Suzette Peoples\’s Blog

So you have decided that you do need a Realtor to represent your best interest in purchasing your next home. First make sure the Realtor you decided on has years of experience, knows the market your searching in  ,has the ABR(Accredited Buyers Rep.) designation, and is a full-time Realtor. You also want to make sure they are designated as a Realtor(member of National Assoc. of Realtors). The designations are important because they are licensed by the State and affiliated with a National organization. They are also required to continuous Education and a  need a license to practice Real Estate. It does not mean they have to work for a National Franchise, they can be Independent Broker too. Make sure the Realtor gives you all the correct forms of representation, disclosures and all other important information you need to be aware of when buying your next home. There  are disclosures about sex offenders, minerals rights, tax prorations, Title Insurance, annexation, environmental concerns,inspections,HOA’s, flood insurance, Home insurance(CLUE reports), home warranties and school boundaries just to name a few. Your Realtor should be educated in all these areas and or know the right sources to refer you to the answers to these concerns. They all can effect the value of the home you hope to purchase. You also want to make sure they know the market and the values on the neigborhood. See if they have sold homes in the area your looking for. Do they know builders and the different floors plans. Do they know about the amenities of the neighborhood, the market trends, the values increasing or decreasing, just to name a few. Do they know  if the home your looking for is in the highest price or lowest price of the neighborhood? Do they know  of future growth/developement in the neighborhood? What about financing? Do they have any expereince with  Lenders? Do they have any training in the Lending process?  The Realtor you want to represent you must know how to negotiate in your  behalf. Make sure you understand their style as they are going to write the offer with your best interest in mind. Remember, they are the ones speaking/negotiating for your best  deal.  I always say you get what you pay for. Get the best Realtor who has the experience and the knowledge of the Real Estate market your looking to buy in. It can and does make a difference. No Realtors are not all the same. Hire the best and weed out the rest!

Ok, you decided to buy your first home. You have been looking at the internet for weeks and you think your ready to start looking. What do you do first? Call the Realtor that has the house you saw on the internet? Call your friend that just bought a house with a Realtor? Look in the paper for the Realtor with the most homes for sale in the area you are looking at? Drive the neighborhood your looking in and see which Realtor has the most signs in the yards? Contact a lender and see who they recommend? Ask a Co-worker who they used as their Realtor?

Actually most buyers do almost one or all of these things. There is nothing wrong with any of these ways to “find” a Realtor. The most important and crucial step is what you do next. You must interview the Realtor to decide which one will look out for your best interest. Which one has the most experience in working with Buyers. Which one has the knowledge of Real Estate and knows how to put that knowledge to your best benefit. Most Professional Realtors will have a “Resume” for you with all their credentials and experience. They should even have references to give you to contact too. This should all be available on their web site. You should meet them in person. See if they have time to really take care of you. It is just like hiring someone to do a job for you. You are hiring them to do the job of finding you the right home in the right neighborhood at the right price and getting all the paperwork/process done correctly. Please make sure you hire the best, after all,  it is one of the most important decisions in your life time. Let’s make it the best one!

Let my Real Estate experience from  Marketing/Selling all types of homes, from Foreclosures to new homes to resale.  I can  help you with all your Real Estate needs. There is no such thing as a dumb question. I am here to help educate the consumer and other Realtors so we can make Real Estate a more Professional environment for everyone’s benefit. I may not have all the answers but the experience I do have is 20 years worth as a successful Real Estate Professional. Ranked in the top 1% of all Re/Max Realtors Nationwide. Broker Designation, E-Pro, GRI, and ABR designations too.  Living and working in the Fort Bend County area for over 25 years. I have sold homes in all over the neighborhoods  of Fort Bend County. I know the area. I know the market.  Look forward to sharing my experience with you.

Welcome to Suzette Peoples’s Blog! This blog will provide you with valuable information, tips, and general insight into the real estate market in sugar land.