What is a Buyer Consultation and How Can it Save Time and Money?

 

Have you been thinking about buying a home but don’t know where to begin? Do you have questions about homeownership but are not quite ready to buy? If you’ve been unsure about your next steps, a buyer consultation with a seasoned realtor on our team will help you understand the purchase process, streamline your search and save you time and money. The Greater Boston real estate market is one of the most desirable, fast-paced, and competitive in the country. To find and win your dream home, you’ll need a proven strategy that begins with a consultation. 

Over the past 20 years, our team has helped hundreds of people find the perfect home. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned homeowner, we’ll help you develop a winning strategy based on your needs and interests.  Taking some time to identify your needs upfront will make the process less stressful and save time and money later. In every consultation, we’ll review 6 essential steps.

From the initial search to closing, we will take the time to review each step in the process. Before we visit properties together, we’ll listen to your requirements, discuss the type of home, neighborhood, price range, and the timeline for your search. We’ll help you identify an attorney, lender, and other professionals who can support you each step of the way. The purchase process is multi-faceted and will vary depending on your requirements and market conditions.

The Greater Boston area has always had a limited supply of desirable condos and single-family homes. With a tight supply of homes on the market and buyer activity surging, competition for existing homes will continue to be a major concern. 

 

Once we understand your requirements, we’ll discuss the special characteristics of each neighborhood.  When evaluating a neighborhood, you’ll want to consider commuting time, schools, access to green space, and shopping. We’ve become intimately aware of each neighborhood’s strengths and can help you make an informed decision.

Before beginning your search, one of the first steps is to discuss financing and get a mortgage pre-approval for a home loan. We work with some of the best lenders in the industry and can refer you to a seasoned professional. The mortgage broker will review your income and credit history to determine how much a bank will be willing to lend you. We will use the pre-approval to establish a price range for your search. With mortgage rates near all-time lows, there may never be a better time to buy a home.

Most buyers begin their search online but the process can be cumbersome and time-consuming.  There’s a lot to consider when buying a new home and each situation is unique. We’ll work with you to identify your “must-haves” and any items that are on your wish list so that you’ll find the very best home for your needs. While you can edit your search criteria at any time, articulating your preferences up-front will save time and money in the long run. Once we have defined your search criteria, we’ll use the latest digital technology to bring properties to your attention as soon as they hit the market.

From exclusive, sophisticated search technology and access to pre-market inventory, we’ll provide tools that have been specifically designed to help you find the perfect home. 

 

Search will provide you with a real-time marketing inventory tailored to your price range and required features. We can alert you as soon as new homes hit the market.

 

Collections, our exclusive interactive tool for buyers and sellers, lets you compare features, amenities, and neighborhoods in a well-designed easy to navigate web-based format.  You’ll have access to real-time market activity and be able to communicate with us directly. 

 

Coming Soon offers pre-market homes that are only available on Compass.com. You may discover your perfect home before it hits the general market. 

 

Private Exclusives provide access to homes that may never hit the open market. Through our nationwide network of agents, we have access to exclusive, private inventory that you won’t find on Zillow, Trulia, or other brokerage sites. Clients have trusted Compass agents to discreetly market these homes exclusively to buyers working with our brokerage.

We keep our fingers on the pulse of the market by monitoring recent sales activity in real-time and will keep you well informed every step of the way. We will provide you with an educated and informed view of the market as we negotiate the final offer on your behalf.  We will help you create an offer that can stand up to competitive multiple offer situations. Powered by real-time data and years of market experience we can ensure that you’ll find the right home at the right price. 

 

Whether you’re just starting to think about buying or are ready to actively search for a home, a buyer consultation should provide the knowledge you need to take the next steps. After meeting with a realtor, you’ll have a better understanding of the home purchase process and the actions you’ll need to take. Scroll down to contact us to discuss your real estate goals in person or virtually. We offer a variety of virtual services to buyers and sellers and are happy to meet with you online at your convenience. Our buyer consultations are free and there’s never an obligation. We have helped hundreds of people find the perfect home and promise the same level of commitment and service to you. We would be happy to help you find your dream home.

Published July 2020 and Updated April 2021