Buying a new home? Start with the right real estate agent.

? July 18, 2012Posted in: National, Real Estate

A shortage of new apartment construction has rental rates going through the roof in many Texas cities. At the same time, mortgage rates are still hitting record lows across the country.

Those two bits of information are driving many renters to enter the real estate market. But buying a house can be complicated and confusing, especially for first-time home buyers.

One way to ease the stress of finding a new house is to find the right real estate agent. Realtor.com has several tips to help guide consumers in this area, including some advice on how to evaluate a realtor.

BBB recommends buyers interview several candidates before choosing one to help in their search for a new home. Ask friends and family for references, then check each real estate agent?s BBB Business Review to see his or her history of complaints, BBB rating and more. Ensure each agent is properly licensed.

During the interview process, ask the agent for recommendations from previous clients. Ask how many home buyers the agent has assisted in the last year and the average price of the home purchased. If you?re looking for a bargain, ask about his or her experience with short sales and foreclosures.

In addition, buyers should have a list of needs and wants to discuss with each agent during this process. Discuss your total budget, including down payment, closing costs and other fees, as well as how much you can afford for a monthly payment. If possible, get pre-approved for a mortgage so you have hard numbers to work with.

Be wary of agents who make big promises while asking for little. It?s unlikely they will be able to deliver.

For more tips and information, visit Watch Your Buck, the local blog for BBB Serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin.

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About Amy Fowler

As an investigator for BBB, Amy reviews local businesses who have been accused of bad customer service, poor ethics or downright illegal behavior. When she finds examples of bad business practices that harm consumers, she reports them to the public. Sometimes those reports are simply added to a company?s BBB Business Review so consumers can make informed decisions. In more serious cases, she will write a press release for the BBB website, alert the local news media or write a post for watchyourbuck.com, the blog for BBB Serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin. She started her career in customer service while earning a degree in journalism from the University of North Texas. She moved on to work as a reporter and editor for several local newspapers before coming to BBB. She is passionate both about writing and giving people the information they need to make smart choices for themselves and their families ? two passions that blend perfectly in her work at BBB.

Source: http://www.bbb.org/blog/2012/07/buying-a-new-home-start-with-the-right-real-estate-agent/

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