Let’s imagine you are driving around and see a street sign of a property for sale that calls your attention, including new construction, a used house, a commercial building, a farm, or a lot of vacant land. Or you are reading a favorite magazine or newspaper and see the ad of a property for sale with some photos, price, and brief description; or you see such ad online (e.g., Facebook or a website).

Certainly, you may have various possible reasons to want to know more about that property being advertised for sale:

1) You are merely curious about the price, size, etc. because it is located in a great area and/or it seems to have some qualities that you want in a property. Although not interested in buying it, you may want to know more just to add it to your “dreams box”.

2) You want to know more about the property because you own a similar one and/or close by and would like to compare price and, thus, have an idea of what your property may be worth.

3) You are truly interested because have already been thinking about buying a property like this and/or in that area.

Well, if reasons 1) or 2) are the case, contacting the listing agent may fulfill your curiosity. However, if you are thinking that such property could be what you really want, your next move could be in your best or worst interest. Let's see the two options:

A) Contact the listing agent, who would have limited duties to you or, at most, represent you (as the buyer) and the seller with limited duties to both in the transaction; hence, he/she would have limited confidentiality with the seller and you.                                                                                                        

                             Or

B) Find a real estate agent to represent you exclusively. Then, his/her duties would be only to you. 

Unfortunately, because most people have a poor understanding of how the real estate business works, the first immediate thought of most potential buyers of real estate when seeing a property of interest being advertised for sale (on the street or any printed or digital media) is to contact the listing agent by phone or email. This is the exact first reaction to contacting/visiting a store or dealership that is advertising any other item they may be interested in buying, like a pair of shoes, a laptop, or a car. 

What to do, then? After thinking that such a property may be the one you have been dreaming of and want to give a shot, the strategy should be different. If you decide to contact the property’s listing agent, it should be ONLY to confirm that the real estate is still available for sale and to get some additional information: size, year it was built, price, etc. And, if after learning all that you are still interested in the property and/or if the listing agent asks at any point of the conversation if there is a real estate agent already representing you, say “I ALREADY HAVE AN AGENT”; and add that you will pass him/her the information of this property… Even if not having hired an agent, yet. Why? Because:

+ Hiring a real estate agent to represent you as a buyer gives you a great advantage in the whole process. Check out the list of services a real estate agent representing buyers can provide them with (see the list in three paragraphs below).

+ Avoiding hiring a real estate agent to buy a property will eliminate the opportunity to have a professional in this field working with your best interest in mind. It would be comparable to deciding to go on a safari in Africa without an expert guide in the area who knows well the behavior of the most dangerous animals there and where they are found; you will most likely get lost or not return. 

+ A real estate agent has more knowledge and experience in these transactions than most people do, so it is worth hiring one. 

Now, what specific services can a real estate agent provide a buyer with? 

1. Searching in-depth property information from different sources.

2. Preparing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to ensure the property is priced correctly.

3. Finding alternative properties that also meet the buyer’s needs.

4. Assisting the buyer with the negotiation process, structuring and presenting offers with specific amounts, contract contingencies, and terms.

5. Guiding the buyer during the purchase process and ensuring all stages move in a timely manner toward the closing.

6. Recommending different professionals/companies that may facilitate the process (lenders, home or farm inspectors, surveyors, etc.).

7. Representing a buyer in a real estate transaction, which is often the highest-priced item a person purchases in life.

In summary, when planning to purchase real estate (whether it’s a new construction or used home, a farm, or just land), find a licensed agent that you trust and let him/her use all the knowledge, skills, and resources to represent you.  

When you feel ready to buy property in Ocala (FL) and surrounding areas, contact us at (352)266-2782  or  [email protected]

           We are ambassadors of Ocala’s fabulous lifestyle to the world!

We will be happy to offer a professional and personalized service to help you find and buy the best possible property for your money that will provide you and your family (and your horses, maybe) with a sound environment to continue to grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

YouDeserveOcala.com  2801 SW College Rd Suite#10, Ocala, FL 34474