Because I am licensed with one of Charleston's premiere luxury real estate firms, Buyers sometimes assume that a "smaller" sale is not in my wheelhouse or that I don't have the time for a First Time Buyer. To the contrary!
Maybe it's the former counselor in me, but I love working with first time buyers. It wasn't that long ago that I was purchasing my first home, a $200k 2 bed/1 bath charmer in West Ashley. It was 2008. I was 27, fresh out of graduage school and back in Charleston. While this was years before I would get into real estate as a career, the decision to buy then had lasting positive impacts, and it is from this place that I love to help other first time buyers navigate the buying process.
Please reach us at leize@williammeans.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
The agent whose name is on a sign is the exclusively representing the seller of that home. While the seller's agent is required to treat you, a prospective buyer/customer, with honesty and fairness, their job is to represent the best interests of the seller.
On the other hand, when you work with a Buyers’ Agent, your agent’s duty is to you and your interests.
Setting up a showing is the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to a Buyers' Agent job. Learn more about what Leize will do for you as your Buyers' Agent.
Historically, Buyer Agents have most typically been paid out of the Sellers' proceeds at Closing. To be more specific, with the proceeds of the sale, the Seller would pay their Listing Agent's company, then the Listing Agent's company would pay the Buyer Agent's company, and the individual Buyer Agent would be paid a portion of this by their company.
However, with the NAR Settlement in spring 2024, this model is currently in flux, and there could be some changes associated with Buyer Agent compensation coming later in 2024 (as early as July 2024). Visit this page for the latest on these developments, and feel free to email to discuss specifics on hiring Leize as your Buyers' agent.
I generally recommend that buyers start looking approximately 4-6 months before your ideal purchase date. Looking early can give you an opportunity to ease into the home-viewing process and also will allow you to get a sense of the market (what’s available, prices) before you are in it “for real.”
On average, the time from contract to close for homes in the Charleston market is about 5-6 weeks. This timeline can be shorter, but if you are getting mortgage, most banks ask for at least 4-5 weeks to process a loan, though many will do it in 30 days to help their buyer lendees compete with cash buyers who can close quickly. Contract-to-close timeline can also be longer, but sellers typically like to keep the timeline as short as possible.
Usually, a buyer takes possession at closing which means that, as of closing, the house is yours! Occasionally, buyer and seller may agree to allow the seller to stay in the house past closing or for the buyer to have access before closing, but these types of arrangements are less common.
As soon as possible! Or, at least before you go out seriously looking at homes. A mortgage lender will “pre-qualify” you, and this is helpful for a few reasons:
I am happy to provide my clients referrals, and friends and family can also be a great resource.
I've got you! As my client, I will usher you through the process from pre-showing to post-closing. Learn more about the value of an experienced Buyer Agent here.
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