TOM & CYNDEE
BROWNERQUAD CITIES REAL ESTATE WITH RE/MAX
SERVING THE ENTIRE IOWA AND ILLINOIS QUAD CITIES ............................................................
DAVENPORT - BETTENDORF - ROCK ISLAND - MOLINE & SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
TOM & CYNDEE
BROWNER
CRS, ABR, GRI, e-PRO - Tom also CRB, MRA
BROKER OWNERS OF RE/MAX BI-STATE - SERVING IOWA & ILLINOIS
1-563-388-0008 Office - 1-563-388-0083 Fax - 1-866-388-0083 Toll Free
1-563-570-7629 Cyndee's Cell - 1-563-355-1616 Home - 1-563-343-1092 Tom's Cell
Have a question? The answer is just a call or e-mail away. Contact us at tom&cyndee@quadcitiesrealestate.com
We are both Accredited Buyers Representatives (Certified Buyer's Agents) we know you want to make the best decision. You want the best home possible for your investment. We know the market, and we work at your pace and not ours. We will guide you through all the forms, take you through the first time buyer programs and/or financing, inspections and explain everything each step of the way. We take care of all the details and problems before they become a problem to you. Call us on our private line at 570-7629 at RE/MAX BI-STATE or Contact us at tom&cyndee@quadcitiesrealestate.com - LOOKING TO SELL? Check out the services an Certified Residential Specialist can mean to you.
WHY USE A REALTOR
It's no secret that the real estate industry has changed. The information highway will change the real estate profession a lot more over the next five years. In fact, it may change more in the next five years than in the previous 50 years. The number of Internet users and real estate web sites are growing everyday. The Net-savvy consumer has officially emerged. Sites like this, remax.com, realtor.com give away information and homes may be viewed on many sites. Even MSN and Yahoo are in the listings business. Many agents find that they have to remind their potential buyers and sellers alike of the services and benefits the real estate professional offers.
"Why do I need a Realtor(R) when all the information I need is online?" It is true that there is a lot of free information out there, however, information without experience is often useless. Buyers have problems. They need assistance in pricing, finding the best property for their needs, getting finance, resolving credit problems, inspections, repairs, offers, counter offers, abstracting, insurance, utilities, closing etc. Every transaction is different and often, only experience can often hold the transaction together. Professional representation will protect the buyer in getting the most home for their money. Buying a house is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make ... Issues often come up at the last minute, such as encroachments and violations, and you'll need someone to help you untangle it all. That person is the Realtor. There are many reasons that one should consider using a real estate professional. One of those is the ability to learn your needs and to direct you to lenders with mortgages that best fit those needs.
The Internet can give buyers a good sense of what kind of house they can get for their money and how much competition there is in the area. But the really important questions are always going to be handled best by the local professional. Questions like neighborhood, schools, appreciation history, neighborhood turn over, historic values in comparison to other neighborhoods... More and more, Buyers are asked to pay a token fee to a Broker. This is like a retainer for Buyer Brokerage Representation. This retainer is usually refunded at closing on listed homes. On For Sale by Owner purchases, it may be refunded or applied towards compensation. Buyer Representation is becoming a national trend. Seller's have had written agreements with their agents and listing companies for years. The contracts spell out the services to be expected and compensation during a specific period. The retainer is like that paid to the attorney, doctor or other professional. It contractually shows that the Broker is hired and must work in the best interest of the Buyer at all times. You have heard the term Pro Bono (FREE). With a free relationship, no fiduciary relationship is established. So contractually, there is no agreement for representation and you all know what a verbal contract is worth, "NOTHING". With Buyer Representation and the inherent responsibilities, many Brokers are using a small retainer as visible proof that a representation contract has been established. This is an on going evolution due to contract law and court cases. Remember, Buyer Representation is only about 8 years old, and does not even exist in some states.
In short, a professional can not only make your transition to a home a pleasant one, but he may also be able to maximize your investment. A good professional looks at your tax situation, anticipated appreciation, resale and other factors. Those rose colored glasses and handful of internet listings may not be in your long term best interest. Sometimes it is just better to let the professional do what he does best. After you have listened to all the pro's and con's, it is still your decision. Professional assistance certainly can't hurt and may save you a tremendous amount of aggravation, time and expense. Representation is not a ticket to steal a home, just insurance that the home you pick is fairly priced for the market and that you have the options to protect yourself in the negotiation, purchase and closing of a home.