Part 3 of 4: The 4 Things Renters Should Know Before Buying
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3. Don’t Be Pushed Into Just Any House
Your agent should show you everything available that meets your requirements. Don’t make a decision on a house until you feel you’ve seen enough to pick the best one. Go to the Multiple Listing Web site with your agent to make sure you are getting a COMPLETE list of homes for sale and not just the home that the agent wants to show you.
In the late 1990’s, homes were selling quickly, usually a few days after listing. In that kind of market, agents advised their clients to make an offer ON THE SPOT if they liked the house. That was good advice at the time. Today, there usually isn’t this urgency unless a home is drastically under priced, and you’ll know if it is. But keep in mind, if you wait too long, there is always a chance of the house selling before your offer is submitted to the seller. If you really like a house, get an offer written and make sure your agent includes the appropriate clauses to get you out of the offer, should the need arise.
Don’t forget to check the SCHOOL DISTRICTS of the area you’re considering. Information is available on every school: class sizes, % of students that go on to college, SAT scores, etc. You can get this information from your agent or directly from the school.
