How a Realtor Can Help You With Homesite Selection and Purchasing
You may think that Realtors are only needed when you're buying a currently existing home. However, many Realtors are also experienced in helping buyers who want to build their own homes. Here are some of the ways a Realtor can help you with selecting and buying a home.
1. Uncovering property information
Your Realtor will be able to search the properties you're considering online and find out critical information about them. Some of the information that could affect whether or not a property is suitable for your homesite include:
- Mineral rights
- Access easements
- Septic compatibility
- Electrical availability
- Drinking water availability
- Wetland areas or flood zones
2. Viewing the property to check for red flags
While sellers are supposed to disclose any issues with the property, some may not be as honest as they should be. In addition, the seller may not realize that the property isn't suited to your plans if they've never tried to build on the property themselves. Asking an expert to view the site with you can be invaluable.
While your Realtor won't likely be able to detect, say, underground gophers or a high water table during a viewing, they do know some red flags to look out for. Ideally, you'll want to work with a Realtor who specializes in land and homesites, since they'll have the most experience in this area.
3. Helping you understand the market
A homesite in one location may cost much more than a homesite at a less desirable location. Choosing the second one doesn't necessarily mean you'd get a better deal since what you're buying isn't worth as much. Your Realtor can help you understand the relative values of different properties and which ones are most likely to be a great investment for the future.
4. Negotiating a better deal
Negotiating can be a delicate dance once you've found a property you want. Realtors know how to identify any leverage you have and use it to get a better deal (for instance, by offering the seller something that would benefit them, in a trade that would also benefit you).
5. Making sure paperwork is all in order
With all their experience closing real estate deals, your Realtor will know just how the paperwork ought to look. They can help ensure there's no funny business, careless omissions, or other potential issues with any of the paperwork involved in the transaction.
These are just a few of the ways that a Realtor can help you out when you're on the hunt for a buildable homesite. Get in touch with a local Realtor today to learn more.