Written by Wena Roeloffze I Real Estate Consultant and Lifestyle Expert I Owner of Realty Club 74 I Brokered by Coldwell Banker Realty

Updated 7 May 2024

With evolving technology and information at your finger tips, do you need to work with a Realtor?

The answer depends on what you need, where you are and how you are planning to purchase a home. In this article we will explore what realtors do for Buyers and the reasons why you would choose to work with a Realtor, whether you are a local buyer, out-of-state, out-of-country or iBuyers.

Introduction to Mortgage and Renovation Lenders

Realty Club 74 knows from experience that every transaction and Buyer require different solutions. We have worked with quite a few lenders and know exactly who will benefit the transaction and your needs the best. We network and talk about rates, the types of per-approval letters and what services they offer to benefit different scenarios.

We have mortgage lenders for Buyers who is only 2 years in business, we have connections for out-of-state Buyers, know who to contact for international relocation and transfer of credit checks and can even assist with saving for down payments. See my blog about how to get money for a down payment.

Ever saw a home in a great area which needed some TLC, but couldn’t afford the renovation? If the home has good bones or not and you see the possibilities of a renovation as a occupied owner, we have a lender to roll your renovation and mortgage loan all into one. For FHA, VA and Conventional.

Reason to work with a Realtor: We introduce you to the right local lender for your requirements to save you on closing fees, closing time, help you with saving for a down payment or get you a renovation loan.

Professional Consultation

Buying a home, a second home or an investment home is no small feat. House hunting is definitely not for the faint of heart! When we consult with you, it is crucial that you know we are not just simply loading your email inbox with new listings. We are carefully selecting and curating, the RIGHT home for you. We put ourselves in your shoes and act as if it is our own money to get the results that will help you build equity, buy something of value and avoid you being house-poor.

We go in-depth to make sure our house hunting adventure is a great experience together. We want you to see the homes that make practical, financial and emotional sense. And then make an offer which is totally in line with your monthly budget and your requirements.

Reason to work with a Realtor: We provide you with the best listings per our consultation and make recommendations to meet all your requirements.

Research Comparable Properties

Contrary to what Zillow is making consumers believe, real estate agents are NOT glorified door openers! When homes get listed on the MLS system, all agents can see the new listing, book showings on your behalf and are then provided codes to access the property at a showing. But behind the scenes, before anyone gets there, your agent will know what similar properties are selling for because they are doing CMA’s to advise you on the best options. 

A professional real estate buyer’s agent will always know the area, know similar home prices and be prepared to discuss list price vs sold homes, know how to find homes in your budget and how to spot overpriced homes to negotiate with.

Reason to work with a Realtor: We provide background information, have knowledge of similar priced properties and can spot overpricing.

In Person or Virtual Showings

After making appointments for showings, your agent will meet you at the respective home/(s). The allotted time slot will be anything from 30 minutes to an hour. The time spent at each home is for you to get a feel for the home and do a visual assessment of the interior and exterior (where possible). Living in Wisconsin can mean that you are not always able to walk about to evaluate the snow-covered roof or garden.

During the showing, things may come up as good, not so good or not of interest. There is NO perfect home without flaws and repairs in the whole wide world! When buying a home, understand that you are buying a second-hand item (unless it is a new constructed home). There will always be something to fix, something you don’t like and something you would want to change. That is completely normal. Touring a home with your realtor is to make sure all your requirements are met, you love the feel of the home and nothing you see scares you.

Virtual showings became so huge since Covid-19, but Realty Club 74 has been doing virtual video tours for out-of-state and out-of-country Buyers for much longer. Ask about our virtual tours and how we can provide a floorplan of the property.

Reason to work with a Realtor: We walk you through the home and answer all questions. While you look where the dining room table will stand, we look at walls, structures, roof, ceilings, etc.

Draft and Present Offers

After 40 showings or just one, you fall in love with a specific home and it ticks all the boxes. You can see yourself living there and feel very excited to make an offer. The terms and conditions of your offer will be confirmed and those will be drafted in your offer to purchase. Since every property and offer are unique, there is no definite list we can make here on what your agent will advise, provide or draft. This will be the first time that you will actually know if your agent is slightly more than a glorified door opener. LOL! And since Wisconsin is not an attorney state, your agent has limited law abilities to draft legal agreements. When all the terms and conditions are drafted as per your instructions, the documents land in your agent’s inbox and he/she will be presenting your offer to the listing agent.

Reason to work with a Realtor: We are experienced in drafting contracts and contingencies to make sure your interests as our client are protected. We know the market, current trends in seller requests and what terms and conditions can make your offer accepted.

Full Support

Your offer has been presented and now you have an accepted offer from the seller, a counter offer, or perhaps a rejected offer. Let’s keep things moving along with an accepted offer, which means, now you are in the process of purchase. There are set deadlines and dates your agent will give you to make sure between you and the seller, you comply to the terms and conditions you both agreed upon. At this point so much is going on behind the scenes without you realizing. It is almost like a movie production, but with one difference – there are no second takes. Your trusted door opener just became a project manager (or Home Buying Coordinator, as I like to call it), so that you can reach the closing table on time, with as little stress as possible.

Reason to work with a Realtor: We make sure that all deadlines are met, all contingencies, terms and conditions are fulfilled to keep the transaction flowing.

Home Inspections

Your agent accompanies you to the home inspection and/or tests and you should be there too. It could be the best time of your life to learn about your new home. If you are short on time, ask your agent to recommend a team of home inspectors, instead of relying on one person. I know the urge is strong to invite your family and friends to join in and prepare a quiz for the home inspector. But just hang in there for a moment and rather bring a measuring tape, a notepad and pen to jot down notes. Your agent would have prepared you for the outcome of the report and discuss defects, general maintenance and repairs with you. At the end of the inspection, the inspector and agent will do a summary and will advise on any amendments, defects, deferred costs or the worst-case scenario - to run away.

Reason to work with a Realtor: Together with the home inspector, we highlight potential problems, normal wear and tear and/or maintenance issues. We draft amendments per the inspection report recommendations.

Lender and Appraiser Support

With the home inspection and other tests completed and those contingencies marked off the list, you now move on to the next general step, which is financing and appraisal. If we slightly take a step back for a moment, your agent would have sent all the offer documents to your lender on the acceptance date. If your offer was accepted at some ungodly hour or over a weekend, it would’ve arrived on your lender’s table the next business day.

Realty Club 74 understands the urgency of getting in touch with your lender to make sure the appraisals are ordered well in advance. In fact, we are so preoccupied with your transaction, that we will provide a floorplan to the lender so that the appraiser will have more information about the home and may be able to perform a desktop appraisal, which means that he/she will do an appraisal without seeing the property in person. Which in turn means a quick turn-around and a fast closing for all parties concerned.

Reason to work with a Realtor: We handle the behind-the-scenes nitty-gritty, so that the transaction is flowing smoothly and everything gets done before deadline times. Which in turn helps you to concentrate on packing, changing addresses and organizing your personal and business life.

Closing Table

Your agent will make sure the underwriter and title companies have everything to close: from getting invoices for repairs from the listing agent, organizing your final walk through, scheduling your closing and making sure you have everything you need with regards to this transaction.

And now you sit at the closing table with your new home keys in your hand and a sore wrist from signing papers from 2 trees, with a smiling agent across from you. It will be my guess that you are super happy with your agent’s work and that you are equally happy to have chosen such a great professional to assist you through the process.

Reason to work with a Realtor: We are your trustworthy partner to assist you in getting to the closing table and BE at your side from beginning to end. We value your time and nothing is left to chance.

Continuing Resource and Support

Your agent will feel as good as you and will continue to be a resource for all of your home needs. Needless to say, you are now “tied” to your agent and he/she will stay in contact with you and serve your family and friends with the same enthusiasm, energy and professionalism.

Reason to work with a Realtor: We are in the relationship and trust business to make sure your future questions about maintenance, home appreciation value, and everything else real estate related is looked after well. After making the biggest purchase of your life, you need the same trustworthy person to assist you with purchasing a bigger home, the dream home, the forever home, downsize or lease your property.

I know there is much more advanced technology out there which makes this process almost sound outdated. If you are, however, living here in the friendly Midwest, this is the old-fashioned way we do things. We still close in person for the most part and sign a stack of papers. If you feel more adventurous and modern, we do cater for all types of buyers. Just let us know what you need.

Feel free to comment and share your thoughts. If you want to know what our clients say about us, go to our testimonial page to read more about us.