For Buyers

Investing in Real Estate
I have a truly global customer base. The key to a successful relationship when working with a buyer is information. Nothing more, nothing less. We all have access to the same database (The Multiple Listing Service or MLS as it is commonly known).

True, some properties are sold prior to even reaching the MLS, but they are instances few and far between. Chances are if it’s for sale, it’s in the ’system’.

As a realtor, working with buyers can take up a huge amount of time and often bearing very few results. People love to window shop. It’s no different with Real Estate, especially when it comes to high end examples. There are even realtors who refuse to work with buyers. It’s just a fact of life.

Success relies upon information because building a correct profile of your ‘prospect’ saves everyone time and allows for a truly tailor made service. There are any number of factors that must be taken into consideration when trying to place your buyer(s) into their dream home. In the case of income investors, again a profile must be made. The choice needs to fit, the numbers need to crunch.

I continue to service customers from out of town. Often only flying in for a matter of days. I have to ensure that their time is used wisely, that all properties scheduled to be seen, either match exactly, or are close variants of their true requirements, wants and needs. Get it right, and get it right first time.

Buyers are never charged a fee for our services. Commission is paid by the seller. Here is a partial list of what we provide for you:

Barnettandjames.com Automated Profile Builder (you fill in the spaces, we’ll show you the places)

Automated e-mail alerts directly sent from the MLS, notifying you when new properties come on to the market

Enhance your negotiating power by getting you pre-approved, not just pre-qualified

Upon request we can ‘preview’ properties on your behalf. Supplying additional digital pictures of the areas you couldn’t see…or weren’t meant to!

Complete financial analysis of your intended transaction (historical data, comparable sales, prices per square foot, market data and so on)

Area information: Planned developments or investments that may affect the price of the target property.

Schools, colleges and other educational establishments, as well as all available recreational facilities
Unlike most other associates in the business, I truly am available 24/7

Buying Strategies

Get Pre-Approved, Not Pre-Qualified:
Being pre-approved, not just pre-qualified can put you in the strongest negotiating position possible. Obtain a full approval from a lender, conditioned only upon a contract and satisfactory appraisal. This differs from a pre-qualification in that the information submitted to the lender is verified and underwritten. We’ve seen pre-approval make the difference many times when multiple offers are submitted on a property, even if that pre-approved buyer was offering less money for the home. A seller will feel much more comfortable knowing that financing will not be an issue and that their property can be taken off the market with confidence. Pre-approval can be obtained in a matter of hours (in some cases a few days) and is a powerful weapon all buyers should have at the negotiating table.

Wait for the sale before you buy:
If you have a property to sell, make sure it is sold before selecting a purchase. Contingency contracts rarely work in this market and leave a huge margin for error. At least get a contract on your current property, so you can make the contingency on the close, not the sale. Chances are, If you do make a contingency offer, you’ll likely end up paying more for the property than without one and feel pressured to accept a lower price for your current home. This can end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars. You are much better off selling your current property first.

Don’t waste your time calling Real Estate advertisements:
A large portion of real estate ads are produced solely to make the phone ring and produce a fresh lead. Most calls generated by these types of ads are from unrepresented prospects. A realtors dream! Also, remember the agent who wrote the ad represents the seller, not you. A buyer’s agent will take a neutral standpoint with an eye toward how well it meets your needs, pointing out any drawbacks you should know about. Homes that are sold without a sign ever going up or an ad ever placed are great examples of the power of a buyer’s agent.