Murrieta Real Estate Choosing a Real Estate Agent for your Murrieta Home. Back to Communities - Murrieta Homes

Real Estate Agents

You should think about whether or not you want to use a real estate agent. While you do not necessarily need an agent to buy a Murrieta home, using one is an excellent idea.

All of the details involved in home buying can be overwhelming, particularly the legal and financial ones. A good real estate agent can guide you through the process and make the experience easier. A real estate agent will be well-informed about the Murrieta real estate you are considering—the quality of the schools, the number of children, safety, traffic, parking, etc. The real estate agent can help you determine the price range you can afford and search the ads and multiple listing services for Murrieta homes that fit your needs.

Real estate agents have immediate access to homes going on the market, so they can save you time. When you are ready to make an offer, the real estate agent can help you structure the deal so that you save money. He or she will guide you through the intricacies of all the mortgage options, walk you through the paperwork and answer last-minute questions at the closing.

As the buyer, you do not have to pay the real estate agent; the home seller pays the agent. Many buyers hesitate to use an agent because they have the misconception that they will bear the expense.

Finding an Agent

There are many ways to choose a Murrieta real estate agent, If you go to our Murrieta Homes section, one of our agent's would be happy to assist you. Otherwise, start by asking for recommendations from family and friends. Talk to an agent at a Sunday open house. Compile a list of possibilities and talk to each one after checking their references. Look for an agent who:

• listens to you and shows an interest in ?nding the type of Murrieta home best suited to you and your needs;
• is familiar with the area you are considering and can point out a broad range of prices within that area;
• has a network of resources available;
• answers your questions completely and clearly; be certain that the agent is willing to clarify and rede?ne terms you do not understand; and
• is comfortable for you to work with.

Real Estate Attorneys

Most states, including California do not require a lawyer when buying a home but do require the involvement of a qualified real estate professional, such as an escrow agent or a title company. However, some states require a lawyer to assist with some aspects of the sale, such as closing. Specifically, nine states–Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, South Carolina, Vermont and West Virginia–mandate that closing a mortgage is the practice of law and must be handled by an attorney to protect the consumer.

Even if you are not required to hire one, a lawyer can represent you in negotiating the contract or clarifying aspects of the deal. Hiring a lawyer to review the real estate sales contract, particularly if anything is even slightly out of the ordinary, also may be a wise decision. In addition, the lawyer will be familiar with the situation in the event that there is a dispute.

In certain circumstances, using an attorney can be very helpful. For example, people who buy condominiums or townhouses should read and understand the conditions, covenants and restrictions (CC&Rs) that pertain to their ownership interest. Reading a CC&R can be daunting, and turning to an attorney to explain the important elements of the document is the safest way to go. You do not want to discover later that your ownership rights are restricted in an unacceptable way. Also, many condominium associations are involved in pending litigation. You will want an attorney's opinion of the probable outcome of the litigation before you buy into an association that may have problems.

In general, having an attorney to call upon can be a prudent move. It is always best to err on the side of gathering too much information rather than not enough. You may want to ask an attorney to help prepare an offer, review the offer and/or counteroffer and represent you at the closing. Remember, however, that attorneys usually charge by the hour, so ask in advance how much you can expect to pay for a consultation.

If you prepare an offer using a standardized contract, add a contingency rider that requires the offer contract to be subject to review and approval by your attorney within 5 days of the seller's acceptance. Be sure the contingency clause is written in such a way that an unfavorable review by the attorney allows you to revoke the purchase offer. This contingency rider should be in addition to, not instead of, the home inspection contingency clause, which provides you a way out of the contract if the inspection reveals real problems.

Finding an Attorney

If you decide to use an attorney, be sure that you find someone who specializes in Murrieta real estate. Again, friends and family are often good sources for names of real estate attorneys, but you also can ask your general attorney or real estate agent for a recommendation.

If you need any information on Murrieta Real Estate or Property please check our Murrieta Homes section on this website or contact us at any time.