Saving money by working with a Realtor

With the burgeoning numbers of home buying shows on television, more and more first time home buyers may be lured into thinking they don't need the services of a qualified realtor. Just find a foreclosure, gut it or renovate it, and voila'!  A perfect home. If only life were as simple as portrayed on TV. The reality is just a tad different.  When dealing with real estate, such as a home or condo, experience is key. Knowing the area, understanding the market and values, and being able to recognize potential pitfalls are all a part of a savvy realtor's skill-set.  This expertise comes from years of involvement in real estate in a given location. When looking to purchase a home in a given area, such as Grand Junction Colorado, selecting a realtor who has a proven local track record is a boon.  Working with a realtor can not only narrow down the number of homes you visit to just those that meet your needs, it can also save you loads of money. The realtor will work for your best interests. Their experience includes affiliations with other professionals, such as mortgage brokers, lenders, and home inspectors. Each of these associations can help save you time and money that might be spent hunting for the best prices, most  reputable professionals needed for your purchase. It will also reduce your stress dramatically knowing you don't have to handle every facet of the process alone. Realtors will listen to your needs and concerns as well.  By letting them know what you are hoping for in a home (three bedrooms, split-level, swimming pool, fireplace, location, design, price range), they will set to work to assemble a wide range of options to show you. They will tour the homes alongside you, providing information and answering your questions gladly. Many times they will also verify legal issues, such as making sure that garage out back was properly permitted or that swimming pool light meets current electrical code requirements. All of these value-added services can make your life, as a first-time home buyer, much less intimidating and stressful.  Additionally, realtors can spot signs of neglect or impending disasters in homes. They are more likely to notice a foundation crack, water or mold issue, or even a neighborhood in decline. They will do the research for you on the best school districts, best value for the dollar, and other issues that can make home buying simpler and safer for you.  By steering you clear of  pitfalls and assisting you through the maze of options and processes involved in purchasing your home, a realtor truly does work for you and can save you both money and heartache. By keeping an open line of communication between the home buyer and the realtor,  you will have the ability to ask questions,  get answers, learn about homes and the real estate market, and successfully find and fall in love with your first home.  If in the market for a home in the Grand Junction, CO area, consider the expert services of  The First Time Home Buyer Guy.