When buying or selling a house in San Diego, it is important to understand the key players that you will be working with during the transaction. Some will be extremely helpful, while others simply do their job and move on. It’s imperative to have a clear understanding of who is responsible for what and what their roles are when buying or selling a home. Below are just a few of the important people you will work with when buying or selling a house in San Diego.
Your Agent
The first order of business for most people when buying or selling a home in San Diego is finding a reputable and trustworthy real estate agent. Your agent will help you market, show, and stage the home. They will offer guidance and negotiation services to help you get the best price possible. If your agent builds a relationship with you, they can be a great source of support and guidance throughout the transaction process. When working with an agent to buy or sell a home, make sure to nail down their responsibilities, so you know exactly what to expect. You can ask…
- How will property showings be handled?
- What kinds of marketing are included in your fee?
- Do you have references I may reach out to?
- How long have you been in business?
- When will I be able to view properties?
- What title company do you use?
- What are your ties to the local community?
- Do you provide options other than a traditional listing?
Now keep in mind, not every real estate transaction requires the help of an agent. Buying and selling directly is another route people take, particularly investors who will see it as an opportunity to save money. At Trusted House Buyers, we can work with you directly by offering you a cash offer and taking your home off of your hands within days.
Your Title Rep
Title companies play an instrumental role in any real estate transaction. They will do a vast amount of research on the ownership history, also called a chain of title. They are looking to ensure the title is clean and that nobody else has a claim to the home. A title agent will also confirm the accuracy of the boundary lines and the usage rights. A large part of the title rep’s responsibilities is handling all of the paperwork (and there is a lot) and the legalities. A big part of their job is to ensure everything is in order when you reach the closing table. They’ll issue insurance, to protect the buyer against any issues that arise once the sale is finalized. They also make sure that everything is transferred correctly from the seller to the new buyer.
The Home Inspector
A home inspector will check out the property from top to bottom, noting any problems or defects. A home inspection is typically ordered after an offer has been made, but it can be made beforehand if there are issues. A few areas of particular interest to a home inspector include the roof, plumbing, electrical systems, the foundation, and HVAC systems. Many savvy home sellers will have an inspection done before listing their home so that they can tend to any problems and avoid surprises after their property has hit the market. A licensed home inspector is an integral part of any real estate transaction. When you work with a direct cash buyer, like Trusted House Buyers, there are no inspections to worry about. This can help relieve the stress that can surround the dreaded inspection!
A Lender
Many buyers do not have the cash upfront to buy a house outright. Buyers can reach out to an abundance of lenders to get the money they need to buy a home. Investors don’t often use traditional funding, and instead will use a private lender to secure the money they need to close the deal. Everyone’s financing is different, but make sure you are working with a reputable lender who can also offer you the best rate.
