When buying or selling a house in Milwaukee, you will work with all sorts of interesting and talented people. Some will be extremely helpful, while others simply do their job and move on. It’s important 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 Milwaukee.
#1 – Your Real Estate Agent
For many, hiring a real estate agent or Realtor is an important part of the buying or selling process. The agent traditionally helps market, show and stage your property. They generally offer you guidance and negotiating services to help you get the absolute best price possible. They’ll be a source of support. And they’ll answer your questions and help you through the tough parts. A truly speical agent will build a relationship with you and help you with all of your real estate needs today and into the future. When working with an agent to sell or buy a house, make sure to nail down their responsibilities, so you know exactly what to expect.
You should always ask the following items…
- How will my property showings be handled?
- Will you be the one showing me houses, or will it be someone else from your office?
- What kinds of marketing methods are included in your fees?
- Do you have any references I may reach out to?
- How long have you been in the real estate business?
- Do you specialize in the Milwaukee area?
- How quickly will I be able to view properties when I find ones I like?
- Do you have a preferred title company that you use?
- What are your ties to the local community and how long have you been active in real estate here?
- Do you provide non-conventional real estate options other than just a traditional listing?
Keep in mind, not every transaction requires the help of a licensed real estate agent or Realtor. Buying and selling directly is another route people take, particularly investors who will see it as an opportunity to save money. If you are hiring a real estate agent in Milwaukee, do your homework and make sure you align with a good one!
#2 – Your Title Representative
Title companies play an critical role in any and all real estate transactions. They will do a vast amount of research on the property’s ownership history, also known as 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. Handling all legalities and paperwork is a big part of your title rep’s role. A big part of their job is to ensure everything is in order when you reach the closing table. They’ll issue insurance which protects the buyer against any issues that may arise once the home sale is finalized. They will also make sure that everything is transferred correctly from the seller to the new buyer.
#3 – The Home Inspector
The home inspector will check out the property from top to bottom, noting any problems, issues or defects that might exist with the house. A home inspection can be ordered before or after you make your offer. 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 are proactive and have the inspection done prior to listing their property so that they can tend to any problems and avoid surprises after their property has hit the market. A licensed home inspector can be an integral part of any real estate transaction.
#4 – The Mortgage Lender
Many buyers do not have the cash upfront to buy a house outright without getting approved for a mortgage. 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. No matter how you choose to finance, make sure you’re working with a highly-rated lender, who can also offer you a good interest rate.
#5 – The Mortgage Servicer
After a mortgage is taken out with a lender, it is often times transferred to a third company for management. This will be who the mortgage payment is sent to each month and who you will contact if you have questions about your mortgage loan.
Working With WEBUYWI.com
Working with WEBUYWI.com allows buyers and sellers a very unique experience when selling or buying real estate. We have the ability to offer multiple options to the clients we work with which makes us different from your traditional tranaction. We can help you find properties that are listed on MLS and also present wholesale off-market opportunities that can save you money. When selling a house, we can present you with a variety of options. That way we can work together to help select the one that will best help you reach your goals.
Are you thinking about buying or selling a house in Milwaukee? WEBUYWI.com can provide you with all of the resources and information you need. We’ll help you explore all of your options, making it easy for you to reach your real estate goals. Give us a call today to learn more about our company and what we are offering to real estate buyers and sellers in the Milwaukee area. 414-937-5655