Shopping for a Home and a Real Estate Agent

A Real Estate Agent A licensed professional qualified to help clients buy and sell property. real estate agent is a licensed professional who helps clients buy, sell or rent property. A Realtor A licensed real estate professional who is a membor of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and is required to follow its strict code of ethics. Realtor® is a real estate agent who is also a member of the National Association of Realtors® and bound by their strict Code of Ethics. A Realtor® also has access to additional resources and education, while a real estate agent is only required to meet their state’s licensing requirements.

If you have a good understanding of the real estate market, local property values and the home buying process, you might feel comfortable working with any licensed real estate agent. If you feel that you would benefit from working with an agent that has a higher standard of conduct and expertise, consider engaging with an agent that is a Realtor®.

You can search for a Realtor® in New Jersey at www.njrealtor.com.

When settling on a location for your new home, consider the things that are most important to you.

• Desired commute time
• Quality of schools
• Proximity to shopping centers
• Public transportation
• Availability of healthcare
• Senior services
• Crime rates
• Neighborhood safety
• Property taxes

Make a wish list of home features that you must have, would like to have, and/or do not want. Some things to consider are

• Type of home
  • Single-family Detached Home A freestanding house on its own property, meaning it does not share any walls with other residences. Single-family detached
  • Condominium A building or complex where each unit is individually owned, while the shared areas like the hallways, grounds, and amenities are jointly owned by all the unit owners. Condominium/Townhouse
  • Multi-family Home A single property that contains two or more separate housing units for different families or individuals. Multi-family
• Size of the house
• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Open-concept floorplan
• Updated kitchen
• Ample storage
• Garage and other parking spaces
• Outdoor space
• Energy efficiency
• Modern systems (HVAC, electric and plumbing)
• Structural integrity and overall condition (roof, foundation, appliances)
• Maintenance needs

You will probably tour multiple homes. To avoid confusion, take notes about the homes that you visit. Your real estate agent can provide you with a description of each property, and you can make notes on each sheet. Compare your notes to your wish list.