When the time comes for you to purchase a home, you’ll probably first search for a real estate agent. Real estate agents help you understand the housing market, find homes that suit your lifestyle needs and budget, and connect you with other professionals — like home loan officers — that can help you during the homebuying process. When you set out to find that person, you’ll most likely rely on Internet research and recommendations from friends and family. As you compile your research, it will be helpful to know what you actually want from your real estate agent. Here’s a quick rundown of what your real estate agent should be doing for you.

Your Real Estate Agent Should Synthesize Your Needs and Find Homes that Work for You

One of the most important traits that your real estate agent can have is being a good listener. That’s because a bulk of what your real estate agent does is find ideal home candidates for you, and you specifically. You want to make sure you’re buying a home with features that you actually need, since you’ll be paying for all of them. You may think to yourself, “Okay, I can go on Zillow and look at houses, what do I need an agent for?” A good real estate agent is someone who is familiar with local markets and neighborhoods, and can use this information to find you an ideal home that is within your price range. Their expertise should make things easier for you.

Your Real Estate Agent Should Walk You Through the Process

The homebuying process can be complex, especially for first-time buyers. Your real estate agent should help you through the legalease and alert you to any potential pitfalls before they sneak up on you. Understanding closing costs, mortgage insurance, and the timeline on which you can expect to purchase your home are all important pieces of information to have before proceeding.

A Real Estate Agent Is Also Your Conduit for Other Professionals in the Industry

If it’s your first time buying a home, it’s probably your first time applying for a home mortgage as well. You’ll want to get pre-approved so that you can move quickly on a home that you like. Your real estate agent should be able to connect you to trusted home loan officers that can work with you to understand your specific financial considerations. The same is true of home insurance professionals. A good real estate agent not only does their job well, but they also have a reliable network of professionals who can help you with each phase of the process.

Bill Swanson Is Omaha’s Trusted Real Estate Agent

Bill Swanson has over 25 years of experience helping families buy and sell homes in the Omaha area. As an Omaha native, Bill has an extensive knowledge of the city’s neighborhoods and market conditions. Bill can help you find the right home for your lifestyle and budget, while connecting you to other professionals. Start working with Bill Swanson to purchase a home by contacting his Omaha, NE office at 402-679-6566.