Tips for new buyers
My husband and I have been looking for a home since May. We have written at least six offers and have faced endless frustrations -- until recently, when it all changed.
Our golden ticket was changing Realtors. In this market, it is vital to find a Realtor who can show you properties the day they are listed and has a small client roster. After working a vast majority of the time with one of Bakersfield's larger brokerages, we realized our Realtor was overextended.
Another thing that helped us immensely was finding an REO property in which the bank was not local and familiar with the current market -- remember, outside of Bakersfield the housing market is slow almost everywhere else.
Lastly, don't rely on your Realtor to do all of your research for you and don't be afraid to ask questions. Check up on your offers often. After all, to you this is your home and your livelihood, to your Realtor, it's a business.
ROBYN LADD
Bakersfield
