It can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to start in the buying process. But you don't need to fret, Sold By Starkey has all the resources you need!
Download our free buyers' resource guide, and let us help ease your stress throughout the buying process.
That agent works for the seller, not you. Simply put, the agent selling the home is contractually obligated to do what’s best for the seller. That agent is a professional who knows the ins and outs of the local market. Going it alone when the other party to the transaction has a professional working on their side is like a casual golfer playing against Tiger Woods. If that agent represents both the buyer and seller, they’re just a paper-pusher and unable to offer any expertise.
Appraisals, Inspections, Negotiations -- Oh My! Your buyer’s agent has a wealth of industry knowledge to inform every decision you make, so they don’t come back to haunt you. Every transaction is slightly different -- every single one. There’s nothing on the internet for that.
Open Houses are a great way to get an idea of what’s on the market, or preview homes without your agent, BUT be sure to tell the agent hosting the open house that you already have an agent, and beware if they push you in a different direction.
Not likely. Most sellers have negotiated the commission percentage with their listing agent to include both sides of the commission. Most often, if you don’t have an agent it just means the Listing Agent will make more, not the seller.
That on-site agent works for the builder and is contractually obligated to do what’s best for the builder. When a builder encourages you to move forward without an agent you should always question their motivation in that statement. Without an expert involved they get away with a lot more.
If our services will cost you anything, we’ll let you know first! The overwhelming majority of the time, we are compensated by the listing agent via a cooperation agreement that is a part of our membership in the MLS.
The fee you pay directly to the seller to take the home of the market while you do inspections, obtain financing, etc. NO MATTER WHAT, YOU DO NOT GET THIS BACK!
This money comes into play after the Due Diligence date has passed. Should you find yourself unable to close on the home after the Due Diligence date, the seller will keep this fee as well. (Typically the DD and the EM fee total roughly 1% of the price of the home, but the market dictates what is viewed as appropriate amounts, and the current market is trending MUCH higher on these fees.)
A licensed home inspector will inspect the property and identify items of concern, as well as advise if additional inspections are needed (~$300-$500)
Termite Inspection (~$100)
Radon Test (~$150)
Occasionally the Home Inspector will advise an additional inspection – for example, a well & septic inspection, a structural engineer, a mold technician, etc (Prices vary)
This identifies the specific lot lines, and any encroachments, or easements; can sometimes be paid at closing. (~$450)
Your lender can tell you how much
to expect in closing costs.
While all inspections and tests are optional, the Sold By Starkey Team VERY STRONGLY ENCOURAGES that buyers do not skip any recommended inspection. Should you choose to forego a suggested inspection we may ask that you put in writing that we recommended otherwise.
The Sold by Starkey team knows how to navigate the Triangle area real estate market like no other. We have firsthand, local expertise on how and where to find the best available homes—which may be why our listings only spend an average of nine days on the market, a statistic well below the Triangle average.
