Buying a home in the Twin Cities

Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area and beyond

I will tell you what is wrong with a house before I tell you what is right about it. You are going to find out anyway, and it is better coming from me before you sign anything.

What you get

How I work with buyers

I also learn from a Twin Cities real estate professional with more than 30 years in the business. When a deal gets complicated, you get the benefit of that experience too.

Start to keys

How buying a home works

  1. We talk firstWhat you need, where, your timeline and your budget. No pressure to start touring this week.
  2. Get your financing lined upA lender pre-approval tells you your real number and makes your offer stronger. I can point you to a few lenders, and you choose.
  3. Sign a buyer agreementRequired before we tour together. More on that below, in plain language.
  4. Tour and narrow downIn person, on video, or both. I tell you what I see, good and bad.
  5. Write an offerWe look at recent sales, how long the home has been on the market and what the seller needs, then decide on price and terms together.
  6. Inspections and the fine printInspection, appraisal, title work and, for lake and acreage homes, septic and well details. This is where I earn my keep.
  7. CloseFinal walkthrough, sign, get your keys.

Plain language

How paying a buyer’s agent works now

Before we tour homes together, we sign a short written agreement. Minnesota law and industry rules require it. It spells out what I do for you and how I am paid.

The amount is written in that agreement. It is negotiable, and it is not set by law.

In most cases I am only paid if you buy a home and it closes, and that pay is often covered by the seller as part of your offer. We talk through how that works for each offer.

Everything before closing (the showings, the driving, the contracts, the explanations, the late-night and early-morning calls) costs you nothing up front.

Every agreement is its own document. Read yours, ask me anything in it, and do not sign until it makes sense to you.

Keep reading

More guides

Start a conversation

Thinking about buying, even a year from now?

That is the right time to start talking. Tell me what you are looking for and I will tell you honestly what it takes to get there.

Call or text612-423-6899
Emaillistinglensmn@gmail.com
Serving

Minneapolis & Saint Paul metro

BrokerageLPT Realty, Brokerage for Life