yet another set of eyes making sure that any structural or
mechanical problems your home inspector finds during the
construction of your home are addressed before closing.
4REVIEW THE SELLER’S PROPERTY
charlotte lifestyle may/june
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DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
The seller is supposed to disclose any problem,
malfunction or defect with the home’s structure and
mechanical systems of which the seller has knowledge.
Further, if the seller’s real estate agent has knowledge of any
problem, malfunction or defect with the home’s structure
and mechanical system, then the seller’s agent is required
to disclose it, regardless of whether the seller has disclosed
it or not. Your buyer’s agent can find out if the home you
want to purchase has ever been under contract before, and
if so, find out if the listing agent has a copy of the previous
buyer’s home inspection report and compare it to the
seller’s disclosure to see if the seller’s property disclosure
has been accurately updated.
5GET YOUR OFFER IN EARLY
The longer you wait to submit an offer, the more
likely you’ll be competing against other offers. On
the other hand, if your offer is the first one and another
offer comes in later, then the listing agent may ask your
buyer’s agent if you want to submit a revised offer – the
highest and best offer you are prepared to make if you really
want that home.
6NEGOTIATE REPAIRS OR SELLER’S
CONCESSIONS IN LIEU OF REPAIRS
If you have discovered that the seller’s property
disclosure statement is incorrect, the seller is required to
either promptly give you a corrected disclosure statement
or correct the problem. If the seller refuses to make repairs
or acknowledge any problem, malfunction or defect with
the home, then you’ll want to make sure your buyer’s
agent contacts a vendor who can give you an estimate for
the repairs before deciding whether to proceed with the
sale or not. At the very least, the seller is still required to
promptly give you a corrected seller’s disclosure statement,
regardless of whether you decide to move forward with the
home purchase or not. If you are being represented by a
dual or designated agent, it may be difficult for your buyer’s
agent to represent your best interests due to the conflict of
interests that exists because your buyer agent’s firm is also
representing the seller’s best interests too.
7COORDINATE THE HOME
PURCHASE PROCESS
Your buyer’s agent will ensure that you are informed
of any problems that arise during the purchase process and
help you resolve them before closing. She will accompany
you on a final walk-thru prior to closing to ensure any
promised repairs have been made in accordance with your
repair agreement. She will also review not only your closing
statement, but the seller’s closing statement as well to
make sure any lender and/or seller concessions that were
negotiated on your behalf are included prior to your closing
date.
Julie Tuggle is broker/owner of Carolina Buyer’s Agent in
Charlotte, NC. Carolina Buyer’s Agent specializes in Buyer
Representation Only, giving home buyers the negotiating
advantage on any home for sale in the Charlotte area,
including For-Sale-by-Owner homes.
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