For buyers, buying a house is a purchase unlike any other. Agents are often the sole source of information and guidance to the buyer. To improve the chances of closing a deal, provide your clients with a buyer’s guide that walks them through the buying process. In this guide, we will look at what topics should be covered in your buyer’s guide and provide some examples of the content to include.
Who is this guide for?
This guide is for real estate buyers. It is written by real estate agents and should be designed to help home buyers understand all the steps when buying a home, including how to finance a home, what kind of homes are available in their desired neighborhoods, and how to close a deal given the market.
This guide gives real estate agents some ideas on how to write an effective buyer’s guide.
A buyer’s guide is an important piece of marketing collateral for real estate agents to use with their prospective clients. It can also be used to give clients reference material about the home buying process, or simply as an educational resource for those who are unfamiliar with it.
1. Introduce yourself and why you are a great real estate agent to work with
In the first section of your home buyer’s guide, you should introduce yourself and explain why you are a great real estate agent to work with. Let the home buyer know what qualifications you have, why you love what you do, and how long you’ve been in real estate.
For example, I am John Smith, a licensed realtor who has been selling homes for over 10 years. In that time, I’ve helped many families find their dream homes and worked closely with them every step of the way.
2. Define each step in the buying process
- Acquire the necessary financing for a home – Whether your home buyer is making an all-cash deal or getting a mortgage. It is your responsibility to ensure they have their financing in order when the time comes to place an offer.
- Evaluate the buyer’s needs – While your buyers may know how many bedrooms and bathrooms they want. Make sure to list out the other property considerations they should keep in mind to help filter their options.
- Tour properties – Tour days are packed and buyers should be prepared to tour multiple homes before they find one. Describe what happens on a tour day, and how to come prepared.
- Review Disclosures – What is a disclosure? How do you get it? Who has to read it? These are all questions your buyer will have.
- Construct an Offer – When it comes time to place an offer. Make sure your buyer knows the steps involved so they can move quickly and not miss their opportunity at their dream home.
- Escrow – Detail the actions that take place during the 30 days of Escrow. Also, be sure to explain why deals fall through during Escrow.
- Closing – Once your buyer gets the keys. Make sure they know who they need to contact and work with for contingencies and other details of the deal.
For each step in the buying process, be sure to provide a detailed explanation of how your buyer will go about performing each task. And how you can help.
3. Clearly state who pays for what
First-time buyers are not familiar with what they have to pay for and what sellers have to pay for. These norms also change in different markets, so be sure to list out who pays for inspections, Escrow, lending charges, HOA, and other extraneous costs during the buying process.
4. Provide a Real Estate Terminology Guide
Words and acronyms can scare buyers. Be sure to explain what TIC (Tenancy in Common), HOA (Home owners association), and other common acronyms. Oftentimes you buyers may not understand the full implications of these terms and concepts.
5. Testimonials from past clients that worked with you
Testimonials are a great way to attract new clients. They are an effective way for past clients to provide their opinions on your services. Testimonials can be used as a marketing tool. In addition, including testimonials in your buyer’s guide will help prospective homebuyers get a better idea of how much of an impact you had on the lives of your past clients.
The best way to ensure that testimonials are written by the client is for you or one of your team members to ask them what they liked about working with you. And then write up those responses yourself (in first person). Asking someone else would mean that they may not tell the whole truth or might leave out key details because they’re trying not to offend anyone involved in the process.
It’s also important that this section only includes positive information. So potential buyers don’t get turned off by negative reviews; however, it should still highlight any areas where there could have been improvements made during working relationships between real estate agents and sellers/buyers
Conclusion
If you want to help someone buy a property, having an effective real estate buyer guide is an important tool. It helps potential buyers fully understand the buying process. You can also use this information as a way to establish trust with potential clients by showing them that you are knowledgeable about the real estate in that area. And you are there to guide them.