When you first start searching for a new home, you’ll likely start by browsing homes for sale online. These days, technology allows you to have quite a bit of information at your fingertips. You can literally shop for a home from your couch.

Eventually, however, most homebuyers use the services of a buyer’s agent, a real estate agent who represents the buyer’s interests in a home sale. Despite technology’s increasing role in real estate sales, buyer’s agents can still be very helpful. Here are five reasons to consider a buyer’s agent for your home search.

1. Local expertise

Sure, you can find a lot of information online about a home listed for sale. But sometimes, it takes somebody who knows a neighborhood well to provide details a website can’t.

You might have questions about the local school district, crime rates, access to healthcare, and more. Maybe you’re curious about the general lifestyle of a locale or wonder how friendly or social a neighborhood is. Agents who’ve sold multiple homes in particular areas over the years have intimate knowledge of locales that you can’t find online.

2. Insider’s advice

A high asking price doesn’t necessarily mean a home is a bad deal, and a low price isn’t always an indicator of a good deal. It all depends on what you get for your money. It’s more about value than price.

An agent has a good idea of that sort of value. They know what features similar homes in a price range have or don’t have. They know whether or not any repairs that might be needed will be worth it. They have an understanding of what sorts of issues with a home make it smart to refuse to waive contract contingencies. The professional advice from a real estate insider is often something you can’t get anywhere else.

3. Recommendations for other professionals

Over the years, experienced agents establish relationships with other professionals in the field. Those relationships mean agents can provide homebuyers with recommendations they might need.

For example, many agents have contacts in the mortgage business and can refer you to a loan officer or mortgage broker they know can get the job done. When it’s time for a professional home inspection, your agent will probably recommend one they know and trust. The same goes for contractors who might be needed to get an idea of costs for any work that might be required.

4. Negotiation

You might think it’s simple to make an offer on a home, but there are almost always other details of a purchase contract that need to be negotiated.

What’s included with the house is sometimes not cut-and-dry. If you like, say, the hot tub or certain pieces of furniture, how do you ask to include them? Do you know what sort of concessions you might ask for should the seller want a longer-than-normal time to closing?

A real estate transaction involves a legal contract with big financial implications. Having an agent negotiate that contract for you can give you some peace of mind.

5. Guidance through the process

Searching for and buying a home can be a long, sometimes tedious process. There are many steps along the way from starting a search until moving in, and having someone to walk you through step-by-step can help keep you from being overwhelmed.

There are times when buyers get cold feet or are unsure about what to do once an offer is accepted or turned down. They don’t always know how quickly to apply for a loan or when to schedule the home inspection. A buyer’s agent will get you through it.

The bottom line: There is a lot of information online about homes for sale, and almost everybody starts their search on the internet. But there are some valuable services a buyer’s agent contributes to a home search, including some you can’t always get elsewhere.

Are You Thinking of Buying a Home in Dubois County?

Use our site to search homes for sale in Jasper, Dubois, Spencer, Martin and Davis counties and all of our surrounding areas. Unlike the “big name” sites out there, at Sell 4 Free Welsh Realty our site is directly connected to our local MLS and is updated with new homes every hour. By signing up for New Listing alerts you can stay on top of the newest homes for sale and get price change alerts so you can stay ahead of other buyers and beat them to the hottest deals!

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Newest Homes for Sale in Dubois County

View the newest homes listed in Dubois County in the last 10 days:

Beautiful home located in the heart of Jasper with new flooring installed in 2021 in most of the main level, spacious kitchen with a walk-in pantry, a full bathroom on the main level and a large bonus room that opens up to the dining room. The 4 bedrooms are located upstairs with a full bathroom and new flooring in the master bedroom. New AC units installed in 2019 and 2020. This property extends to the alley in the back and features a large concrete pad, a shed, and ample parking.

$170,000 Active

1312 Mill Street Jasper, Indiana

4 Beds 2 Baths 1,963 SqFt 0.101 Acres

Listing courtesy of Felicia Drew from Carpenter Realty LLC.

This two story home with 3,530 sq ft + a full basement, boasts beautiful architectural details from beveled & lead glass windows throughout the entire home, coffered ceiling in the dining room, impeccably maintained original woodwork and doors with transoms, unique fireplace with columns and bench seating, tall sliding doors, and glazed brick on the exterior. Seller just removed some carpeting to reveal patterned hardwood floors. Seller lived on main level but over the years, little has been done to the upper level. Home is selling "as is" and priced to give the new owner the opportunity to restore this home that is full of character and beauty.

$137,500 Active

308 N Washington Street Huntingburg, Indiana

4 Beds 2 Baths 3,530 SqFt 0.320 Acres

Listing courtesy of Stacey Thieman-Wright from THIEMAN REALTY.

This small concrete block building was once a local grocery store converted to a two bedroom residence. The open concept allows for relaxing and cooking in the same room in this home. Laundry and bathroom are on the main floor. The full basement is accessible from both inside the residence and outside. There is minimal grass but ample parking. The front stoop allows for a lot sit down time in the evening just watching the world drive by.

$69,000 Active

970 2nd Avenue Jasper, Indiana

2 Beds 1 Baths 660 SqFt 0.080 Acres

Listing courtesy of Connie Thewes from HOFFMAN & MULLEN REALTY INC.

5 Reasons to Consider a Buyer’s Agent for Your Home Search