A Message to all
Homebuyers
from Neil Jenman.
HOMEBUYERS - How an APPROVED Jenman agent can help you
Buying a home is an important event. For some people, it's the biggest financial
event of their lives. But it's not just about money, it's also about feelings. An APPROVED Jenman agent
knows how you feel. Our representatives have all bought a home at some stage in their lives. They know
what it means to spend days, weeks or even months looking for the right home. It can be a nightmare of
frustration and heartache. Or it can be one of the best experiences of your life.
Finding the right agent will make finding the right home a whole lot easier for you.
This page explains what an APPROVED Jenman agent should be doing to help you.
From all of us at Jenman APPROVED, I wish you every success in your search for your home and many happy
years living in it.
Neil Jenman
Before you go looking for a home, sit down and talk about it. An APPROVED Jenman agent will arrange a
time to suit you, so that you can explain exactly what you want, where you want it and what price range
you wish to pay. An APPROVED Jenman agent can provide you with a selection of homes specifically based
on what you want.
One of the most frustrating parts of buying a home is having to look at homes you don't like. If the agent
knows what you are looking for, you will save yourself a lot of frustration. |
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Buying a home is often a joint decision.
It can be hard to avoid an argument if frustration sets in. Reduce the frustration by involving your partner
as much as possible. |
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Before you go looking for homes in an area, check out the area. Make sure you really
do want to live in that area. Often you can buy a better home at a cheaper price in a different area. Ask yourself what is
most important to you - the area or the price. Usually, it's both, but which comes first? If you place
the area first, then the home may not be exactly what you want. If you place the price first, the area
may not be as convenient for you. It's a big decision, so give it plenty of thought.
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If you are borrowing money - as most buyers do - make sure you get the best rate possible. Seek independent
advice and know exactly how big a financial commitment you wish to make. Always ask yourself what could
happen if something goes wrong. Be safe financially and you'll never lose sleep worrying about whether
or not you can afford the next payment.
An APPROVED Jenman agent may offer you suggestions but agents are rarely qualified financial advisers.
Agents cannot give 'independent' advice if you are buying or selling with them. APPROVED Jenman agents
should not receive kickbacks from lenders, so at least their suggestions will be impartial. Still, you
are urged to seek independent advice. |
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When you are ready to inspect homes, bring a cheque book or a deposit in case you see something you like.
You don't go shopping without a purse or a wallet, so please don't go shopping for a home without being
able to pay a deposit. This does not mean, of course, that you have to buy anything. It just means you
are ready to buy.
If you are ready to buy, please bring your cheque book so that you will lessen the chance of being disappointed
if the home sells to another buyer who does bring a cheque book.
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Know the highest price you are prepared to pay. An APPROVED agent - like most agents - is employed by
the seller and is therefore the seller's agent. It is unethical to sell a home to you at less than it
could have sold to another buyer. To buy the right home you should be the buyer who is prepared to pay
the best price for that home.
There will be no "price ranges" showing a low price in order to bait you. APPROVED Jenman agents
offer homes for sale with specific prices. However, please understand that APPROVED Jenman agents are
not the owners of the homes being offered. Sometimes a home may be sold for MORE than the "asking"
price. If there are two or more buyers who wish to buy at the full asking price,
each buyer will be given the opportunity to offer their highest price. Subject to the approval
of the owners, the home may be sold to the buyer who makes the highest offer. All offers will be confidential
between the buyer making the offer, the agent and the owner of the home. Offers from different buyers
will not be disclosed to other buyers thus protecting the owners from under-selling their homes. For this
reason you are encouraged to offer your best price at all times.
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You will rarely see an auction being conducted by an APPROVED Jenman agent. Most auctions involve deceit
and trickery. If a home is offered by auction, an APPROVED Jenman agent should compensate any homebuyer
for loss of inspection and legal fees should they not become the buyers of the home. It is well known
that both sellers and buyer often lose money at auctions. Auctions are generally best for agents, not
consumers You should not have the stress of auctions with an APPROVED Jenman agent.
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An APPROVED Jenman agent will make it as easy as possible for you to inspect homes at times to suit you.
You will rarely see homes open for inspection at set times with anyone being allowed to wander through.
Please understand that the only people who should inspect a home with an APPROVED Jenman agent are those
who are genuinely interested in buying the home. For security, all people who inspect a home for sale
must be identified by the agent. And, besides, when you buy your home, you will not have that nervous
feeling about those hordes of strangers who have snooped around your home.
This is a term which means that someone else offers a higher price than you and buys the home, often without
you being given the chance to reconsider the price you wish to pay. Gazumping can be emotionally devastating
for buyers.
You should be given the opportunity to offer your highest price which will mean that you have every fair
chance to buy the home you like without the fear of being gazumped.
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APPROVED Jenman agents try to follow a 'NO HASSLE, NO HAGGLE' concept. Real estate is notorious for tricks
and games but APPROVED Jenman agents have strict codes of ethics and client care. We believe good ethics
is good business. It is much more pleasant for everyone to be 'open' and 'upfront', rather than indulge
in what is often called "commercial reality" (telling lies).
Please understand that the best homes sell readily, usually within the first month of being offered for
sale. It is best for you, therefore, to make your best offer and give yourself the best chance to buy
the home you want. If you can afford it, pay a little more for the right home. The years of happiness
you enjoy will be well worth avoiding the hassle of haggling and the risk of losing the home you really
want. |
When you find the home you want, you will be asked to declare the highest price you will pay for the home.
If your highest price is acceptable to the owners, you will most likely be able to buy the home. However, until such time as the owners have signed a legally binding contract, you cannot be certain that the home
is "yours".
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You are encouraged to seek independent legal and professional advice on all aspects of buying a home.
The cost of a good solicitor and a good building inspector can represent excellent value for what may
be your biggest ever financial investment. An APPROVED Jenman agent understands your need for peace of
mind, and should do everything possible to make sure that buying a home is one of the best events of your
life. |
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Find
an APPROVED Jenman agent » or call our TOLL-FREE consumer line 1800 1800 18
You will also find helpful information on buying a home in the book
"DON'T SIGN ANYTHING!" which is available in most good bookshops.
