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The Homebuying Guide

Congratulations! The decision to buy your own home is an exciting one.  The experience should be enjoyable as well as get you the perfect home with the least amount of hassle. Ellen Ganz is devoted to using her expertise to make your transaction successful!

Purchasing a home is a very important decision.  Ellen Ganz would like to help you with honest, accurate information so you can make well-informed decisions regarding the purchase of your home.  This booklet will give you an idea of what to expect during each phase of your transaction.  It also contains reference pages, note pages, deadline information, etc., and is useful as a reference guide even after the transaction is closed.

Please keep this booklet during all house hunting related activities:  meetings, house hunting trips, etc.  Use it to take notes and to keep track of deadlines.  You can even staple cards to relevant pages to keep related materials together.  Making the transaction as easy as possible for you is my job.  I am happy to serve all your real estate needs!

 
Why Do You Need A Realtor

A Realtor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the business of buying a home.  In fact, a licensed real estate professional provides much more than the service of helping you find the home of your dreams.  Realtors are not just sales agents.  They are expert negotiators, seasoned financial advisors, and superb navigators around the local neighborhood.  They are members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and must abide by a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice enforced by the NAR.  A professional Realtor is your best resource when approaching to buy a home.

Let Ellen Ganz Be Your Guide —

• Working with Ellen Ganz can save you endless amounts of time, money and frustration.
• Ellen Ganz knows the housing market inside and out and can help you avoid many a “wild goose chase.”
• Ellen Ganz can help you with any house even if it is listed elsewhere, or is being sold by the owner directly.
• Ellen Ganz knows the best lenders in the area; can help you get pre-qualified for a mortgage; and can discuss down payments, closing costs, and monthly payment options.
• Ellen Ganz is an excellent source for general information about the community, specific information about schools, churches, shopping, transportation, plus tips on house inspection and pricing.
• Ellen Ganz is experienced at presenting your offer to the homeowner and can help you through the process of negotiating the best price.  She brings objectivity to the buying transaction, and can point out advantages and disadvantages of a particular property.

And the BEST thing is that all the help normally won’t cost you a cent.  Generally, the seller pays the commission to Realtors.  However, that doesn’t affect Ellen’s dedication or the spirit of teamwork that she will put into helping you find and buy the home of your dreams.  After all, her success depends on your success.

Step by Step… The Buying Process

Glossary of Real Estate

Brokerage Relationships

In Idaho,

Real Estate brokers and their salespersons are required to disclose the type of working relationship they have with the buyers in a real estate transaction.  There are several types of relationships that are available to you.  You should understand these at the time a broker provides specific assistance to you in buying real estate.  Buyer’s Agent and Seller’s Agent relationships are commonly referred to as “agency” relationships and carry with them legal duties and responsibilities for the broker as well as for the buyer and seller.

Buyer’s Agent

A Buyer’s Agent acts solely on behalf of the buyer and owes duties to the buyer which include the utmost good faith, loyalty, and fidelity.  The agent will negotiate on behalf of, and act as an advocate for; the buyer.  The buyer is legally responsible for the actions of the agent when that agent is acting within the scope of the agency.  The agent must disclose to sellers all adverse material facts concerning the buyer’s financial ability to perform the terms of the transaction and whether the buyer intends to occupy the property.  A separate written buyer’s agreement is required which sets forth the duties and obligations of the parties.

Seller’s Agent

A Seller’s Agent acts solely on behalf of the seller and owes duties to the seller which include the utmost good faith, loyalty, and fidelity.  The agent will negotiate on behalf of, and act as an advocate for; the seller.  The seller is legally responsible for the actions of the agent when that agent is acting within the scope of the agency.  The agent must disclose to buyers or tenants all adverse material facts about the property known by the broker.  A separate written listing agreement is required which sets forth the duties and obligations of the parties.