Buying a home in the Twin Cities is a big deal - buying a home is the biggest purchase most of us will ever make in our lifetime. 

So, you’ve found the “perfect” home in the Twin Cities and you want to write an offer up right now and can picture yourself moving in tomorrow….BUT, in my opinion, it’s always a good idea to get a 2nd opinion from someone other than your Realtor.  Whether it’s your spouse, significant other or a friend who’s opinion you trust and value, a 2nd opinion can save you from jumping into something too quickly or can confirm your thoughts about the “perfect” home.

It is your Realtor’s job to assist you in finding real estate to look at, offer professional opinions on the qualities of the home and neighborhood and guide you through the process of writing an offer and seeing it through to closing.  A Realtor holds what is known as Fiduciary Duties to each client and it is the Realtors duty to provide: Loyalty, Confidentiality, Disclosure, Obedience, Reasonable care and skill and Accountability.  The Realtor should do what you, the client wants within the law and within the fiduciary duties listed above.   A Realtor shouldn’t talk you into or out of a home but merely give his or her opinion.

So, bottom line, your Realtor can give their opinion but shouldn’t tell you whether to write and offer or not or whether this is the perfect home for you.  Your Realtor should provide a professional opinion and you should really have a friend, spouse, etc…come check out the house to make sure it is “perfect” for you.  The best scenario would be to have your 2nd opinion along for the first visit because sometimes you do find the “perfect” house and should write an offer right away.

As a buyer in the Twin Cities, what you want to avoid is writing an offer, getting it accepted, paying for an inspection, getting all the paperwork moving with the lender, the title company and both Real Estate companies and then having your 2nd opinion take a look at the home, give you their thoughts and then realizing that you made a mistake.  Although it is MUCH better to back out at this point (and you still can within your inspection contingency timeline – see my related article http://http://www.twincitiesrealestategal.com/home-buying/how-to-sweeten-the-deal-tips-on-getting-the-house-you-want/ ), you could have saved yourself time and money by having your 2nd opinion along for the very first visit. 

The last thing your Realtor wants you to do is purchase a home that you later regret.  We are on your side and want you to be happy with your purchase.

So, do you know who your 2nd opinion will be?

Jen McKinnon
Realtor/Investor
AGENT REFERRAL NETWORK
MN Real Estate Team

612.384.1073
jen[at]mnrealestateteam[dot]com