good buyer’s agent will point out the faults—or advise when they can be overlooked. Competent buyer’s agents can help veterans think clearly as the home-buying process unfolds. For example, if a house is a good buy, a buyer’s agent might suggest looking past the dated bathroom and kitchen and looking at the space above the garage that will make the perfect art studio you desire. Likewise, a cute house with all the amenities but with knob-and-tube wiring or a 40-year-old roof might not be worth the asking price. According to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Home Guide, if you decide to buy to build an addition or make modifications to accommodate a veteran who uses a wheelchair or has another type of disability, the agent should advise you to check the zoning before making an offer. A buyer’s agent must legally maintain your confidentiality, disclose material facts to you, including the potential for direct compensation, and maintain your loyalty.
LOOK FOR PROPER CREDENTIALS
You wouldn’t trust a doctor who didn’t have the proper credentials and licensing. Don’t trust a real estate agent who doesn’t present theirs or doesn’t have them at all. It’s easy to find real estate agents who can take the job, but finding agents with exceptional credentials — like those who have gone that extra step to take additional classes in certain specialties of real estate sales and have worked with veterans using their VA benefits to buy a home — is worth looking into. Here are just a few credentials within real estate that you should be on the lookout for: Certified Residential Specialist (CRS): t (CRS):Completed additional training to handle residential real estate, such as houses and
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