What First Time Buyers Must Know About Purchasing San Antonio Homes
Written by Liz Voss.
San Antonio Homes
San Antonio homes, is it really a smart time to begin shopping?
San Antonio homes may have never been as affordable before but does this really mean that now is a wise time to purchase your first home and what do you need to know about the home buying process in Texas before you jump in?
San Antonio Homes, How Bad is the Housing Market, Really?
The local market may not be leading the charge when it comes to a national housing rebound yet but there are many reasons that an enormous amount of buyers are interested in scooping up a new home here.
While there are certainly a fair amount of San Antonio homes in foreclosure on the market there are far fewer than found in much of the rest of the country. Certainly Texas refinancing laws which helped protect homeowner equity have played their part in preserving the strength of the housing market and will continue to, though there are plenty of great bargains to be found.
In fact the strength of the local economy is one of the biggest draws to the area. The unemployment rate here is among the lowest in the country, with San Antonio even outperforming Houston and Dallas for jobs. More families and businesses moving in and new homes being built are sure to help to continue to boost the economy here, fueling a sustainable rise in home prices. It may not be overnight but it is coming and that means paying a lot more for the same home for those who wait. In fact according to Trulia the average price per square foot for San Antonio homes has already risen 3.6% in the last 12 months.
San Antonio Homes, Can You Really Afford to Buy Right Now?
A better question may be can you afford not to buy a home right now? Mortgage interest rates are at amazing lows and even a rise of a couple of points could mean paying tens or even a hundred thousand more in interest for the same property later on.
It is true that getting approved for a home loan can be a little more difficult than it used to be, even if you have great credit. However, it is not impossible. A little preparation will go a long way to getting a better deal on a mortgage loan and ensuring a smooth closing. Know what your credit looks like, address any negative items immediately, get all of your income and asset information together and get pre-approved as soon as possible. With the right guidance you could find you only have to put down as little as 3% and your monthly payment could be far less than what you are paying in rent right now.
What Type of San Antonio Homes Can You Expect for Your Money?
If you haven’t started looking at any San Antonio homes yet you will likely be very pleasantly surprised at what you can get for you money. Obviously there are many variables which depend on which neighborhood you are looking in and whether you expect a brand new home or are salivating at the opportunity to unleash your own interior design skills.
Right now prices on San Antonio homes range from under $20,000 for a cozy 2 bedroom starter home to $4.5 million for a sprawling 5 acre estate with 5 bedrooms, 10,000 square feet of living space, complete with pools, gyms, basketball courts and a private lake.
San Antonio Homes, The Most Important Step for Buying
Before you pick up that phone, walk in to an open house or start emailing in response to any of the San Antonio homes you may see in ads first consider the necessity of having someone to represent you. This is something which cannot be underestimated. Homeowners will have their own attorneys or real estate agents who exclusively represent them and will unfortunately in some cases do whatever it takes to see their clients interests are protected and desires met.
This means you need a real estate professional to watch out for you too. A Realtor who exclusively represents your interests as a buyer and who will ensure your deposit money is safe, help you to negotiate the best possible deal and will hold everyone else accountable to make sure you close on your new home on time.
Just as importantly, look for an agent who will take the time to really understand what you are looking for in a new San Antonio homes and what is important to you so that you don’t waste months looking at properties you have no interest in
San Antonio homes
San Antonio Homes, What No One Tells You About the Buying Process
If you have never purchased a home before you will soon find out it is far different than any other purchase you have made. Familiarize yourself with the steps and know what to expect so that you aren’t waking up in the middle of the night with panic attacks or find you are stuck in a hotel for a few weeks until you close on your new home.
Some steps to follow in the buying process:
1. Select a great real estate agent
2. Get pre-approved for a home loan
3. Start shopping for San Antonio homes
4. Make an offer
5. Negotiate the terms
6. Complete your inspections
7. Provide any additional information requested by mortgage underwriters
8. Close on your new home and get the keys!
Keeping it Real
While the price of San Antonio homes and interest rates are incredibly low and your chances of getting into your dream home have never been better it pays to be realistic about shopping for your first home. You may not qualify to get into the mansion of your dreams yet or you may find the ideal home in the ideal location which has horrendous colored walls and carpets in the third bedroom. Recognize the difference between the things which are quick fixes and that you can make later on, after you purchase. We are likely to see one of the biggest spikes in equity and appreciation in the San Antonio homes market over the next 5-10 years as the global economy rebounds. So even if you plan on moving up later, getting onto the property ladder is a smart financial move that cannot only save you money but help you to build up a large nest egg which can be used as a down payment on the ultimate home of your dreams in a couple of years from now.
San Antonio Homes, What’s Next?
Whether you are all set to go with a mortgage approval in hand or you would like to know more about the San Antonio homes market the first step is to contact a local real estate expert who specializes in helping buyers and who can give you the extra guidance and info you need.
Call me today to see exactly what San Antonio Homes are available.
San Antonio Real Estate Listings for 2012
As 2011 came to a close, analysts looked at the numbers of San Antonio real estate listings and compared them to last year’s numbers.
Blog Post by Liz Voss.
Overall, 2011 was very similar to 2010 in terms of sales and prices. The median home price rose just one percent from 2010, according to the San Antonio Board of Realtors. As for sales, the number of sold homes actually decreased from 2010, but not by much.
The year 2010 was interesting for the real estate market in San Antonio and around the nation. It was a stellar year for buyers who took advantage of the federal tax credit, and sales numbers shot up because of it. Buyers shouldn’t expect the same sort of government incentives for 2012, so fence sitters should go ahead and take the plunge before prices go up. Even without the tax break, Realtors in San Antonio are reporting quite a bit of interest from buyers.
Agents are predicting that the San Antonio real estate listings in 2012 will look much the same as the year before in terms of prices and sales numbers. Slowly but steadily, the numbers should go up for at least the next two years. If you ask local Realtors for their opinions, most of them will say that they are hopeful for a good year. There are fewer homes on the market in San Antonio right now, which could fuel competition and drive up prices. In addition, the job market has improved somewhat from last year. This is a good time for home sellers, but it’s still important for them to emphasize the best features of the properties and the neighborhoods.
Home Builder Outlook
It’s still a buyer’s market in the best areas of San Antonio, but they don’t have as much control as they did just a few years ago. The playing field is more even for negotiations, so buyers or sellers shouldn’t feel discouraged. One major improvement is the number of San Antonio real estate listings for luxury homes. There is still a very strong market for upscale homes. In fact, home builders are seeing an uptick in the number of interested buyers. People seeking custom designs and homes with upgrades can find very good deals among the local home building companies.
Spec homes were all the rage back in 2006, and now we’re starting to see some more of that activity in San Antonio, especially for luxury homes over one million dollars. This is good news for many of the building companies that faced hard times in the past few years. The year 2008 was the worst for San Antonio real estate listings in the luxury market. These days, home builders say that the most expensive high-end homes in the best neighborhoods are selling the fastest. Since last year, the median home price for high-end homes is up 3.3 percent. Builders are expecting about 10 percent more sales in 2012 over last year’s numbers.
Some of the luxury home sales are going to Mexican nationals who want a safer environment for their families. The drug cartels in Northern Mexico are encroaching on their neighborhoods, so families are relocating to gated neighborhoods north of the border. Other buyers include Eagle Ford Shale millionaires who have profited from the oil drilling on their land. These people are choosing to put their profits into real estate rather than the stock market or the local banks.
Besides luxury homes, the number of San Antonio real estate listings for ranches is going up. The number of sales of ranches across Texas started to go up last year, and Realtors predict that the trend should continue for a while.
Home Buyer Outlook
Buyers browsing through San Antonio real estate listings should see plenty of options, whether they want custom homes, spec homes, or land. Interest rates are still low enough to entice borrowers, and the cost of building materials is pretty much the same as it was last year.
If low credit scores are a problem, seller financed homes or rent-to-own options could be viable alternatives. It’s much harder to get a loan, so those looking to buy soon should clean up their credit reports as soon as possible.
Sellers of luxury homes can start to raise asking prices, especially if the homes are in very desirable neighborhoods. Six months is about the length of time a high-end home sits on the market in San Antonio.
San Antonio real estate listings have a very healthy supply of new homes. Almost 2,000 homes are currently under construction as of January 2012 with about 300 model homes. On the other hand, the resale market needs to improve, but it could happen this year. The major problem in San Antonio right now is the lack of build-ready lots in desirable neighborhoods. It often takes up to 18 months to get a single lot ready for construction. As far as the San Antonio real estate market in the next few years, the major concerns are about the presidential election, mortgage loans, and the integrity of the economy.
Where to Find the Deals
If you’re looking through recently published San Antonio real estate listings, expect to see plenty of ads for high-end properties, ranches, and home building companies. The first market to improve is always the high end, and the rest follows soon after.
Buyers can also choose from the growing number of spec homes, which are houses built before buyers are found. These houses aren’t custom-built, but everything inside and outside is new. In addition, spec homes have warranties in case the home buyer finds any defects. You can find some great deals on spec homes around San Antonio right now.
If you’re looking for a deal, check out the resale market that consists of older homes. You could easily find a fixer-upper or something that suits your needs perfectly. Since the price of building materials hasn’t changed much, you can renovate or update a house without spending a bundle. The real estate market in San Antonio has a long way to go, but the prospects continue to improve every month.buyer finds any defects. You can find some great deals on spec homes around San Antonio right now.
If you’re looking for a deal, check out the resale market that consists of older homes. You could easily find a fixer-upper or something that suits your needs perfectly. Since the price of building materials hasn’t changed much, you can renovate or update a house without spending a bundle. The real estate market in San Antonio has a long way to go, but the prospects continue to improve every month.
If you are ready to search for San Antonio real estate listings me for a consultation at 1-866-549-8677.
Tips for Shopping San Antonio Real Estate Listings
This audio offers a several approaches for those looking at properties, or searching the many San Antonio real estate listings.
One option available to help you pinpoint a home in the event you are looking to purchase a new property will be to check out each of the many listings available. San Antonio is unique in location within Tx., and provides buyers a thriving real estate market. In today’s market you can find a number of properties for sale in just about all price ranges along with a multitude of features and benefits.
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Buying Versus Renting San Antonio Real Estate
San Antonio real estate consists of Spanish-style homes, rental properties, land, and condos.
Although the city is large, it offers a relatively low cost of living for its size. Utilities, property, and water bills are lower than many similar cities in the area. Furthermore, small business owners flock to the city for its startup-friendly environment. According to CNNMoney, about 16,000 new startups are established each year in San Antonio.
Condos in San Antonio
A condominium is a popular style of San Antonio real estate. Condos can be the perfect fit for a couple or an individual that does not want the responsibility of a home and yard. The downside to a single family home is that it takes a lot of maintenance, and the homeowner must figure out how to do everything alone or hire technicians to fix things. A condo offers the customization and comfort of a house with the assistance of a community. Many quality condos in San Antonio are built with privacy in mind, so noises do not bother residents as much as apartment rental communities with thinner walls.
The HOA fees can be a major disadvantage of owning a condo. Although the fees go to the upkeep of the community, it can range from $50 a month to well over $300. For a monthly fee, residents can take advantage of the community’s amenities, which may include swimming pools, offices, gyms, and social events.
The current San Antonio real estate inventory includes many empty condo units for sale. Many of these condos are directly in the heart of San Antonio. People that enjoy the nightlife and nearby shops and restaurants might want to look at several condos for sale. Living closer to the city’s amenities is better for commuters as well.
Buying San Antonio Real Estate
There are many advantages to buying a single family home in San Antonio. Besides getting a break on your taxes, you can build equity for your future. The real estate market took a nosedive back in 2006, but agents all over the country are starting to see a slow return to normalcy. As a borrower, you need to make responsible choices when taking on a mortgage. Don’t get in over your head, and make sure you can make the monthly payments before you sign a 30-year contract. Buying a home is usually a great investment as long as you don’t get in over your head! San Antonio is a vibrant city that will continue to attract people from all over the country.
Buying Versus Renting Homes
Many people want to know whether they should buy or lease San Antonio real estate. If you can afford the mortgage payments, it’s probably better to buy a home. In 2006, it was generally more expensive to own a home than rent one. Now, the rental payments and mortgage payments are roughly the same. A fixed interest rate will allow you to predict your payments and budget for them. Rent, on the other hand, can always go up. It rarely goes down, and when you rent a home, you aren’t building equity.
In 2012, rent is expected to rise in most areas of the country. So many people have damaged credit scores and foreclosures on their credit reports, and it’s harder to get a home loan. Rental companies, on the other hand, are getting more lenient. They are raising the rental prices, yet they still manage to fill up their units.
If you are planning to live in a home for at least five years, it makes more sense to buy San Antonio real estate. If you move often, however, you should probably just rent for the time being. You could also buy a home, live in it for a year or two, and then rent it out to another family.
With the shaky job economy, many workers are moving to different areas when their employers let them go. That makes it difficult to settle down in one area and depend on one job for years at a stretch. If you can afford to buy a duplex, live in one side and rent out the other unit. This is an innovative way to get someone else to make your mortgage payments while you reap the benefits of home ownership.
Where to Buy San Antonio Real Estate
San Antonio is a huge, diverse city that offers something for everyone. If you are new to the San Antonio area, you may want to rent a place for a while to see where you might like to live permanently. It’s hard to see what the daily commute is like when you are looking at a 2D map! Read up on the school districts and the police reports to see if the area is safe or desirable to other home buyers.
Build or Buy San Antonio Real Estate
Buying a pre-owned home has its own set of problems. The home isn’t going to be as customized as you would like. There is probably going to be some wear and tear, but you have more leeway with negotiations. A newly built home is designed to your specifications and it has a warranty. Homebuilder companies are rolling out the red carpet in an effort to entice buyers of San Antonio real estate. Either way, you can find some amazing deals on both brand-new and pre-owned homes in Texas right now.
Things to Do in San Antonio
People searching San Antonio real estate listings are drawn to several factors that the city provides. Entertainment is a major attraction, including Six Flags and Sea World. In addition, San Antonio has the Alamo and River Walk for tourists and residents alike. People from all over the world come to visit and live in San Antonio, adding to the cultural richness of the area.
San Antonio River Walk at Christmas
River Walk at Christmas time is a magical sight. Everything is decorated with lights and lighted paper bags that reflect off the water, and people stroll along the sidewalks or lounge in boats on the water. You might hear some carolers or Spanish music fill the air. Singing is a big tradition along River Walk in December. Residents call this the “Festival of Lights” that occurs throughout the month of December.
San Antonio Homes
One of the first things you need to consider when you begin looking at San Antonio Homes is to seek out and find yourself a reliable San Antonio REALTOR.
Searching through a large list of San Antonio homes is something everyone will do when looking to buy a home.
Finding a dwelling to be considered a home will vary from area to area, but it definitely can be considered one of the hardest things to accomplish, especially if you want to strike a perfect balance between your needs and your wants. Looking for properties in San Antonio does not need to be hard. In fact, there are numerous methods that you can apply if you would like to acquire a house for sale in the area.
Finding a reliable San Antonio REALTOR
It is definitely easy to find properties for sale through various classified ads and want ads, the only question is the quality and the area that the property will be located in. Finding San Antonio Homes does not have to be torturous, all you really need is a quality San Antonio REALTOR. A REALTOR does all of the work for you, and can provide you with various tips on choosing your new home, and can definitely locate great deals. Finding a house for sale in really good living condition will be a breeze when you contact the right REALTOR. Here are some tips if you want to find a really good San Antonio REALTOR:
- Check out the San Antonio Board of REALTORs. This should be the first place that you look to find a registered, licensed and reliable REALTOR to help you find San Antonio homes for sale, a property, or even homes for rent. The San Antonio Board of REALTORs (SABOR) will surely let you connect with experts that can help you find your dream home in San Antonio
- Various want ads and classified ads. If you do try looking at any San Antonio Homes by yourself then first use the classified ads, it might also help you spot independent and licensed REALTORs who are willing to help you when looking at San Antonio homes.
- Referrals. You should never underestimate the power of “word of mouth” referrals. This is also a really good opportunity to screen the REALTORs you might consider working with especially if he or she has worked with someone you know previously.
Financing Options for San Antonio Homes
After looking a numerous San Antonio homes, you make a decision on what property to purchase and also chose your REALTOR, the next step for you to consider is your financing options. There are several different ways you to go about this: Home equity loans which can allow you up to 80% of your total equity; FHA loans or Federal Housing Loans that allows purchase of a home or refinancing at a very low down payment and can really be helpful if you are a first-time buyer; and finally, for those looking to purchase a new San Antonio homes the purchase options made available by most lenders which allow a number of options that does not require down payments, origination fees and can offer loans well above $2 million in loan amounts.
San Antonio Homes, Balancing Your Needs and Wants when Buying
The purchase of San Antonio Homes will certainly enhance a homeowner’s life, and will definitely benefit a buyer financially. Moving to a new place of residence can also significantly affect the life style of certain members of your family, so make sure to consider your basic needs and wants before closing the property for sale in the area.
NEEDS – here are the things that you absolutely must consider when beginning to view your list of San Antonio homes. These things must be non-negotiable, and should be considered as necessities as long as you can afford them. Considerations regarding the size of your household should be made because it will determine the number of rooms, sizes of the rooms and the size of the entire house, which can greatly affect the price, and what you would ultimately spend on upkeep. Activities must also be considered, especially if you have children and elderly in your household. Finally, location should be looked into, from the distance to and from work or school, and the overall safety of the neighborhood. These factors should be prioritized and given much more consideration above all else.
WANTS – these are to be considered trivial and incidental at best. You should not consider your wants unless you have fully satisfied all of the basic needs on your list. These are to be treated as mere “bonuses”, because they will never adversely affect the way you live. Items like house color, room colors, types of furniture if any, the appearance of lighting fixtures, views and vistas are indeed important, but they should not significantly affect your decision to purchase a San Antonio homes. Always remember that needs should always take precedence over wants.
Home Inspection and Repairs
While a typical buyer will always consider purchasing new San Antonio homes for sale in the area, others might go a completely different route and try to look for used homes or previously occupied ones to save a dollar. If you want to purchase a previously occupied residence, then it is always a really good idea to hire a home inspector so that you know what kind of repairs you might need to correct, if any. When it comes to repairs, one can never be too careful, especially when you consider the expense and stress you might avoid by determining which parts of the house needs to be fixed or replaced by the owner before closing the deal. Typically, inspections can last from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the size of the house and the number of issues found within the property. The critical areas which need to be inspected are as follows: check the property foundation; check the roof for any leaks and damages; the water and plumbing systems also need to be inspected for any repairs in the kitchen and showers; the residence electrical systems should be properly maintained to avoid any accidents and unwanted inconveniences caused by electrical surges. The home insulation, which can be tricky to self-inspect but can definitely save you hundreds of dollars in air conditioning bills; and finally, minor home components such as the doors and windows.
Always remember that asking for a San Antonio homes inspection will be worth the extra expense, especially if it will prevent you from further repairs and maintenance issues that will only cost you more money and be problematic in the long run.
Best Places to Find San Antonio Homes for Sale
If you are looking for quality San Antonio homes for sale, check out the school systems in the zip code where you want to buy.
Even if you are child free and do not plan to have any children, the quality of schools near your home has a huge impact on its market value. Homes usually sell for higher amounts, and their values usually remain steady or improve over the years, as long as the school districts remain top ranked.
One way to research the school district is to look at websites like GreatSchools.org. This is an easy-to-use site that quickly tells you if a school district is highly rated. In addition, consumers can leave feedback about each school. They can rate the parental involvement level and the quality of the administration and teachers. Let’s take a look at some of the schools in the San Antonio area that affect the values of San Antonio homes for sale.
Top Ranked Elementary Schools
There are many excellent elementary schools near listed San Antonio homes for sale. Some of the public elementary schools rated as “10″ include Tuscany Heights, AEU Elementary, Wilderness Oak, Blattman, Hardy Oak, Roan Forest, Leon Springs, Scobee, Encino Park, and John Glenn. Of course, many more schools were ranked as “9,” so this list is not comprehensive.
Highly Rated Middle/High Schools
The public middle schools in San Antonio that are ranked as “10s” are Jose M. Lopez Middle School and the Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Several more middle schools in the area are ranked as “8″ or “9.”
The quality of the high schools near San Antonio homes for sale dramatically affect all of the home values in the neighborhoods. It’s best to live near good high schools that have reputations for sending graduates to top colleges. While you are searching for San Antonio homes for sale, look for properties within a few miles of these top ranked high schools: Health Careers High School, Travis Early College High School, and Judson Early College Academy. These are all public schools open to children in grades 9-12.
Neighborhoods in San Antonio
San Antonio is quite a large, diverse city. As the seventh biggest city in the country and the second biggest city inside of Texas, San Antonio is located within Bexar County. According to the 2010 U.S. Census reports, just over two million people live in this area.
Buyers who are looking for high-end San Antonio homes for sale may want to tour through some of the most popular neighborhoods. Obviously, the downtown area is extremely popular with buyers for many reasons. The River Walk and Alamo are common tourist spots. In addition, many San Antonio home buyers like to look at the Alamo Heights and the Terrell Hills neighborhoods.
Northwest Area
The Northwest area has several institutions of higher learning. You can find the University of Texas-San Antonio, the Rosenberg School of Optometry, and others. In addition, several prestigious hospitals are in the Northwest area. Beautiful San Antonio homes for sale are found in the surrounding neighborhoods of Oak Hills and Cinnamon Creek.
Shavano Park/Castle Hills
San Antonio homes for sale in Shavano Park are in high demand. Although it is a small park of greater San Antonio, many Texans have heard of Shavano Park. Children in this neighborhood usually attend Blattman Elementary School, which is located within the Northside Independent School District. Older children can attend Hobby Middle and Tom C. Clark High School. Castle Hills is another popular enclave within San Antonio. It is about twice the size of Shavano Park, and it is a completely independent city.
South Side Neighborhoods
Some people call this area “Southtown,” and it encompasses the Lavaca enclave and the King William Historic District. This area has a lot of charm and talent. It is very artistically friendly and has many old Victorian San Antonio homes for sale that have been restored. Popular bars and restaurants are found all along the South Side of San Antonio for nightlife entertainment.
East Side of San Antonio
The East Side has some historic San Antonio homes for sale that you may want to see in your travels to this city. For example, the Alamodome, the Stock Show and Rodeo, and the Saint Paul Square are famous attractions. Actors Joan Crawford and Al Freeman once lived around here.
West Side of San Antonio
Two well-known universities are located on the West Side of San Antonio: St. Mary’s University and Our Lady of the Lake University. In addition, the historic neighborhood of Prospect Hill is in this area. Many famous people have lived or currently live in this neighborhood, including a former mayor, a HUD secretary, actors, writers, and senators. Since the neighborhood was built many years ago, most of the San Antonio homes for sale here are between 50 and 100 years old.
Entertainment in San Antonio
Another factor to take into consideration is the type of entertainment in the area. San Antonio is known as a thriving, interesting city that has all types of entertainment. Whether you prefer the old districts and historic areas or the newer, trendy bars and clubs, San Antonio has something for everyone.
River Walk
If you are planning on coming to San Antonio, you must go to the River Walk area located by the San Antonio River. You will find numerous bars, stores, quaint shops, and restaurants of all types. This is a very pedestrian-friendly area, so you can get some great photos as you travel along the sidewalks. In the spring, the city hosts an annual River Parade of decorated floats that meander down the water’s edge.
Uptown Loop
For the best shopping experience, stop by the Uptown Loop area. It’s a combination of beautiful homes and retail shops. The San Antonio homes for sale in this area are priced high, but well worth it for the central location. You can also find dozens of high-rise condos, and the area is starting to build even more due to popular demand. Some celebrities live in the Uptown area, but it’s more famous for its North Star Mall, town centers, big-box retailers, and chain restaurants.
The REALTOR of Choice
Call me with your real estate needs, or when looking at San Antonio homes for sale.
San Antonio Properties and San Antonio Real Estate
If you are looking for real estate in San Antonio then watch this intro by Liz
The Importance of a Buyer’s Agreement When Buying Properties in San Antonio
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Before buying any properties in San Antonio
know that with a Buyer’s Agreement the Real Estate Agent works for you.
Real Estate Buyer’s Representation Agreement, to Sign or Not to Sign
Are you in the market for real estate?
The San Antonio real estate market has some great opportunities
So make sure you understand the real estate buyer’s representation agreement.
San Antonio has thousands of real estate agents ready to help anyone ready to execute a San Antonio properties transaction. When buying, selling, building, or leasing properties in San Antonio, one wants a dedicated San Antonio real estate agent that will protect their client’s best interest and help with the best negotiation on price. There are many states that have “buyer beware” situations because there is no agency representation requirement. San Antonio Texas is fortunate to have buyer representation since the late 1990’s. In the past, real estate agents automatically represented the seller in a transaction either as a seller’s agent or a sub-agent, regardless of the real estate firm either agent was from. This meant that any information you shared with the real estate agent you were “working” with could be shared with the seller; which gave the seller the upper hand in their negotiating, hence, “buyer beware.”
Fortunately those times are gone and now buyers have the right to have their interests taken care of. By signing a Buyer’s Agency Agreement, the Broker and buyer are executing an agreement by which a client (buyer) grants the broker the “exclusive right to act as Client’s real estate agent for the purpose of acquiring property…” (TAR-1501, April14, 2006). The broker is obligated to use best efforts with acquiring property and negotiating the acquisition of the property, as well as maintaining confidentiality during and after the termination of the representation agreement. The agreement also explains to the buyer how compensation occurs, what happens when the broker has competing clients (clients interested in the same property), and the process in the event either party (client or broker) defaults on the agreement.
The buyer also has obligations to the broker when the Buyer’s Representation Agreement is signed. The obligations are simple and include working with the broker exclusively with acquiring a property, negotiating the price, and informing any other broker, salesperson, seller, or landlord that they are being represented by their broker. It is just as important that a home buyer remain honest and loyal to their real estate agent just as they would expect their real estate agent to be honest and loyal to them in a San Antonio real estate transaction. This Buyer’s Representation Agreement should not be feared, but rather welcomed. It secures one’s rights as a San Antonio buyer and can keep one from having to disclose private information to other San Antonio real estate agents, sellers, or landlords.
