What exactly does a buyer’s agent do? That’s an excellent question, and we’ve got the answer. A PA buyer’s agent has a duty to act in the buyer’s best interest, honor confidentiality, and deal honestly and in good faith. They act as your fiduciary (looks out for your financial interests), and, at Philly Home Girls, they bring expertise and in-depth market knowledge, write offers, and navigate negotiations and your entire home journey. We sat down with three Philly Home Girls agents for a sneak peek behind the scenes and to find out what services they take pride in offering to their clients.
Allison Fegel
Knowledge is Power
It’s all about education. I review the purchase process and discuss financing and costs with all my clients. It’s very important that I keep up with new regulations so that my buyers have a smooth (and by the book!) transaction. Staying on top of grants and programs is a constant. I want to make sure my clients are getting the best loan for their purchase. I’ve worked hard to build a network of highly recommended lenders that I trust and fit the individual needs of my buyers.
Pulling, and reviewing comps in the area with my clients assures they are getting the value they deserve. Providing closing cost estimates so buyers know where they are financially before making an offer is also essential. I attend my home buyers' inspections as they can be a stressful part of the purchase process. Having a calm agent who can negotiate on their behalf will make the process go smoothly.
More than window shopping
When it comes to finding homes to tour, I’m here to bust the myth that everyone finds their home on Zillow, clicks and that’s all you need. A home is a personal thing and may take time to find the one that fits the buyer. As I get to know my client’s tastes, it’s easier for me to know what they are looking for and I will pour through listings and sniff out the good ones to send their way. I'll preview properties in person, which is especially helpful if someone isn’t local. I am their boots on the ground in every aspect.
Scheduling appointments and creating agendas for showing tours is no easy feat. We may tour 3 homes or 50 homes over days, weeks, or months all across different neighborhoods. An efficient itinerary for each day of showings makes it a fun and pleasant experience vs. a harried day of running around. Often if an appointment is made without an agent, it isn’t automatically confirmed. I’ll always work directly with listing agents to confirm and make sure access instructions are clear so there aren’t any surprises.
Kate Kyle
VIP Connections
Zillow and other home platforms are amazing. They allow my buyers to peek, get to know their must-have list, and know what’s out there. However, you’ll want to pair that with a real live person. There are so many advantages to working with a well-connected agent who’s a local expert in your city (that’s me!). I have spent years building strong relationships with other agents within and outside of my brokerage. This allows me insight into homes that may be perfect for my buyers even before they come on the market. Those relationships also build trust. I recently had an experience where my clients lost out on a home with multiple offers. I kept in touch with the seller’s agent, and when the initial buyer fell through, he called me right away and my clients got the home. There’s no better feeling!
My connections extend beyond other Realtors too. I have lenders and inspectors I work with and trust their level of service and expertise. When my clients first move into their home, I want the experience to be smooth, and having great contacts of plumbers, contractors, and painters at my fingertips is one way I can help them relieve their stress.
Rachel Shaw
Balancing new and old
The beauty of the Philadelphia area (city and burbs) is you have brand new construction to older homes from the 1800s - 1900s. Part of my job is knowing the ins and outs of all types of properties. Looking at the quality of construction, keeping up with the reputation of developers in the area, knowing how an older property ages and when it’s ok or something to look into. I always like to look at the mechanicals I always like to take a look at the mechanicals, such as the water heater, HVAC unit, electric panel, and such. These can tell you a lot about the previous owners and how the home has been cared for.
Hand in hand with that is keeping abreast of township requirements, knowing zoning ordinances, licensing use, and occupancy requirements. A big one is tuning into the property tax structure. Understanding the tax abatement attached to the property or the tax assessment can help my clients feel secure knowing what they're committing to.
Speaking of commitments, when all is said and done, and my folks have their new keys, I always remind them to apply for the Homestead Exemption (if no tax abatement is present). It can help save up to $1,119 on your property taxes a year! Due to Philadelphia’s aging plumbing, I always encourage my clients to make sure they get sewer insurance!
Shaping strategy together
Offers on properties are not one size fits all. It’s important to put together an offer strategy that’s tailored to that property. Do you really need an escalation clause in this instance? Are the sellers motivated and willing to talk seller’s assist? Or will that cause the deal to crumble? I work with my buyers to represent and negotiate on their behalf so that they have a compelling offer that will allow them to confidently move forward in the process.
New home, new friends
Community is a big part of moving into a new home. I’m all about bringing my clients together, it's an additional service that I love to provide. I recently was touring with a client on the same block that other buyers of mine lived on. They were wanting to know if the walk to school would be okay for their kids. A quick intro and the parents were able to swap neighborhood know-how and in the process made new friends!
Whether you are looking for someone who knows the anatomy of a home, the importance of maintenance and beyond or even when the good festivals in your neighborhood are, Philly Home Girls brings all the details and expertise of being a stellar buyers agent. Contact us and let’s get started!
Saving money for a downpayment and closing costs is the # 1 reason people are holding off on purchasing a home. PHG agent Rachel Shaw came up with a trusty list of some of her favorite homebuyer assistance grants and loan programs. With a little help, your dream of owning a home may not be as far off as you thought!