01/26/2023
Why use a Realtor?
I won't write about the obvious reasons found on the internet like negotiation skills or contract expertise or access to all the forms. I won't write about market knowledge or use of the MLS and doing a comparative market analysis. Never mind access to every house a home buyer would want to look at or the use of professionally taken photographs including drone footage and 3D pictures. And the high ethical standards that Realtors pledge to uphold and guide their practice by? Nope, I won't mention it.
I want to tell you about my Realtor. The one who helped my wife and me navigate the home buying process in a crazy year for the housing market. It was 2010 and it seemed like the homes we were interested in were in foreclosure or short sale. Or worse. We were outbid by someone else more than once. We were approved for $60,000 more than what I wanted to spend. I knew what we could spend on a monthly payment and we stuck to it. Said that to say this. We didn't have the biggest budget she'd ever seen.
That didn't matter though. Anna treated us like million dollar buyers. We'd either meet her at the houses on the list or she would drive us around. She and Pat would also go looking during the day while I was at work. They got along like old friends. One day I asked, "Did y'all really do house hunting or just have a girls day out?" Anna showed us a bunch of houses and did so in a very professional manner.
My kids grew up in base housing and rentals. A career in the Navy had us moving often so I had never bought a house of our own. After moving from Ft. Belvoir housing, we moved to a rental in the Fort Hunt area. It was the best neighborhood I've ever lived in. We stayed six years and issues with basement flooding and other things, I decided it was time to buy a house. But, where and how do we start?
I would use a VA loan so I found a mortgage broker to help with that part. We got preapproved so now what? We had to look at houses of course and that meant finding a Realtor. The loan broker recommended Anna Vidal and we never interviewed any other. She was an immediate fit. She drove us around and we met her there depending on the circumstances. She sent e-forms for e-signatures and we once went to her house to sign a form. She explained everything and walked us through the confusing and nerve-wrecking process. Plus, she did Doberman rescue and three of them walked up to us while we were going over the paperwork. They got a good sniff and some ear scratches and we bought a house.
So, if you are looking to buy or sell, give me a call, email, or text and I'll work like Anna to help you get it done.
