Home Buying Made Easy

Step Four—Connect With a REALTOR^®

Your real estate agent is going to be your representative throughout your purchasing process. You can find a real estate agent by getting a referral from a friend, a co-worker or a family member.

Here is a list of questions to use as a guide in interviewing and finding the right real estate agent for you:

• How long has he or she worked in real estate?
• Does he/she have a number of homes in your price range to show you?
• How familiar is he/she with the area?
• If you’re active in the military, ask if the prospective agent is familiar with the issues you face, such as the tax consequences of staying in the home for less than two years, or tying up your VA entitlement by letting someone assume your Veterans Administration loan?
• Ask for references from former customers.
• Is he/she a member of the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR) and has access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?

Get a Rebate with Navy Federal’s RealtyPlus Program—a member advantage that puts money in your pocket. RealtyPlus is a free nationwide real estate assistance program that partners you with a real estate agent familiar with your area. You can use them to help you locate and buy a home (and sell your home). If you use them, you may be eligible to receive a cash rebate worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. Find out how to get cash back when you buy or sell a home.

For Sale by Owner (FSBO)

When you are driving around during your search, you may find a home that is being sold by its owner, not a real estate company. If a realtor is not involved in the transaction, there are some items that the purchaser or seller will need to handle, such as writing the sales contract, obtaining a termite report, and choosing the settlement agent. If working with a realtor, consult with him/her on how to proceed with a FSBO.

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