Tips for Buyers

At TCCG Real Estate we have had the pleasure of working with a number of diverse buyers of residential property over the years, and in the course of our representations have learned a few things that we thought would be worth passing on, So here goes:

Tip #1: Retain an agent on an exclusive basis to represent your interests. Retaining a broker does not obligate you to buy anything, but does ensure that you will have someone who is only concerned with what’s right for you. Working with several brokers only guarantees that you will be last on their list when new properties come available, whereas a broker in an exclusive relationship should give you their full attention, knowing that if you do proceed with a purchase, they will be compensated in nearly all instances by the seller.

Tip #2: Be totally forthcoming to your agent with your criteria. Budget, location, size, views, horse property, setting….whatever is important to you, share with your agent, and be sure to prioritize your list.

Tip #3: Before looking at individual properties, take a few hours, or even a whole day, and have your agent give you an orientation tour of the valley. Even frequent repeat visitors to Jackson Hole are generally very surprised when they learn about all the diverse areas in the valley, and your agent should be able to orient you to those neighborhoods that best meet your criteria.

Tip #4: Negotiate hard, but not too hard. Remember that your objective is to acquire the best possible property for you and your family at a fair price, not to get nominated for the Negotiator of the Year award. We occasionally have clients who return year after year looking for the perfect deal, meanwhile foregoing the opportunity to have a property of their own in this very special place.

Tip #5: Consider retaining an attorney. Real estate agents are not lawyers, and a good attorney will go a long way towards ensuring that you don’t have title problems, survey discrepancies, HOA issues, and the like.

Tip #6: Be sure the physical condition of your prospective home is thoroughly vetted. At TCCG Real Estate, we encourage all of our clients to go beyond a standard inspection and have the home looked at by HVAC, plumbing, electrical, hot tub, well pump, and other professionals. In the context of the entire transaction, it’s not that much money, and could save you a lot of headaches down the road.