After 22-plus years in the business, I have heard this line from many a new client, “Why didn’t my agent tell me that!” Sometimes lack of communication is because the client didn’t ask, yet there are some aspects of buying and selling property that require intuition and skill on the agent’s part to think four or five steps ahead for any potential hiccups or danger, which my son would say, “Danger is a strong word, Mom. Strong.”

In 2018, with a wealth of information just a few clicks away on the Internet, it is more important than ever to have a professional guide you through the process of buying or selling real estate, and for you as the client to share any and all concerns you can think of with your agent. Take the SEI sewer line project in Bend. Zillow and other AVM Automated Valuation Modules (AVM) do not have the capacity to calculate this moving target and provide sound advice. The key is to listen to the client and project potential future concerns into discussions. I cringe when I hear a broker say, “Oh, you can get online and find that yourself!” How does that provide a service?

Here are some common statements from clients about being left in the dark:

My agent didn’t tell me this neighborhood dead-end road would be connected in the near future. If you see a road that is paved and suddenly the pavement stops at the property line, chances are that road will go through some day. When I am showing property, not only do I share any updates regarding the kitchen and bathrooms, I mention any potential changes coming up that I have learned with the road, the neighborhood, or the area so when it comes time for them to ponder making an offer, buyers know as much as they can about the property. Even if they don’t ask, I tell them to be ready in the future “just in case.”

My agent didn’t tell me to check the property boundary lines. Buying anything on acreage, even down to a half-acre, is an automatic ping to verify those property corners! If it looks like the neighbor has their own private access on the property, ask. It’s not unreasonable to have your offer subject to a contingency of the seller marking the corners. A good listing agent will have advised the owner to do this prior to the property going live if the property corners seem out of place or the access looks questionable.

The more solid information up front, the better confidence a buyer has in the process. Hiring a licensed surveyor to locate or mark the property pins before you close is way more manageable than having to fix a “property line-in-question” debate after closing.

Attorney fees, banking fees and top-end surveyor costs will drain your savings account faster than your kids shopping with your credit cards. Does that still happen these days? Did I just have an 80s moment?

My agent didn’t tell me my house could sell in one weekend. I remember a listing of mine—it was an adorable bungalow in downtown Bend back in 2012. The market was still suffering from the crash and even experienced agents knew it would take time to sell. Westside homes in Bend sat without offers. Crickets after you installed the for sale sign. Crazy, right? Crazy.

I had prepped them that it could take 30-45 days to sell and that’s what we expected. They were amazing home owners and did everything I requested in preparing their house for the market because it had to be perfect. It went live Friday morning.

The market was back that day! The switch flipped on and we haven’t slowed down since. The house sold within days and the sellers moved on to greener pastures.

Market expectations is a crucial aspect in working with both sellers and buyers. As a buyer, wouldn’t you rather know to have your financing or cash ready to go when you start looking? How will it feel

if you go out and think you have two to three days to think about the house you saw over the weekend, yet your agent is telling you right then you need to submit an offer or you will not be able to buy? Properties sell all the time and we never know when it will happen. Being ready is key when you start looking for your next home. Money talks in this market and you need to have your money ready to go.

My agent didn’t tell me I could buy with less than 20 percent down. This has been an ongoing discussion for years. There are so many loan options available. The difference now-compared to 10 years ago is that the economy is strong and while lenders aren’t just handing out money to all breathing beings, there are a myriad of options. Talk with your lender about what may work best for you. As a side note, those commercials you see on TV advertising low rates? Those are to get you to call that number at the bottom of your screen. If it sounds too good to be true … it probably is.