HINTS FOR HOME BUYERS| Buying Options Often Open “Hidden” Doors (NAPSA)—Many consumers think that any home they might want to purchasewill be listed on real estate Web sites or in newspaper sections, whether sold through brokers or by owners. And indeed, most properties can be found this way. But limiting any search to just these channels can eliminate many prospects for a new home. Hidden Options The “hidden” options of auctions and foreclosures can open up greater possibilities. In some cases, these purchase methods can even offer opportunities to consumers who might not otherwise be able to purchase a home. Properties are auctioned by motivated sellers for a variety of reasons, but the reasons rarely have any effect on the property itself. In the recent housing mar- ket, foreclosure has become regrettably familiar. But this creates a situation where banks and other mortgagees have a surplus of properties that they would rather divest themselves of than own. Auctions and foreclosures can be found in most every area, too, and in almost every market seg- ment: single-family homes, condos, resort and multiunit properties. A Less-Traveled Path Yet many consumers may be unaware of these purchase options or are reluctant to pursue them, due to a lack of knowledge. Certainly, learning the ropes to these “alternative” homeownership paths can be difficult, and the cost of making a mistake can be steep. However, working with someone who understands these industry niches can smooth out the Window of Opportunity—When looking to buy a home, many are taking a less-traveled path andvis- iting auctions and foreclosures. process. Real estate professionals who know how to manage both traditional transactions and those conducted through less wellknown purchasing methods can help guide consumers through the intricacies of such alternativemethod purchases. Realtors who have earned the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) designation understand these processes. They have taken special training to assist buyers in their home purchase, regardless of the turns the path takes. Whether it’s down the traditional route—transacting business through a seller’s agent—or along less-traveled paths of finding auction and foreclosure properties, ABR-designated Realtors make a buyer’s best interests their own. To find a local ABR-designated Realtor and receive a free Homebuyer’s Toolkit, visit www.REBAC.netor call (800) 6486224.
