Tahoe Buyers’ Real Estate Agent

Making an investment in Tahoe Real Estate is more than just about buying a home, or condo in your price range. It’s my job as your Tahoe Buyers’ Real Estate Agent to help you find the right property and location so you can “Live the Tahoe Lifestyle ~ Your Way!”

I’m here to help you put the massive amounts of real estate data, information, and listings you are finding on the internet into perspective.

My job is to help you understand the different Tahoe neighborhoods, locations, features, and choices. What adds value, things to consider that are unique to our area, and finding the right opportunities for you.

You know what you want, so let the experience that a Tahoe Buyers’ Real Estate Agent / REALTOR® has, help you to find the right property.

Here is what to expect when you work with Laura Allen, Tahoe Buyers’ Real Estate Agent.

Initial Meeting: At our first meeting you will receive my Tahoe Buyers’ Real Estate Welcome Packet, which includes the following:

Local Area Map Guide & Information Book: Buyer tips and Tahoe information.
Newsletter: If numbers and market data are your thing, you’ll appreciate this newsletter.
Sample Contract Documents: Agency, California Association of REALTORS® Residential Purchase Contract, and local disclosures.
Special Disclosures: Information on Short Sales, Bank Foreclosure REO Properties (special disclosures).

I will also have a special Tahoe Property Tour Guide for the day, which includes the following:

Property List: A detailed list of all Tahoe properties we are going to see that day.
Property Details: Detailed property information on each property.
Property Map: A detailed area map showing you where each property is located.
Professional Presentation: Your information is printed in color and is bound together so you’ll have it available for you to review as you go along, but also have for after the tour has ended. You’ll know which properties you liked, and which ones you didn’t like and information on Homeowner Associations if applicable.

On-Going Service: I will set you up for automated property alerts for all Tahoe properties in your price range that meet your needs to be sent to you as soon as they are entered into our system.

Remember, as your Tahoe Buyers’ Real Estate Agent, I can represent you on:

Any property in our MLS system regardless of who the listing broker is on
the property.
Any property you find on the Internet.
Any neighborhood property you find driving through the area.
Any For Sale By Owner property.

Contract: Paper work, paper work, and more paper work. When it buying or selling, the amount of paper work – documents, disclosures, advisories, and informational items can be over-load.

So when it comes to your contract, know that while I will prepare your offer for you (we use the California Association of REALTORS forms, along with our local addendums) we will take the time to figure out what terms, conditions, and contract items are important to you so they are addressed in your Tahoe property offer.

I also use DocuSign electronic service, so we can conduct business remotely. Not only is it convenient, it also provides us the opportunity to go through the documents line-by-line, page-by-page as if we were meeting in person and address all of your concerns and questions before moving forward.

You will have questions, concerns, and items you want addressed, and I’m here to take you through that process.

Contract Negotiations: You should know that I have extensive experience in negotiating in multiple offer situations, short sales, REO’s, estate sales, and the standard equity sale for single family homes, condominiums, townhouses, and vacant lots. I’m here to help guide you through the entire buyer-seller negotiation process.

Property Investigation/Buyer Due Diligence: In escrow I’ll be there to help you through the Buyer Due Diligence phase and your physical investigation of the property.

You’ll need local home inspectors, pest inspectors, contractors/trade professionals and I have people ready for you to select from. You’ll find that you’re not alone, and that I’ve surrounded you with skilled professionals.

Closing Escrow: Once it’s time for the transaction to close, we’re here to help you with the final details. Perhaps it’s meeting a delivery truck, or letting a contractor in to do some repairs or make some upgrades. I understand that as a second home owner, this level of service is what you’ll need to make a smooth move into your new Tahoe home.

Cost of a Tahoe Buyers’ Real Estate Agent – My Fee is Negotiable: Starting August 17, 2024 (California is looking to make this a law for all licensed agents/brokers by January 2025), all Buyers will need to enter into a written Buyer Broker Real Estate Agreement prior to doing any real estate activities, including looking at property for sale.

The rules will now require for Buyers to enter into a Buyer Broker Agreement prior to seeing any property with an agent or engaging in any real estate activities. Yes, this is a big change in how things will be done in the industry.

A Buyer Broker Agreement will identify in writing how much a Buyer will pay for real estate representation and services.

OPEN HOUSES | Even at open houses Buyers will now be asked to sign in on the “Property Showing and Representation Agreement” and register before walking through the property. Again, big changes in how things are done in the real estate industry.

These are significant changes in how real estate transactions have worked in the past and as a Buyer you need to be prepared for these changes. You will have questions and you can call me at 530-414-1260 at any time to learn more about the new rules and procedures that will govern how we do things.

Why change? In a word – “Transparency”!

While real estate commissions/fees have always been negotiable, however, starting in late summer 2024 our real estate procedures will change.

Get ready for significant changes! Buyers will take a pro-active role in setting what their agent is paid.

They can also identify to their agent their goals on how they would like for that fee to be paid, including only seeing properties that the Sellers have identified that they are open to, or have indicated they are offering a Buyer Financial Concession of either $X’s, or a percentage (%) of the sales price.

Buyer Agent payment options may include:

Buyers pay the fee directly with no financial Seller assistance.
Buyers negotiate through their offer for the Seller to pay (Partial Payment) a part of that fee.
Buyers negotiate through their offer for the Seller to pay the entire Buyer Agent fee.

Will Buyers’ Agent know what Sellers are offering? Are they offering Buyer financial concessions, or offering to pay the Buyer Agent Fee? Is a Seller open to negotiating that cost as part of the purchase?

Your Buyer Agent will need to ask, and in my opinion, an organized Buyers’ Agent that uses check lists, and has their list of questions they ask a Seller Agent before showing a property really becomes valuable information for their Buyers.

What happens if a Buyer cannot through the purchase contract negotiations successfully get the Seller to provide a Seller financial concession to pay a part, or the entire Buyers’ Agent Fee?

If the Seller says no to paying for, or offering a financial credit for payment of the Buyers’ Agent fee, then the Buyer will be financially responsible for paying their own agent at the close of escrow, or based upon the terms they have agreed to in their Buyer Broker Agreement.

So, if you don’t have the extra funds to pay for your Agent, be honest, let your Agent know. As a Buyer if you need the Seller to pay for your Agents’ fee, then you may need to limit your property search to only those properties that are promoting that the Seller is offering that financial concession.

Buyer Tip: Buyers should ask the Listing Agent if the Seller is offering to pay them (the Listing Agent) a separate Buyer Agent Fee (in addition to their listing fee) if a Buyer uses them to represent them on the sale of the property when they also represent the Seller.

This will tell you several things:

First, it will tell you if the Seller is open to paying a Buyers’ Agent Fee.
Second it will give you an insight into their negotiation strategy. If the fee is very low, or is currently zero, and needs to be negotiated, it may indicate that as a Buyer you may end up paying for part, or all of your agents’ fee.
Third, a Buyer may find that the Seller has already set a reasonable Buyer Agent fee, and that you may get that same amount for having your own Agent.

Using the agent that is working directly for the seller can be beneficial, but buyers really need to think about what their goals are by using the same agent as the seller.

The question then becomes do you want your own advisor, your own professional, your own advocate to help you through the process and is only worried about you the Buyer, or to use an agent that is working for both parties in the transaction. It’s a choice for you to make.

As your Tahoe Buyer’s Real Estate Agent, it is my goal to put money in your pocket, and to help you get you the best terms, and deal.

If you are in a multiple offer situation, we want to help position your offer in its best light given your situation and what you are willing to offer to get the property.

My focus is on you and not divided on the Sellers’ goals and objectives.

After the Purchase: After the escrow is over, I’ll still be here to provide support! In our second home market you may find in the weeks, months, even years after you’ve closed on your new Tahoe home that you may need local assistance. I’m just a phone call, text message, or email away. I’m here to help even after the sale is completed.

As Your Tahoe Buyers’ Real Estate Agent my goal is to be your local advocate, provide exceptional service, add value to your real estate transaction, and to provide support. My job is to make the entire process enjoyable, organized and informed.

Not all Tahoe Buyers’ Real Estate Agents are the same. In the Lake Tahoe – Truckee, California real estate market, you’re expecting more, and I want to exceed those expectations. These are just some of the things that I will do when I work for you as your Tahoe Buyers’ Real Estate Agent!

Everyone should have representation; talk to Laura Allen your Tahoe Buyers’ Real Estate Agent.

Need more help in trying to figure out your North Lake Tahoe – Truckee home/condo buying options?

Do you want to learn more about the different neighborhoods, locations, developments and their amenities, HOA fees and the ones that will best meet your needs?

Call me at 530.414.1260 and I can help you find the right place to buy!

Ready to make Tahoe City your second home? Check out what is for sale here:

Want to search the North Lake Tahoe – Truckee area by Map? Start with the Tahoe City and surrounding area and go from there!

Start with the Tahoe City area for homes, condos, and lots here:

Here is a list of some of the more popular neighborhoods on both the West Shore and North Shore of Tahoe City:

Here is a list of some of the more popular condo/townhome developments on both the North and West Shores of Tahoe City:

For all of your Tahoe real estate needs –

Laura A. Allen | 530.414.1260 | Laura@TahoeLaura.com
BROKER ASSOCIATE | North Lake Tahoe – Truckee Real Estate Professional, Advisor, Agent
CalRE# 01473598
Coldwell Banker | Tahoe City – Truckee, CA

All information is deemed reliable, but is subject to change, and/or correction without notice.

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