Free advice coming to an ear near you

If you want advice on buying a home, you won’t have to go far.

There is a ton of free advice out there. It’s everywhere. Unfortunately, some of it may not prove to be very valuable.

There are people who have read about buying a home and other theorists, who are all quick to pipe in.

Then, there are the well-intentioned friends who bought a home a couple of years ago, eager to tell you what to do. And, of course, we know family members always know best, although they may live in another state.

There is a reason why we hear this phrase repeated year after year: “You get what you pay for.”

Free advice has little or no strings attached, but it can most certainly leave you vulnerable to misinformation and, at worst, feeling the pain from listening only to Auntie Mame.

So, today’s word is ‘professional.’

How much does professional advice cost, you say? The answer is: How much will it cost you if you do NOT use professional advice.

So here is my advice to anyone getting ready to buy or sell a property (and it’s free): Find a local realtor who has good credentials. That person will have knowledge of the local market and the experience to advise and guide you. Going it alone, with post-it notes filled with advice, will certainly risk the outcome you desire.

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