Consumers planning to purchase a resale home require the assistance of several professionals. This column provides a brief description of who these professionals are and the role they play in the purchase of a resale home.

Once it is decided that you are going to purchase a resale home, you will likely need to hire a real estate agent. Purchasing a home without the help of a professional will be difficult in several ways.

A real estate agent first meets with his or her clients to determine what type of property they are looking for, the price range they are working within, and other important factors to be considered. Armed with this important information, the agent will then locate suitable homes and narrow down the list to a select group for his clients to view. An experienced real estate agent with a thorough understanding of the real estate market can provide valuable, professional advice regarding all prospective homes you are considering. Once you have chosen the home you want, the agent walks you through the rest of the purchase process, including negotiations with the vendor. Additionally, a good agent will provide the names of other professionals you need to complete your purchase.

It is wise to hire an agent with an established reputation and a familiarity with the areas you are considering. Your agent can also represent you if you need to sell your existing residence.

Consumers buying a resale home would be wise to hire a good home inspector. Your agent will likely recommend that you make your offer to purchase conditional on obtaining a satisfactory home inspection. A home inspection ensures that the major structures and components of a home (e.g., the roof, as well as electrical, plumbing and heating systems) are in good working order. If they are not, however, the prospective purchaser is notified and may proceed accordingly with this knowledge.

Without an inspection, you will not be made aware of problems that may exist. As a result, you may proceed with the purchase of the home without first taking appropriate measures.

For cases where a new home warranty is still in effect, it is still wise to hire a home inspector, as the results of an inspection provide the prospective purchaser with information that is valuable even if the matters revealed are covered by the warranty. Finding a reputable home inspection company is not difficult. You may rely on the recommendations of friends and family members or your real estate agent who have used home inspectors. By making your offer conditional on a home inspection, you have a way out of the deal if the inspection reveals major problems.

Prospective homebuyers will also require the assistance of a lender, or more likely, a mortgage broker. Among other things, your mortgage broker will help you determine what you can afford, the amount of money for which you qualify, and the various mortgage options from which you can choose. Your mortgage broker will find you the mortgage that best suits your needs along with the best interest rate available.

It is wise to have your mortgage pre-approved prior to signing an offer to purchase. This ensures that you do not get stuck with a home for which you cannot obtain an adequate mortgage. A pre-approved mortgage also gives prospective purchasers the security of a fixed mortgage rate, usually for up to 90 days. In the event that the mortgage rate increases between the date of the commitment and the date of closing, you get the benefit of the lower rate. It is also wise to make any offers to purchase conditional upon obtaining satisfactory financing. Doing so can prevent legal problems if the deal cannot close due to an inability to secure a mortgage.