Why Phil Hutson?

Internet technology has made buying and selling a home today much easier than it was as little as five years ago. In the past, only REALTORS had the information needed to purchase a home, and that information was a closely guarded “secret”. The “secret” information was only revealed to those needing to purchase a home, and then it was “shared” with the potential purchaser only because that REALTOR was going to be paid for “sharing” it!  But the internet has changed all that – not only is this once “secret” information now open to the public, the same REALTORS that would not share it are now having to PAY to get to reveal it! WOW - have times have changed! But for homebuyers and REALTORS both, (some REALTORS would disagree), this change has been good – more knowledgeable buyers, and more “service oriented” REALTORS!

So, with all this information in the buyer’s hand today, the question is sometimes asked, “Why do I even need a REALTOR?” to purchase a home, and even more specifically, “Why me – Phil Hutson – as THAT REALTOR?” Well, hopefully I can answer those questions, and if you like my answers and looking for REALTOR assistance, you’ll fill out the contact form, or give me a call – locally @ 837-9007, or toll free @ (888) 410-5858!

I know you’re not supposed to answer a question with a question, but I’m going to do it anyway – please bear with me!

• KNOWLEDGE.

First question: is the Internet information – price, floor plan, area, Mortgage Company, and school district - all you need to know to purchase a home?  The right answer should be, “NO”. For most people, this is the single largest investment they will make in their life! There is SO much more that goes into finding that perfect home at the right price with the best loan in the best school district in a great community than just scanning the Internet. You need to know if the area is safe. You need to know if the price is comparable to other homes sold. You need to know ABOUT the school, more than just how it ranks (having raised 5 kids I know the value of good schools!). You need to compare SEVERAL mortgage companies for the best interest rates, and the best loan package. You need to know the difference between buying a “resale” home and a “new” home, and when it makes more sense to choose one over the other. And if you choose to purchase a new home, you need to know the questions to ask to negotiate the best deal – even “on-site” agents have certain “tricks”, and are seasoned veterans at negotiating the best deal for their Builder (I worked five years as an “on-site” builders’ agent selling new homes – I know the “tricks”!). And last-but-not-least, you need to know what to look at and look for during the inspection of your home before closing, and in the case of purchasing a “new” home that you are having or had built, what to inspect during the FOUR critical stages of construction. You need to know someone with the knowledge of all of the above. Having sold hundreds and hundreds of homes (new, custom, and resale) in the last twenty-three years, I’m that someone.  

• RESEARCH.

Second question: what do you do for a living? I bet the answer is NOT “…help people buy a home”. In fact, most people only buy a home for themselves, and do so maybe 3-4 times IN THEIR LIFETIME! And a few still do so without a REALTOR! So, my next question is: what makes that person think he’s a professional in the “home-finding” game, when they barely qualify as an amateur?  As I mentioned above, you need the knowledge of the game, and that only comes from research and years of experience. Research not only from books, newspapers, and the internet, but from selling homes in the many neighborhoods, and getting the feedback firsthand from friends, neighbors, school teachers, city council members, police officers, and the many others that live and work there on a daily basis. Research from calling on mortgage brokers periodically to determine any new loan programs and the current interest rates. And research on the most current pricing trend of homes – up, down or static - by calling on the home builders on a weekly basis, for as “new” home prices go, so goes the market. This is the type information you need to make the most informative decision, and this is the type research I do and have done for every client I have worked for in the last twenty-three years!

• EXPERIENCE.

Third question: if you had a brain tumor, needed brain surgery, and could pick your surgeon, would you choose one with 3 years experience or 25 years experience? If given the choice, I know which one I would pick! I would pick the one that had the most extensive knowledge, experience, and hundreds and hundreds of hours in the operating room – one that had seen what had gone wrong in a procedure and known how to fix it, or known what could go wrong and circumvented the problem even before it became one. The same applies when it comes to choosing a REALTOR - the one with the most experience, the one that has sold hundreds and hundreds of homes generally has a much better idea of the problems and/or potential problems, and the ways to “surgically” remove them if that problem occurs. A licensed REALTOR since 1984, a licensed BROKER since 1986, and the owner of two real estate companies since 1989, I’m sure I haven’t seen it all, but I’ve certainly seen enough to handle just about any real estate “procedure”, and  “surgical” remove most real estate problems that may arise!

• FIDUCIARY. (Latin, fiduciaries; n.,“a person who stands in a special relation of trust, confidence, or responsibility in his obligations to others, as a company director or an agent of a principal.”)

Last question: if you were being sued in a court of law and needed a lawyer to defend you, would you (A) ask the prosecuting attorney for help and advice, (B) represent yourself, or (C) hire your own reputable attorney whose fiduciary was to only you? Stupid question, because hardly anyone would choose (A) or (B) – right? But in principal that’s what a lot of people do when buying a home without a REALTOR – they ask the “seller’s (or builder’s) agent” for help and advice, or they simply “wing it”! If you decide to “wing it”, how can you be sure that you have covered ALL the bases (see “amateur” above…)? And do you honestly think the seller’s (or builder’s) agent, who has total fiduciary (see definition above) to his client, THE SELLER, is going to tell you the good AND the bad about the home they’re trying to sell, and offer it to you at the very lowest price possible? The obvious choice (to most) would be (C) – ‘hire a reputable REALTOR (i.e., Phil Hutson)’. One that has a fiduciary (see definition above) interest and obligation in finding you the perfect home, in the best area, with the best schools, at the lowest price, with the best interest rates, etc., and do ALL this AT ABSOLUTELY NO CHARGE! That’s right - it’s called “Buyer Agency” – legally work FOR YOU and get paid by THE SELLER (the Texas Real Estate Commission made “Buyer Agency” legal in Texas several years ago). For professional representation, at no charge, from one who will “…stand in a special relation of trust, confidence, and responsibility…”, and with the knowledge, experience, and years of research, to find you that perfect home, give me a call!

• INDIVIDUALITY.

It seems the “big deal” these days from a lot of Real Estate agents/Brokers to have a  “team” or a “staff” or an “assistant” to work with you after initially meeting with that agent/Broker. You think you’re going to work with the “big dog” with the big bark, but end up working with a “little pup” with a small yelp! The premise is supposedly to “…provide better service…”, but in reality most of the time the “big dog” is “too busy”, and the “little pup” is not as qualified. I have no staff and no assistants. I tried that several years ago and found that none of my Brokers/Agents could provide the level of expertise and knowledge that I could, and I could not guarantee to that client he/she had received professional representation – so - I fired all eight of them. As your Buyer Representative, I promise to personally work with you from contract-to-close, to insure you receive professional assistance from beginning to end.

• HONESTY/INTEGRITY.

WHY ME? Because in addition to all of the reasons above, I promise:

*…to treat you with the respect of a valued client making a very important decision, not just another sale for a commission.
*…to treat your purchase as if I was my purchase - if I wouldn't "do the deal", I won't let you.
*…to work for you in a Christian manner and attitude – “..the truth and nothing but the truth..”

*…to give you my full attention, and guide you to a wise decision based on solid information.

*…to be as competitive in dealing with someone trying to sell you a home as I have been with the baseball teams I've coached for the last 30 years - you see- I don't like to lose! And I promise, you won't....!