Instead, it’s best to interview at least three agents and ask them a few questions, including the following: You should not just take the first buyer’s agent you meet (as two-thirds of home buyers do), or blindly accept the recommendation of a friend (more than half do this). How to find a buyer’s agentĪ good buyer’s agent can ease your way to homeownership-and a bad one can result in a bumpy ride. You might want to hire an agent who is not representing the owner, and who is looking out for your best interests. However, you may still not be comfortable after signing an agreement saying you know someone is a double agent. Some states, recognizing this problem, required a disclosure of dual agency when a broker represents both sides of a real estate transaction. Yet make this same confession to the buyer’s agent you’re working with, and it’s all fine-this professional would know to keep this info private from sellers (and their agents), so it can’t be used against you. You might gush about how you love the home and want to buy it, but add that you will need to move soon-because you’re expecting your second child and need to decorate the nursery, pronto, or because the lease on your rental is up in a couple of months.Ī seller’s agent could then use this information against you by informing the sellers that your clock is ticking, so they shouldn’t budge too much on their asking price-if at all. Let’s say, for instance, you walked up to the listing agent at an open house. You need someone who will diligently fight for your interests and rights.” “Think about it this way: If you were getting sued, would you hire the same attorney as the person suing you? Of course not. “That’s why it’s in your best interest as a buyer to get an agent who is there to represent you,” explains Alex Cortez, a Realtor with Wailea Village Properties in Kihei, HI. listing agent: What’s the difference?īuyer’s agents are legally bound to help buyers, whereas listing agents-the real estate agent representing the home listing-have a fiduciary duty to the home seller. If negotiations become heated or hostile, it’s extremely helpful to have an experienced professional keeping calm and offering productive solutions.īuyer’s agent vs. Help overcome setbacks. If the home inspector’s report or appraisal brings new issues to light, a buyer’s agent can advise you on how to proceed with the transaction, and then act as a buffer between you and the sellers or their broker.This can also help expedite each step of the process and move you to a successful real estate sale all the faster. A buyer’s agent should also be able to refer you to reliable mortgage brokers, real estate attorneys, home inspectors, movers, and other real estate professionals. The buyer’s agent will advise clients on an appropriate price to offer and present it to the seller’s agent. “Then they will negotiate on your behalf and write up the contracts for you,” says Matt Laricy, a Realtor with Americorp Real Estate in Chicago. This is where the agent’s experience in negotiating deals can save you money and help you avoid pitfalls like a fixer-upper that’s more trouble than it’s worth. The agent can also explain the ins and outs of various properties and neighborhoods, to help buyers decide which home is right for them, by explaining the pros and cons of various options. After determining what the clients are looking for and what they can afford, the agent will schedule appointments to tour homes that fit the bill. Here are some of the things a buyer’s agent can do: “A buyer’s agent will guide you through the home-buying transaction and be at your disposal for any questions or concerns,” says Shane Wilcox, a Realtor® with Partners Trust. Realtor: Benefits of using a buyer’s agent when buying real estate Read on to learn how a real estate buyer’s agent can help, and how to find the right one for you. True to their name, buyer’s agents help real estate buyers navigate the real estate market they can also save you tons of time and money on the road to your new home.
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