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Why Choose A Buyer's Agent When Purchasing A Home?

There are a number of reasons for choosing a "buyer's agent" when purchasing a home in Greenville, SC or anywhere you may purchase real estate. A buyer's agent represents your best interests, and works to get you the home you want at the best price and the best terms. Part of this includes preventing you costly errors, such as failing to find out about defects in a property or its actual value.

Traditionally, all real estate agents represented the home seller, and the buyer had no representation during the home search and purchase. Today, home buyers can benefit from professional representation by choosing a "buyer's agent." Legally, a buyer's agent responsibilities are defined by state laws and the REALTORS Code of Ethics, and generally include confidentiality, full disclosure and accurate accounting. A buyer's agents goal is to help you buy the home you want and buy it at the right price.

What duties does a buyer's agent perform?

The first thing I do as a buyer's agent is welcome you to the team. When I assist you in purchasing a home I will offer you professional and educated advice, but I will never forget that YOU are purchasing this home. We will work as a team to find you the best home at the best price. Also, when you hire me as your agent, you hire the entire AgentOwned Realty team, so that we can better serve you.

In addition, I represent you in every part of the purchase process from negotiating, to assisting you with finding financing, to writing the offer, to finding the right attorney.

I will provide professional advice in finding the right property at the right price.

I will locates and research properties that meet your requirements and negotiate with the seller.

I will put you in contact with mortgage services, title and insurance agencies.

I will review documents for accuracy.

I will not only negotiate a price, but attempt to negotiate other things as requested by you, my employer.

I will put in touch with home inspectors and termite inspectors.

At closing, verifies that all terms and conditions of the purchase agreement are met.

In addition to this, as your representative, I will attempt to obtain and share helpful information with you, such as:

Whether the seller would accept a lower price.

The seller's reason for selling and their timetable.

How long the home has been on the market?

Previous offers and counteroffers for the property.

Strengths and weaknesses of the property.

How is a buyer's agent paid?

A buyer's agent usually receives a share of the sales commission built into the list price. In most cases, a listing agent agrees to split a sales commission with any agent who obtains a buyer for the seller's property. So, it doesn't cost you any more to be legally represented by a buyer's agent. Should the home be a For Sale By Owner, I would negotiate this with owner prior to visiting the home.

Realtors^?, Buyers Agents

Buying a home can be a daunting task, but there are different ways to complete the same journey. Some buyers will turn to a real estate agent or Realtor to assist them through the process. Others will procure the services of a buyer's agent. Finally, some will check the For Sale by Owner (FSBO) listings. Bottom line, it's a matter of personal taste. Here is a brief look at the pros and cons of each:

Realtors:
A real estate agent is bound by certain obligations, putting the client's interest above anyone else's, keeping the client's information confidential, obeying the client's instructions, reporting to the client anything that might be useful and accounting to the client for any money involved.

Realtors also can help walk a buyer through the process, answer questions along the way and generally provide a security blanket during a challenging time.

Buyer's agents:
The buyer's agent is just as it sounds, a person hired to protect the buyer's interests. The agent will negotiate on behalf of the buyer, protect the buyer's confidentiality and relate all information to the buyer. Likewise, a seller's agent provides the same services to his or her client. There also are intermediary agents who work on behalf of both the buyer and seller and seek to find the best possible deal for everyone involved.

Always remember who works for whom. A seller's agent is duty-bound to pass all information along to the client, as is a buyer's agent duty-bound to pass on all information to his or her client. If you choose not to hire a buyer's agent, remember this when entering a home that is listed with another agent. This seller's agent is not obligated to you as the buyer. Don't fall into the trap thinking the seller's agent is working for you; he or she is not, and therefore not obligated to divulge any information to you regarding the seller; such as reason for selling, why they are asking a certain price, is there a divorce, forclosure, etc. In addition, the buyer's agent is obligated to not divulge any reason for your desire to purchase.