Home Buying Agent
Using the services of a home buying agent is incredibly important, especially for first time home buyers. They act like consultants and advocates for you rather than like a sales person merely trying to sell you a home. Given that buying or building a home is probably the single largest purchase you will ever make in your lifetime, you need to give yourself every advantage possible! Having you own agent, at no additional cost to you, gives you that advantage. Home buyers can work with agents who represent the seller (listing agent), agents who represent the buyer (buyer agent or home buying agent) or agents who try to represent both the seller and the buyer (dual or designated agent, transaction broker or facilitator are several names used to describe this type of service). In the section, "Buyer Agent", you will learn more about the concept of exclusive buyer representation and exclusive buyer agent and buyer broker and what makes an agent, an agent - i.e., fiduciary duties. In the section, "One Date You Are Married", you will get a behind-the-scene's look at a little known concept referred to as "procuring cause". This is a concept by which an agent you make contact with can later claim they are due a commission on a home that you buy through another agent. In the section, "Agency Disclosure", you will read about the various agency disclosures that states have and the different relationships you can have with an agent. In the section, "Buying a Home Without a Realtor", we will explore the concept of buying a home fsbo, or in other words buying a home that is for sale by owner without using the services of your own agent. Locating the right agent is explained in the section, "Find An Agent". Need help finding a true buyer agent to assist you in buying a home? Click here for a free service to find an agent anywhere in the country. We also provide a list of "20 Questions to Ask an Agent", in this section, with explanation why the question is being asked and what you should look for by way of answers. There also is a 3 page worksheet available to use when interviewing agents. Concerned about "conflicts of interest"? You should be. Lots of conflicts can come about as you proceed with buying a home. For example, if you are buying an in-house listing, one that is listed with another agent in the same office. The seller wants the highest price and best terms for them. You want the lowest price and best terms for you. Or, when you are pursuing a property that another buyer client of the same office is bidding on as well, with each of you driving up the price. Or, what about the conflict that the real estate company has with the buyer and the seller for an in-house sale where the real estate company is "double-dipping" and getting both sides of the commission? Click here to read a very interesting and informative discussion of conflicts of interest and how my company, Home Buyers Best Realty LLC, is offering "conflict-free" home buyer only services.
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