Home Buying 101: Working with a Buyer Agent

• The main reason you want to work with a Buyer Agent is that you want someone who is on your side and your side only.  If you go directly to the seller’s agent of a particular property, that agent has been hired specifically to get the most money for their seller, not to look out for your interests or your wallet.  My friend mentioned that the agent did not seem to really seem to have time for her or to be proactive about her purchase process and negotiations –she felt like she was just another number.  Along with expertise, she wanted to feel taken care of and looked out for –all legitimate needs when you’re making what is probably the largest purchase of your life!  At the end of the day, in my opinion, it doesn’t matter who your agent is affiliated with as long as a friend or someone you trust has recommended them and feels that their work ethic and style will match your needs as a buyer –from my experience, buyers (and sellers for that matter) are happiest when their decision about who to work with is based on first-hand accounts from several trusted sources including their own gut reaction, rather than relying solely on what you read on a broker website or in a home buying book.
• You Don’t Pay the Buyer Agent’s Commission, The Seller Does!   I know it sounds funny, but here’s typically how it works (every scenario can be different).  The seller signs up with a listing agent and pays them a fixed percentage of the sale price –then when a Buyer Agent brings a buyer, half of that commission goes to the Buyer Agent for bringing the Buyer.  So most of the time, even if you went directly to the seller’s agent, they would still get the same percentage commission so it doesn’t make sense not to have half of that go to someone who is representing you instead of the seller.  Once in a while you may find a seller’s agent (and seller) who will agree to somehow lower the commission and/or sale price in a way that makes it financially better for a buyer not to bring another agent into the picture.  However, it is important to remember, once again, that the seller’s agent will only be looking out for the seller’s best interests –price, home inspection, etc.  Especially if you are not a real estate and/or neighborhood expert yourself, it doesn’t make sense not to take advantage of a service that doesn’t cost you anything AND potentially (most likely) saves you money since the Buyer Agent knows how to negotiate and knows the properties in his or her target neighborhoods well so can advise on value and offer strategy.  The Buyer Agent has a very real vested interest in making you happy and taking care of you –they don’t get paid if they don’t!  And then they also rely on your referrals and praise to keep growing their business.  Apart from these incentives, there are plenty of great Buyer Agents who simply do a great job for you because they sincerely love to help and are thrilled when a buyer finds their dream home –I can tell you from my experience, it really is a rewarding achievement to be a part of!
• You don’t need to reinvent the wheel in terms of investigating neighborhoods, finding the best properties that most closely match your needs/wants, or understanding and evaluating fair market value –this is what the Buyer Agent does every day!  If you find an agent you feel comfortable with and feel like you can trust, he or she is worth their weight in gold –they will provide you peace of mind, save you a ton of time in legwork and research, and educate you on properties you may not have known about because they’re hidden in an adjoining neighborhood or listed as a 1+ bedroom instead of 2. They will take your list of wants and needs and then help you think outside the box to find value!
• Do I need to sign something?  I don’t like commitment! Don’t worry.  Again, every agent is different.  Again, use your gut.  If and when you reach a point of mutual trust with an agent, you may consider signing something with them to assure them they will get paid for all their hard work regardless of how the final property is found.  Some agents only work with buyers who sign an agreement.  Others are happy to work with you and form a relationship and you can both decide if/when the time is right to put it in writing.  In any case, you will sign something, of course, when you decide to make an offer saying that this agent is representing you as a Buyer Agent (and that’s a good thing ….you don’t want them “representing” you when they really work for the seller!

Your life is busy and complicated enough –make sure to do yourself a favor and don’t try to become a real estate agent at the same time you decide to buy a house! There are knowledgeable people out there to help you.