Choosing a Real Estate Agent Before You Choose Your House
As a home buyer you should put as much thought
into choosing your real estate agent as choosing your home. It is so
easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a new home especially
if
you
are not aware of how the game is played.
Resourceful consumers know that they should interview agents
to see how they will perform for them and to switch agents if
they are disappointed in an agents performance. How your needs will
be met should be based on the variety of services the agent offers,
the different skill levels and training he or she has, and the company
policies of the
firm they work for.
You may end up with someone who hasn't had much experience, if you met
the agent at an Open House or called the Listing Agent about a particular
house. It is not uncommon for new agents or part-timers
to conduct Open Houses and do "up-time" answering the phones
at the real estate offices, not that an experienced agent does not do
these things from time to time, but it is not enough to just take up
with the first agent you meet without first seeing if they are knowledgeable
of the area, the laws, and your interest. If they are the listing agent,
unless specifically disclosed otherwise, they
represent
the seller
in
any transaction
for
the sale of
a home. It is that
Agent's fiduciary duty to protect the
seller's position at all times. No matter what they tell you their
loyalty will lie with their selling clients. Listing Agents are, not
focusing on buyers' needs, you may end up with an agent who will do a
better job selling your house when the time comes rather than serving
your needs and wants now as a home buyer. A buyer's
agent is a better
choice.
If you have found a particular house but want a different agent you
may have to deal with something called "procuring cause" which
offers guidelines regarding who should get credit for the sale and consequently,
payment. That is why we say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of
cure: Choose your real estate agent before you choose your house.
It’s
not good to see a home with one broker and then bring another broker
to the same house for the second showing a month later. Such practices
could end up in a long bitter process between agents, slowing down your
closing process and perhaps even chancing the lost of your dream home
to another buyer.
Treat your agent with the same respect you expect from
them, tell them up front if you have worked with another agent in the
area, what homes they have shown you and why you choose to seek out
a different agent. A good buyer's agent armed with your expectations
will
transcend into a great buying experience for you and your family and
what a difference that will make in the enjoyment of your new mountain
home!
also see: Buyer's Agent vs Dual
Agent
That is why you want an
agent with experience like Gary
Ward to represent YOUR interest as a buyers agent when buying
a home.
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