You have made the decision to buy a house. Hopefully, you have done your homework early in the process.
Choosing the right real estate Agent is a great way to begin the process. Unfortunately, choosing the wrong Agent is way too easy. Simply calling the Agent whose name is on the sign in the yard of a house that is for sale is not the way to ensure you are being treated fairly.
Let’s be clear about this. The Agent that is listing/advertising the house for the seller has a fiduciary responsibility to the seller, not to you. Anything you tell that Agent is unlikely to be held in confidence. Anything you tell that agent is likely to be relayed directly to the seller.
Your ability to effectively negotiate, using the seller’s real estate agent, is significantly and negatively impacted by the Agent’s fiduciary responsibility to their client, the seller.
Ask friends, neighbors and family who they have worked with in the past. Was the Agent their ally or simply someone who wanted to earn a quick commission?
A dedicated Agent will direct you to other real estate professionals he/she has worked with on a regular basis with positive and productive results.
If an Agent is truly a ‘Buyer’s Agent’, a buyer’s advocate, the Agent will recommend good people to make your house buying experience as educational and problem-free, as possible. Their commission will take a back seat to your needs.
There are many, many dedicated and hard working real estate Agents. Finding one takes some work.
