Your home is likely one of the biggest investments you will make in your life time. It would be unwise to make this kind of investment without someone to serve as your advocate and guide throughout the process.
Benefits of a Buyer’s Agent or Realtor
Whether it’s your first home or your fifth, each home purchase is unique. There are many pitfalls to avoid when buying a home and a Buyer’s agent has fiduciary responsibility to you, as the Buyer, to ensure your interests are taken care of throughout the process. Understanding the results of your home inspection and what items must be addressed vs. what items can be put on a honey-do list for later. Does the home have any material defects that need to be addressed? Is the foundation in good shape? When it comes to the negotiation process, an experienced agent can help navigate stubborn or intensely personal issues. What if the appraisal comes in too low? An experienced buyer’s agent will help you navigate these challenges.
There is simply no downside to hiring a buyer’s agent; their services are typically free to the buyer because the seller pays all real estate commission fees. When you have a dedicated buyer’s agent, they can provide you with the knowledge and resources you need to make good decisions about one of life’s biggest investments. The internet is full of advice, much of it from so-called experts, but nothing is more subjective than real estate. Although the internet can be helpful, you should be able to rely upon your agent to guide you through this experience.
Choosing A Buyer’s Agent
When selecting a real estate agent, be sure you have an agent that is:
- Full-time. If they are part-time (even a friend of the family), they likely do not possess the knowledge and experience you need.
- An agent should have a minimum of 5-10 years in the business. This provides them extensive experience working with many different types of buyers and transactions. That experience can be invaluable.
- Dedicated Buyer’s Agent. Some teams provide the ability for Buyer’s to have a dedicated buyer’s agent. This means the agent works solely with Buyers and has often mastered the art of the buying process. It’s not always easy to find a team with this devotion to skill set, but it’s worth the effort to seek out and have an agent devoted to your specific needs.
- Geographic Focus. Some agents will try to be all things to all people – meaning they work in a very wide geographic area. However, much can be said for the agent who focuses on a specific geographic region since they are often intimately familiar with specific neighborhoods, what areas are hot or not, and market factors that can influence the offer you make.
A buyer’s agent can also provide resources that can assist with the lending process, any renovation work the home may need, etc. The Donnelly Group has a team of strategic partners that have assisted our clients buy and sell over a thousand homes! Contact us now for a free buyer’s consultation.