What is a "Buyer Agent"

In a real estate transaction, there is a listing agent. The listing agent can be a "dual agent" supposedly representing the buyer and the seller. In reality, the listing agent gets paid by the seller and always represents the sellers interest.

If you have a buyer agent, he or she represents your interest and negotiates for your benefit. The buyer agent gets a commission from the total commission paid by the seller and there is no cost to the home buyer.

The duties of the buyer agent include:

• Show homes
• Prepare the purchase contract and negotiating the best price for the benefit of the buyer.
• Arrange financing
• Arranging home inspection, insurance and appraisal and negotiate with the seller if any problems crop up (they almost always do)
• Ensure the purchase "closes" smoothly

The buyer agent is an important part of the purchase process. It is very necessary to sign up with a buyer agent of your choice.

Having a buyer's agent to represent you, does not cost you anything or raise the price of the home. The buyers agent is paid out of the commission the seller would pay anyway.

This is also true if you are buying a new home from a builder. BE CAREFUL of visiting a new home development. If you go there personally you cannot later choose a buyer agent to represent you. If you decide to buy a home there, you will have no representation in the transaction. I can work with you to buy a new home, with representation.