Real Estate: Buyer's Agents

When choosing to sell their property, most home owners contact several Realtors after researching agents in their area. They ask their friends and family for recommendations and interview possible realtors to make the best choice. They understand that it's important for the successful sale of their home to choose someone who has experience in home sales, knows their area and is connected to a network of potential buyers. Most home owners recognize that their house is on of their main, if not their primary, asset, which motivates them to take the selling process very seriously. However, few buyers put this kind of due diligence into finding a buyer's agent. Many of them simply fall in with a buyer's agent and rarely stop to consider whether they are the best person for the job.

Buyer's agents assist the home buyer in a myriad of ways from securing financing to understanding legal documents and closing paperwork. They help the buyer find a home of their liking, negotiate a sale price and ensure that all of the parties involved have the proper documentation on the day of closing.

When it's time to choose a buyer's agent, make sure you know what you want. For instance, some agents do real estate part time or as a second job, which may mean that they will have less time to show you homes. A realtor with a staff of five people might have plenty of manpower devoted to your housing search, but you may generally communicate with assistants instead of the realtor himself. You may also want to ask prospective agents how many clients their working with to determine how much time they will have for you personally.

Once you have made a decision, your realtor may want you to sign an agreement stating that you will work exclusively with them. This may seem a bit uncomfortable, but it's important to remember that your realtor is doing a lot of work behind the scenes, not to mention using their own money to drive to houses that you might be interested in buying while also spending time showing you homes. You can request an agreement that is shorter term in case you decide that you don't want to work with the agent further down the road, but do remember to respect the financial and time commitment devoted to your home purchase.

If you're considering buying a home in the East Lansing or Greater Lansing area please contact me at MyRealtorRob. As a Realtor with Tomie Raines, I can quickly help you find homes that fit your needs and wants while also assisting you with financing, understanding market values and connecting you with other housing resources.