Buyer Agents - and Why you Want One!

As the person responsible for content on our website, I recently went looking for "quotable quotes" regarding buyer agents.

After all, our brokerage made the decision to become exclusive buyer agents, and we no longer have listings. In traditional real estate, this would have been considered suicide - "list to live" has long been the mantra of real estate agents.

The best quote I found was from Consumer Reports: "You can't have partial loyalty; an agent either works for you or works for someone else."

Of course that makes sense, but it is not often a homebuyers first inclination. They see a home, there is a sign out front, they call the listing agent. But as we have often discussed, they represent the Seller. And no amount of disclosure or legal wording will make them YOUR agent.

A real estate transaction is complex. Buyer Agents represent ONLY you and your interests to make sure you get the best possible terms and price, and that you (and your deposit) are protected should a problem arise.

Putting the scary legal stuff aside, though, lets look at other practical facts - a buyers agent does not represent listings, and therefore has no incentive to show one home over another - we show you the BEST homes for your needs. Buyers Agents are not consumed with marketing properties, holding open houses, or prospecting for new listings. This frees up our time to work on the buyers side of the transaction all day - every day. Not insignificant is the knowledge we provide by showing more homes than...well, let's just say we show alot of property, and know the neighborhoods well!

I will close with another quote I found which sums up the importance of buyer agency - "Groups such as the Consumer Federation and the American Association of Retired Persons recommend using buyer's agents...the reason is - they work." -Smart Money