When someone decides it is time to sell their home, they interview several Realtors from different companies to determine which one is best for them. They want someone who will represent them and someone they feel will do an effective job at marketing their home.

However, when someone decides to buy a home, they usually end up with their Realtor through sheer accident. Why don’t homebuyers search for a Realtor the same way that homesellers do?

Instead, homebuyers usually end up with a Realtor as a result of answering an advertisement. The advertisement will give a brief summary of a home available for sale along with the price, but it says nothing at all about the Realtor. 

So…does it really make a difference?

Listing Agents and Selling Agents

You see, there are two "sides" to every sale.  The listing side and the selling side.  Most deals have an agent representing each side, so there are generally two agents involved   The seller's side is represented by the listing agent.  The buyer's side is represented by the selling agent (sometimes known as the buyer's agent).

Agents can deal with both buyers and sellers, but the majority tend to focus their efforts on one or the other.  Some even exclusively handle either buyers or sellers.

So what should you do?

We simply recommend that you take as much care to hire a real estate agent as you would for any other professional.   Ask questions.  Ask about education, experience, and focus.

After all, buying your next house is probably the biggest purchase you've ever made in your life.  Does it make more sense to find your agent by accident…or by design?  Look for an agent who will represent ONLY your best interest in the transaction!

Most real estate agents represent only the seller's best interest when showing property to unrepresented home buyers! The seller agent's job is to obtain the "highest price possible" for their seller.

Buyers now have a choice. Once homebuyers understand buyer brokerage, they realize that it doesn't make any sense for buyers to look for a home with a seller's agent.  As a homebuyer, you need to understand why you should avoid dual agency at all times.

 
The buyer agent's job is to obtain the best price and terms for the buyer client. Exclusive buyer agents are loyal only to the buyer! We represent the buyers only, never the sellers.

Will an exclusive buyer agent cost you more?
NO! The commission does not change.

Will you have as many homes to choose from?
YES! All agents have access to the exact same "pool" of properties that are on the market.

 
We provide access to every home available on the multiple listing service. We allow you to shop the entire "home for sale market", not just the homes that the seller's agents decided to advertise that weekend, or has time to show to unrepresented buyer customers! We also search the For Sale by Owners for you. Register to Search for Homes.

Consumer advocates strongly recommend that buyers hire their own agents. They further argue that a coop-fee has already been built-in to the purchase price, and therefore, there is no need for the buyer or seller to incur additional fees when the cooperating agent represents the buyer.

 
Why would a Buyer Agent want to negotiate a lower price for the Buyers?  Won't that reduce your commission?

 
The way a Multiple Listing Realtor Co-Broke normally works is that on a 5% commission* (*used as an example rate only), 2.5% would go to the Listing Agency and 2.5% to the Buyer Agency on behalf of the Homebuyers. The commission is then split again 50/50 between Buyer Agency and the Buyer Agent.

 
Thus for every $1,000 that we reduce the sales price for you, your Buyer Agent's commission will only be reduced by $12.50. It is our job to make sure that you are an extremely happy, fully educated Real Estate consumer.

An exclusive buyer agent, or buyer broker, represents the home buyer and negotiates with the seller and the seller's agent to obtain the best price and terms for the buyer.

An exclusive buyer agent is loyal only to the buyer.

An exclusive buyer's agent represents buyers only.

An exclusive buyer's agent never represents sellers.

Exclusive buyer's agents do not accept listings.

Exclusive buyers agents will keep the buyer's information confidential.

Exclusive buyers agents will fully disclose to the buyer all information about the home.

What Does It Cost To Use An Exclusive Buyer's Agent?

Selling costs are usually built into the selling cost of a home, so typically, the seller pays all brokerage fees and sales commissions. This cost aspect will be discussed with you at your first meeting.

You have a choice as a buyer. You can either work with someone who represents the seller. Or, you can work with someone who represents you, and your interests.

Why would you have an agent who represents sellers?

Employ an exclusive buyer agent.

Contact us for more information…