Do I need to get pre approved before looking at homes? 

A. Most real estate agents and lenders highly recommend that you, as a home buyer, get pre-approved with a lender before selecting a home to purchase. This way, you will have the best information about the right price range for your budget and you won't waste any time considering homes that do not fit your loan program or budget.  A pre approval will also put you in a position to act quickly on making a strong offer. 

How are you, as a buyers agent, paid for your services?

A: The typical fee paid to a buyers agent at closing is paid by the seller and is usually divided between the listing broker (the company who has the home listed for sale) and me, your buyers agent. 

What if another agent, or company, has a property listed that I am interested in?

A: No problem! I belong to the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS), so I can show you homes listed with any agent. 

I went to an open house, and the listing agent said that he could represent me better and “fairer” than any other agent, so I really didn’t need a buyer agent. Is that true?

A: Of course agents try to be fair and nice to the buyer since they want to make the sale. But, because they are bound by Real Estate License Laws, the Law of Agency, and their Code of Ethics, they can only do so much without jeopardizing their license to practice. For instance, the listing agent cannot tell you if a property is overpriced or how to negotiate the best purchase price. Ask yourself if the seller has representation, shouldn’t you? As your buyer agent, I will always negotiate only in the best interest of you, the buyer. 

If you work for the buyer and you negotiate the price down, aren’t you also lowering the amount of commission you will make? Isn’t that a conflict of interest?

A: The difference is minimal. If I save you $5,000 on the purchase price of your home, I would only earn approximately $150 less in commission. Your goodwill and word-of-mouth advertising will be worth much more than that. I also have a legal obligation to represent your best interest. 

Isn’t the agent who shows me the home representing me?

A: If you walk into an open house, or a new construction- site model home and any agent tells you that they are
the only one who can “write” up the paperwork, don’t believe it! Agents who list properties enter into a signed contract with the seller to represent them in the sale of their property. My advice is that unless you have previously interviewed the agent and have entered into a written Agency Agreement wherein they have promised to represent only your best interest and you trust him/her, walk away. 

I’m moving to another city. Can you find me a buyer agent at my destination?

A: Yes. As soon as you find out that you are moving, call me and I will provide you with the name and phone number of an Accredited Buyer Agent nearest your destination. I can even screen agents for you at absolutely no cost whatsoever! 

Why should I use an agent to buy a builder’s new construction home?

A: The advantages are the same as those for purchasing a resale home. The builder has a professional real estate representative watching out for his/her interests, and you need and deserve the same expert representation watching out for yours. It is extremely important that your interests be professionally represented when you enter into a contract for a semi-custom or build-to-suit home. These transactions are very complex. The contract details must be exactly in order to protect you and to ensure that you get precisely the home you want.