What's a Buyer's Agent Anyway?

 
Dustin&Stephanie used Lora Bladow at RE/MAX Unique Sales as their Buyers Agent and scored a GREAT deal on their dream home!

A great question has been posed to me several times this week already, which makes it the obvious choice for a blog topic!  I've literally had 3 seperate people ask me what a Buyers Agent is and why someone should use one JUST THIS WEEK!

Here's the answer:
A buyers agent is a representative of the Buyer and only the buyer in a real estate transaction.  Buyer's agents are responsible for counseling a buyer on loan options they might qualify for, helping the buyer determine what price range they can afford (NOTICE I didn't say what they qualify for with a lender, but what they can actually afford, taking all things into account including: how much they will need to spend to get a property in the condition they want it, utilities, upkeep, emergency fund for unexpected repairs, insurance, decorating, furnishing, landscaping, etc.), narrowing down the vast market of homes into a smaller list that would fit the buyer's wish list/needs list within that price range, negotiating the best possible price & terms on a property, assisting them with finding quality inspectors, insurance companies and lenders, making sure they understand the terms of the legal contract they are binding themselves to prior to them signing the dotted line, and accompanying them to the closing table to ensure the process goes smoothly. 

But wait...there's MORE!  A good buyer's agent will then follow up with their clients after the closing to see if there are any issues or questions the Happy Homeowner's now have...even if it's as simple as finding out from the previous owner what that mystery light switch is for, or what color paint was used in a room. 

Another high note....Buyer's don't pay their agent!  In most cases, the SELLER has already offerred to pay the buyers agent!

To summarize why Buyers should be using a Buyer's Agent, here's the quick answer: 1) To save Money  2) To save Time  3) To save Heartache

I certainly can't think of a single reason anyone would want to risk it going alone...can you?