I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Why would you want to negotiate such a huge, complicated and expensive transaction on your own, when using a buyer's agent to represent you costs you nothing?". Okay, so I haven't said it this exact same way before but please don't buy a house directly from the seller, builder or listing agent unless, of course, you were a Realtor in another life. There are just too many ways in which THEY are looking out for THEIR own or their client's interests, and not yours. A buyer's agent is always looking out for you, first and foremost, and putting your interests ahead of theirs.
Sure, you may think you've gotten a better deal by cutting someone out of the transaction, but have you? Maybe the builder says he'll reduce his price by $10,000 (equal to the real estate commission) but what's $10,000 over 30 years if he/she nickel and dimes you on everything else? Or the For Sale by Owner locks you into something you overlooked on his/her contract? And that Listing Agent, even though he/she is now not a designated agent for either of you, was originally working with the seller and knows things...
By all means interview several Realtors, get referrals from trusted friends, family and co-workers, surf the Internet but do not purchase a home without representation. Would you go to court without a lawyer?
Need good real estate representation in Johnson City Tennessee or anywhere in Northeast Tennessee? Contact me, I'm looking out for you and your best interests and no one else's.
Copyright 2009 by Kelsey Barklow. All rights reserved.
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