While not available in every state; Buyer's Agency is a huge benefit for a home buyer. Having a professional Buyer's Agent represent you in your next home purchase is always a sound decision. Let's take a look at how the Washington DC Real Estate Commission views a Buyer's Agent, and then we will discuss the Top 5 Benefits of having a Buyer's Agent represent you in your next home purchase.

According to the Greater Capitol Area of Realtors Agency Disclosure Guidelines :

Prospective buyers and tenants have realized in recent years that they want to have a licensee represent them exclusively in a real estate transaction. They do this by creating their own brokerage relationship, in writing, with a licensee who becomes their agent and owes them the duties of a standard agent.

A representative for the prospective buyer or tenant can freely advise the buyer-client about the property.  A seller dealing with a buyer's agent should remember that in this relationship, the seller is the customer and the licensee is working for the buyer.

And, according to the GCARR Buyer Agency Agreement: Download Buyerbrokerblank.pdf

The broker responsibilities to the client are:

1. Use Professional knowledge and skills to locate and present real property, which is available for purchase and suitable for the buyer's needs.

2. Assist Buyer through the process of property acquisition.

3. Represent the interests of the Buyer in all negotiations and transactions regarding the acquisition of real property.

Buying a home is the largest investment that most people will ever make. Having a real estate professional on YOUR side is a very smart move. For more information regarding this, here are the Top 5 Benefits of Having a Buyer's Agent represent you in the purchase of your next home:

1. Full Representation- A Buyers' Agent owes 100% of their dedication and loyalty to you, the home buyer. They do not have a reason or motivation to "sell" one house over another, and can thoroughly put YOUR interests above any sellers' wants or needs.

2. No Loyalty to Home Sellers or Listing Agents- Because of the 100% loyalty to you, their Buyer Client, a Buyers Agent does not need to look out for the best interests of the Seller, whatsoever. Their job is to get YOU - the Home Buyer, into the best home for the least amount of money and hassle possible. The Sellers' and the Listing Agents' wants and needs have nothing to do with the level of service provided by a Buyers' Agent to you, their Buyer Client.

If you were interested in a home, as an unrepresented buyer (no Buyer's Agent) that is listed by another agent, the only duty that the listing agent has is to not lie to you. That is it. They owe nothing else to you. They are not on your side. When you arm your self with a Buyer's Agent, you will have someone working hard for YOU at every point in the home buying process.

3. Great Knowledge of the Market- A Buyers agent knows "what is out there" better than anyone else. They spend much of their time looking at houses (both online and in person) and fully understand what is available and where all the good deals are. They are the ones setting appointments and viewing hundreds of homes every month. In many cases, a Buyer's Agent has already seen a home that you may be interested in, and can share with you many details before you even go inside!

4. Access to ALL Available Properties- A Buyers Agent can show you ANY property that is available - regardless of the sign in the yard. They have access to every home that is for sale, the minute it becomes available, and have no loyalty to one listing agent or company over another. Also, in many cases they can effectively represent their buyer clients in the purchase of a home from an unrepresented seller (FSBO). A Professional Buyers Agent will leave no stone unturned when finding the perfect home for you, their Buyer Client.

5. Effective Negotiating Skills and Contract Knowledge - A Buyers' Agent is an effective negotiator, as one main part of their job is to write solid offers that get you, their Buyer Client in the best possible situation. They negotiate and write contracts for a living and know all the tips and tricks to use and avoid when dealing with different listing agents and sellers. A Buyer's Agent thoroughly understands all the details of a Buy-Sell Contract, and is able to explain and walk through the entire contract, disclosures and any counter offers to you, their Buyer Client, in a way that actually makes sense. They will maintain the contract and all necessary dates, making sure that it all works out in YOUR BEST INTEREST. Furthermore, a Buyer's Agent can help you find competent lenders, home inspectors, landscapers and anyone else that you, a future homeowner, may need, once you find a home that you want to buy.

BONUS BENEFIT ... In most cases, representation by a professional Buyers' Agent will cost you nothing - It's FREE! The compensation that a Buyer's Agent receives is built into the selling costs paid by the Seller at the time of closing. Wow!

(Now, Buyers' Agent Representation is not readily available in all states. But it IS readily available in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. In fact, I strongly recommend it to anyone considering looking to buy a home.)