Does your Maryland Buyers Agent "Walk the Walk"?

Most people have heard the term "You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk". The essence of this phrase is that talk is cheap, but can you follow through with action?

If you are a Buyer planning on moving to Central Maryland from another State or you are ready to buy in this area and you don't have a Realtor, there is a good chance your first step will be to turn to the Internet to help you find your new home.

If you call the LISTING AGENT on a property you need to know that they are working EXCLUSIVELY for the SELLER. Many buyers believe that calling the listing agent will be more financially beneficial to them in the transaction. THAT IS NOT THE CASE. When a home is listed with a brokerage the listing agreement clearly states the total commission that the seller will pay.  This total is usually split between the two agents 50/50.  If there is no agent representing you as the buyer, the seller is still obligated to pay the entire commission per the agreement. The listing agent can write the contract that you want to submit, but once again, they are WORKING FOR THE SELLER and will need to disclose to you that you DO NOT have representation. The listing agent gets paid more and you have no one to negotiate on your behalf 

Protect your interests and find your own Maryland BUYERS AGENT to represent you in your purchase.

But pick wisely.

 ~NEWSFLASH~ ALL REAL ESTATE AGENTS HAVE WEB SITES TELLING YOU (The Buyer) THAT WE ARE THE BEST BUYERS AGENT ON THE PLANET AND YOU MUST CALL US RIGHT AWAY SO WE CAN HELP YOU FIND YOUR DREAM HOME.

Reality- Talk is cheap! Real Estate 101 is telling everyone that you are the best thing since sliced bread, but the proof is in the numbers.

Important questions to ask your Maryland Buyers Agent:

1. How many years have you been in Real Estate?
2. Are you a Full Time Agent or is this your Part Time Job?
3. Are you part of a Team?
4. Do you work on Weekends?
5. What Geographic areas do you specialize in?
6. Do you have experience with Foreclosures/ REO properties?
7. Do you have experience with Short Sales?
8. HOW MANY HOMES HAVE YOU SOLD IN THE PAST YEAR?

9. How good are your negotiating skills?

NOW PROVE IT.

As a Central Maryland Realtor I predominantly work as a BUYERS AGENT with Buyers that are referrals from past clients, friends and business acquaintances. I show and sell homes in all of the Counties surrounding Baltimore City, namely Harford County, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Carroll County and of course Howard County. This year I have also sold homes in Frederick County and Prince Georges County.

Thanks to the Internet I have had the pleasure this year to be "INTERVIEWED" by potential Buyers for the position of their BUYERS AGENT. On each occasion I was told that they were either meeting with or had met with other agents before they made their decision. For all four Buyers, I won the job. (One of those Buyers has since referred me to two other parties that also settled this year on their new home)

At settlement, right before I said "SHOW ME THE MONEY", I asked them why they selected me over the others that they interviewed. For the most part it was because I had answered all of the questions above and I was well prepared at our first meeting. However one of the key factors in their decision process was because I shared with them my personal market share statistics.

 These are my 2010 sales as a local Maryland Buyers Agent. (Unfortunately there is a little too much information for complete clarity) This is all public record in our MLS and I am more than happy to share it with you. All but 2 of these sales this year required seller help. The average percentage of seller help that I negotiated for the 18 sales was 4.2%. The total dollar amount this year of seller help for my buyers was $242,820.

The average percentage of original list price to seller final net was 90.1%

From this report it shows that I do sell homes in all price ranges and all areas. Most of the transactions were FHA, but there was also VA financing, Conventional and 1 cash deal. 2 of these are REO properties. I am currently still waiting on bank approval for 3 buyers under contract on short sales.

It is not quite my strong point to talk about myself, but if I am interviewing for the job as your Buyers Agent in Maryland I want to put my best foot forward and show you that I can WALK THE WALK. 

If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Howard County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Harford County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Montgomery County or Prince Georges County. - or if you would like more information please give Ellie McIntire a call at 443-418-7668  or e-mail Ellie@LNF.com

Ellie McIntire

The McIntire Team

9171 Baltimore National Pike

Ellicott City. MD 21042

410. 461 1456

410. 750 8781 (FX)

443. 418 7668 (cell)

E-mail: Ellie@LNF.com

www.EllieMcIntire.com

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