The main thing to remember about the name you see on the sign at a property for sale is that that person - their Real Estate agent - already has a written agreement with the seller to represent them and their best interests. In other words, their fiduciary duty and loyalty lie with the owner of the property for sale.
It almost always makes NO difference in the price of the home - or the commission a seller pays - if the buyer enlists their own agent to show them the home. In fact, calling the name on the sign usually means being served as a customer of the owner's agent. This could make a big difference to the buyer and their bottom line if they proceed without an agent of their own to look out for them.
If you are under the popular misconception that the price will be higher if you are represented by an agent of your own, you are more than likely mistaken!
Most sellers have already agreed on a set rate to be paid to the brokerage of the agent who has listed their home. Generally, but not always, this agreement includes a provision for payment to be made to agents who bring and represent the buyer of the home.
Next time you see a sign in the yard of a house you'd like to view - think twice about calling the name on the sign and instead, consider calling a trusted agent of your own. This way you know that the loyalties of the person you are working with lie with you.
*This information is intended only to provide further clarification of real estate issues in Laramie, Wyoming. I am not an attorney. This article is not endorsed, approved or affiliated with Century 21 Real Estate Center, Inc. Any consumer with questions about the real estate process should always consult an attorney of their own.
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