This is the first in a 2-part series on buyer presentations:

1. Why you should have one

2. What you should expect from a presentation

If you are a first time home buyer, you need to learn a lot about the process of buying a home. And you likely have a zillion questions to be answered. Plus, as a first step, you need to decide who you want to work with in the purchase process. There are lots of agents out there, some good, some not.

How do you choose?

I've talked before about choosing a REALTOR (some articles have to do with relocation, but the issues are similar) -

what you should look for

the need for a Buyer Agent

how to find one

among other issues

Now it's time to get into the nitty gritty and talk about the value of the buyer presentation for you, the consumer.

The question is...Why have one?

If you were selling your home, you would have a signed contract to list the property. And there would be a defined relationship with an agent who has fiduciary responsibility to look out for your interests as the seller. As a consumer buying your first home, doesn't it make sense to have a similar type of relationship with the agent you ask to help you? And even if you are experienced at buying, with the competition in the market and all the legal issues to consider, don't you want to have someone represent YOUR interests in the transaction?

DO NOT skip having a buyer presentation. You will benefit from it. It's fine to meet an agent at an open house and spend some time talking, or hunt one down on-line. But I would not recommend jumping into the buying process without doing your homework, and being sure that the agent you hire is one you are really comfortable with, and feel will represent YOU in the purchase. DON'T expect to just jump in the car and start touring homes without some work upfront. It will be a waste of time and you will not do a good of buying. And personally, as an agent, I don't feel comfortable working with someone who takes that approach to buying a home. It's just too darn important to be so lackadaisical about it.

Know that a good agent, who takes the role of representation seriously, will want to spend the time to get to know you too, answer your questions, qualify you, and make sure everyone is comfortable working together before starting the process. If they don't want to do this, well, in my not-so-humble opinion, you have the wrong person. Next!

A Buyer Presentation is also a way you can learn about the purchase process AND the agent you are considering hiring. Think of it as a job interview - a big part of the presentation is for you to learn more about the agent and decide "do I want this person to help me, or not?" As the CEO of your company, FIRST TIME BUYER, INC,. you have the most critical hiring decision to make. Keep in mind the agent (your potential employee) will be doing the same thing. You are going to be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, or more. Don't you want to be sure that you interview and hire the best possible talent? I know I do, and I want any buyer I work with to go through this process with me first.

One last caveat. A number of agents are now blogging, and this can be another great way to get to know more about someone that interests you, before you even meet them. I admit I am a bit prejudiced about the incredible value of blogs for the consumer - if a REALTOR does not recognize the value of blogging for consumers in this market, and is not yet writing a blog, well, there may be other agents who are better qualified and technologically savvy. You decide. Remember, you are the CEO.

Part 2 will focus on the presentation itself and the things you should inquire about, whether you are a first time home buyer or not.  Need more information about being a first time buyer? Check out First Time Buyer Central.