First time buyer, looking in small, well-defined area at very lowest price range of greater area. Have done extensive research & cultivated grapevine/leads personally walking & talking in neighborhood. Know of several homes not listed & owners considering FSBO. Want to work with buyer's agent, but have concerns, 1) how does buyer at low end of area price range ensure good service from agent in an affluent area? 2) will agents work with FSBOs that I find?, and 3) how can I protect my hard-earned on-the-ground research & leads, especially in an affluent town as a "low-pricer", one example, I met owner at local community function who inherited her house & wants to relocate within the next year /two would be willing to talk selling for 400K, & work out move dates to mutual convenience. If 400K is the very highest I can do, when I tell my agent, how do I keep agent from telling "richer" clients who can afford to offer 450K (and outbid me) on my own "found" (unlisted) lead?
A realtor works under of code of ethics and actually cares about each client they service. The fact that you consider yourself a low-end client doesn't matter to a Realtor. Even a "low-ender" deserves good service and certainly has friends and business affiliations who he/she can recommend us too. No commission is worth our reputation!
To answer your questions 1) I think I answered above but will add that if you are not satisfied with the service you are receiving, get a new agent. 2) all agents will work with FSBOs and they can represent you in the same capacity as a buyer's agent and as a first time home buyer I would highly recommend that you be represented. 3) If an agent represents you, the buyer, he/she cannot get her "richer" clients to bid against you. It's not ethical and reasonably why would he/she do it anyway, if they can sell another home to that buyer? We are not at a shortage of homes to sell. On the flip side be cautious if you are dealing with the seller's agent on a home. Although I truly believe most agents will always work in good faith, you as a buyer are not protected in the same manner. Like in your example above, if you are working with a seller's agent it is that agent's job to get the highest possible price for their client and pitting another buyer against you is a sure way of getting the seller a higher price for her home.
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