After lurking on many sites, including this one, reading the witty, informative and talented blogs that appear and sitting in awe of the skill of these writers, I have finally been talked into starting my own blog.
I wrestled with what the subject should be of my first blog for a couple of weeks, then one conversation with my wife popped the idea light above my head on. While we were talking about real estate one evening (while watching HGTV), the conversation turned to buyer’s agents and she asked me the question many ask, “how much does a buyer’s agent usually charge a buyer?” I thought about it a bit and told her a buyer’s agent does much more than just drive someone around and show houses, they also:
· Inform you about every step of the buying process, explaining each in detail so you know what to expect.
· Guide you in finding a home that you not only want, but can afford.
· Guide you through the mortgage process, helping you with whoever you choose to get your mortgage through and following up often to make sure things are getting done.
· Have access to the MLS system and listings for every home on the market. Giving you the ability to see what is out there and narrow down your search to find that perfect house for you.
· Are expert negotiators and will many, many times, get you a better deal on that house than if you were to try to negotiate on your own.
· Prepares and presents your offer to the seller and the seller’s agent, not to mention all counter offers.
· Makes sure all paperwork is complete and gotten in on time so there is no delays.
· Holds your hand through the entire process and makes sure you do not sign anything you do not understand. Answers all of your questions and also acts as a sounding board for you as well as someone to shares your joys and frustrations.
· Many other things depending on the transaction, each is unique in their own way.
Want to know the best part of this? A great majority of the time, the buyer’s agent does all of this for the buyer and it costs the buyer nothing! Most of the time, the buyer’s agent’s commission comes from the contract that the seller signed with their representing agent and from the proceeds from the sale of the house.
Knowing this, and knowing what they do, why would a buyer want to make a go out of figuring out the ever-changing laws, paperwork and subtleties of a transaction without having a buyer’s agent representing them and only them, acting in only their best interest?
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