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Seeing A House Through The Agent's Eyes

By Maria Morton

Real Estate Agent with Platinum Realty SP00229578 2007027091

August 10, 2011 07:39 AM

Although most home buyers have figured out that working with a Buyer's Agent is to their advantage, some are not quite sure exactly how seeing homes with an agent benefits them until they visit a few homes with their agent; then the light bulb clicks on.

swimming pool

Your agent sees many more homes than you do so is able to notice things about each house that may escape your attention. Things like drainage, attempts to cover up defects, and quality of workmanship, for example. Many home buyers are not aware of the difference between a regular water heater and a tankless water heater; your agent can explain the value to you.

The buyer sees a well-furnished, well-decorated, charming home. The agent sees an air conditioner older than Moses, cracks in the foundation, gutters that need to be cleaned and a roof nearing the end of its' lifespan.

Home buyers often lack the expertise to imagine future changes to a house. Your agent will also be able to help you envision what can be done to improve the home in the future and how much that work might cost. For instance, you may want to add a screened in porch or a swimming pool; your agent can help you figure out if the house you are considering would be able to accommodate this plan.

The buyer sees a garden shed, dog run and children's swing set all in the same space. The agent helps the buyer realize that all those objects cannot exist in the same space.

Sometimes, the home buyer is focused on the appearance of the home's decor and forgets to consider the condition of the house. Other times, the home buyer is too focused on unimportant details and needs the agent to help them evaluate the whole house in comparison to their other possible choices. The agent brings balance and perspective to your home finding experience.

The buyer is enamored with the bay window and window seat in the family room. The agent points out that the window is 50 years old while the window in the other house is the newer, energy efficient kind and the view is presently obscured by the window treatments which could be easily changed.

Most home buyers today understand the value of having an agent to negotiate and conduct the transaction for them but are unaware of the value of seeing a house through the agent's eyes. How often do I hear the words "Wow, I never thought about that! I'm so glad you're here with me!" ... The Second Showing ...

A good agent will help you evaluate each house so that you make sound decisions based on facts rather than fluff.

Realtor Maria Morton -816-560-3758- Leading Edge Society 2010...♪♫ ....Zillow rating

For Buyers: How To Buy A House in Kansas City ...

For Sellers: Choosing The Best Agent When Selling Your Home ...

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...*Information obtained from Heartland MLS is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. **This is an eclectic blog combining a little business with pleasure; please consult a licensed professional before making life altering decisions. Maria Morton, Realtor©, SRES is a Kansas City Real Estate Agent licensed in MO & KS and affiliated with Prudential Kansas City Realty 816.410.5499.o Maria Morton Copyright © 2011 *Seeing A House Through The Agent's Eyes*

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Kym Wright

Prudential California Realty - Olivenhain, CA

This is so true! When I am talking to perspective buyers that are going through ooen houses, I always encoursge them to work with a Realtor (does not have to be me). Open houses are great but not all homes are open to them and as you mentioned, it is difficult to look past the emotional!

Aug 11, 2011 05:02 AM

Roger Johnson

Hickory, NC

Perfect post of what we can do as buyer's agents, Maria

Aug 11, 2011 05:04 AM

Susie Schumm

AgentOwned Realty - Mount Pleasant, SC

Fabulous post!

Aug 11, 2011 05:15 AM

Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ

HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Great post Maria. I agree 100%. Oftentimes, I'll tell clients that if they need any assistance with the remodeling part after they close, I'll go along and help them to not over-spend and stay in line with the neighborhood. Hey - think I'll reblog your post and add my own comments to this affect!

Aug 11, 2011 06:11 AM

Dawn A Fabiszak

Private Label Realty ( Denver metro area, Colorado - Aurora, CO

The Dawn of a New Real Estate Experience!

Marie ~ great post! This is so true. Buyers and sellers see homes differently.....as does the government when they want their real estate taxes!

Aug 11, 2011 06:48 AM

Tonda & Steve Hoagland

Keller Williams Realty - Greenwood, IN

Real Estate - Greenwood Homes for Sale - Central I

Couldn't have said it better myself -- so I won't. Going to reblog. Thanks!

Aug 11, 2011 06:53 AM

Marte Cliff

Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID

Your real estate writer

A good buyer's agent will also know if the changes a buyer would like to make will be allowed. The HOA rules, setback requirements, etc. is information most buyers won't have, but an agent does.

Aug 11, 2011 09:37 AM

Deb Espinoza

Stage Presence Homes, San Diego Real Estate - Ramona, CA

GRI, Broker, SRS,ABR ePro, SFR, CNE

Good post Maria- the buyers can certainly be focused on the superficial and we need to be there to differentiate between the important, costly items VS a poor paint color. I have to agree that I have seen some buyers pass on a house because of paint color- a $50 fix and a days work!

Aug 11, 2011 12:21 PM

C. Lloyd McKenzie

Living Albuquerque - Albuquerque, NM

Living Albuquerque

Good Evening Maria:

Congratulation on being featured. Indeed, you have provided a great perspective. A buyer without a buyers' agent is shortsighted. Great post

Aug 11, 2011 03:15 PM

Maria Morton

Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO

Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

That's okay, Mike, there are still many agents who still see their role as that of a salesperson. My service philosophy is more akin to that of a professional consultant. Providing clients with the full scope of my knowledge and experience saves them time and money; they like that. Withholding information from them would be a great disservice to them.

Jan, that is another great way to help people!

Marta, I started to write about that aspect but decided to keep the post short. HOA's, building codes and city restrictions could be a whole post unto itself.

Debbie, you've got it!

Aug 11, 2011 05:44 PM

Maria Morton

Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO

Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Marshall, the home inspector delves much deeper into the house than I do. My examination of the homes is superficial. This only eliminates obvious problems. Inspectors, as you know, climb on roofs, test electrical outlets, and possess a vast array of knowledge about systems and components. I never fail to learn at least one new thing from an inspection. You guys rock!

Aug 11, 2011 05:51 PM

Gerard Gilbers

Higher Authority Markeing - Asheboro, NC

Your Marketing Master

Having someone that is not looking at the property from an emotional/attached view point definitely changes the picture.

Aug 11, 2011 06:40 PM

Mike Henderson

Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO

HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848

People really don't understand the value of little things like this. A great agent points out things that the client hasn't even thought of yet.

Aug 11, 2011 07:00 PM

Michael Singh,Broker

Singh Real Estate - Corral de Tierra, CA

Good agents do look at the property from a different angle

Aug 11, 2011 09:32 PM

Dagny Eason

Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT

Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Great post, Maria! Good agents not only will point out some things that may not be obvious to the buyer, but also know some of the set backs and codes for each town that the client may not know. For example, a recent buyer wanted to put in a pool after his purchase, and because I had already researched a pool for that town a short while before, I was able to advise him on where a pool could perhaps go. I knew some of the town set backs and regulations ....

Aug 11, 2011 11:15 PM

Cheryl Ritchie

RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD

Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

Maria, sometimes we are focused on resale as in how difficult or easy will this home be to market a few years down the road. This is really valuable information for the Buyers,

Aug 12, 2011 01:00 AM

Robin McGinn

RE/MAX Impact - Illinois Homes for Sale - Bloomingdale, IL

Blessed to work with the Best Clients in Illlinois

Right to the point, nicely done, Maria!

Aug 12, 2011 02:59 AM

Gene Riemenschneider

Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA

Turning Houses into Homes

So true. My eyes are often drawn to certain things when I go into a home that many buyers do not see. Also sometimes they see a problem and I can spot a quick solution.

Aug 12, 2011 05:27 AM

Patricia Beck

RE/MAX Properties, Inc., ABR, GRI, SRES - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs Realty

Well said, we really do look at things differently and although it may seem negative at times, we need to bring concerning factors to a buyer's attention.

Aug 16, 2011 10:18 AM

Jan Stevens

Coldwell Banker Pittsburgh - Cranberry Township, PA

Very well said! We are also in a position to look for issues that might affect resale, even if they are not important to this buyer. Unless they plan to stay forever, these are important to point out.

Dec 21, 2011 05:41 AM