|
Q: Can any real estate agent be a buyer’s agent?
A: Yes, any licensed real estate agent in Pennsylvania may
be a buyer’s agent. However, before you hire an agent, check the experience
that the agent has in buyer agency transactions.
Q: The last time I bought a home I believe that my agent
really looked out for me. Why would anything be different today?
A: In the past, there was a lot of bending of the rules.
Agents believed that they had to take some risks in order to obtain referrals
and future business from you. In today’s litigious environment, however,
real estate agents are much more cautious. The only way to get an agent on
your side is to hire a buyer’s agent.
Q: If this is so good for the consumer, why aren’t all
real estate agencies offering buyer agency?
A: Companies across the country are changing their methods
of doing business to accommodate the increasing interest in buyer agency.
However, buyers need to be cautioned that many agents have not been properly
prepared and that buyers should check for the experience and industry
designations of the agent before signing a contract with the agent.
Q: Won’t I get a better deal if I buy directly from the
listing agent?
A: No. The listing agent owes his or her loyalty to the
seller and cannot legally help you get a better deal. Although some buyers
believe that the listing agent should be willing to take lower commission
because he or she does not have to share with another agent; they fail to
consider that the listing agent has twice the amount of work if there is not
another agent available to help, so the listing agent may still not be willing
to give up commission.
Q: What other differences can I expect from a buyer’s
agent?
A: When you hire a buyer’s agent, the entire home finding
process should change. Rather than trying to sell you on the good points of
the properties you are looking at, a buyer’s agent will help you discover
all the negatives of the home. A buyer’s agent should also prepare a
contract that offers the buyer better terms and conditions and that suspends
dates for settlement and moving that favor the buyer. A buyer’s agent will
also look more diligently for a home for you and should open up additional
home finding possibilities for you, such as for-sale-by-owner properties not
yet on the market. A buyer’s agent will protect your interests should any
problem arise during home inspections and will negotiate in your best
interests any time there is a need to reopen contract negotiations.
Q: Can my agent list my home and also be my buyer agent?
A: Some buyer agents work with both buyers and sellers and
those who do not list homes will usually refer you to an agent to help you
market your home. Be certain, however, that if the same agent lists your home
and helps you find another that you have signed a buyer agency agreement with
the agent and that you have checked to make sure that the agent is proficient
in handling both.
Read about your rights as a consumer in Act 112
http://www.parealtor.org/Legislate/bill.html
Email the information below…or fill out the form in the
next section
- The city and state where you want to buy or sell
- When you’d like to be in your new home
- Your price range
- Your ideal home
- Your name
- How we can reach you-day and evening phone, email address, and mail
Send email to darling@realtor.com Alternatively, fill out
following form.
|