Using a Realtor

Realtors in the Home Buying Process

by George Bogosian

Loyalty to the Realtor you have decided to work with will work to your benefit. When you find a broker you feel you can work with, stick with that broker! Nothing takes the energy out of a broker more than finding you are also working with other brokers. This search is a collaborative effort with you and your Realtor, the loyalty and trust has to work both ways. Show commitment and receive commitment, it’s the only way! Most brokers want you to be an active buyer; it also motivates the broker to hear from you about a house you may have seen for sale and you would like information on. If at some point you feel that the broker is not performing the job you want, tell them about what you expect and if it doesn't occur find another broker who will do the job you desire. Remember that you deserve the best help available with this search, second best won’t do here!

Using a Buyer-Broker is a good option.

Unlike the conventional Realtor, who is really working on behalf of the seller, the buyer-broker is working for you, the buyer. This option is changing the face of the conventional Realtor brokerage business. Usually you will have a contract with this buyer-broker and you will be working exclusively with them. Read the fine print here because this contract will bind you to the agent for a specific about of time whether or not they are providing the service you want, need and deserve. You may be bound by contract to pay a commission even if you find a house on your own or through another broker. But this arrangement allows you to establish a relationship with one buyer-broker and this individual is working for you. Remember that a conventional Broker has to do a balancing act between you and their client, the seller.

Many conventional Brokers do a good job with client balancing…. but their loyalties, by contract, as mentioned before, are with the seller.

Unlike a conventional Broker a Buyer-Broker can negotiate for you. The possible savings here are not to be overlooked! This savings could easily cover the commission that will be paid to the Buyer-Broker. That commission is usually around 3%. The listing broker or co-broker receives about 2%-4%. These commissions again, come from the proceeds of the sale of the house. The commission paid here to the Broker may be in addition to the sale price and not part of the proceeds of the sale. Be sure of your financial arrangements with either broker by asking about the commission paid to them. Ask about and check on the details of the contract. Remember, the deals are made by the brokers, and regardless of who they work for, the deals that don’t satisfy all parties, just don’t happen!!

Your finances and the information you give the buyer-broker is held in confidence and not passed onto the seller. Your buyer-broker should give you a comparative market analysis on a home you're interested in buying. They can provide you with assessments of similar housing in the area once you've found a house you're interested in buying. Depending on the broker and the market conditions you might negotiate a lower commission charge with your agent.

The future will be bright for the Buyer-Broker because of his or her commitment to the buyer. This is definitely an avenue to consider. There are always new forms of agent-buyer arrangements and relationships coming into view. The person you choose to work with is more important than the label they are wearing. Mistrust can cost too much, so find the right Realtor, remember you deserve nothing less. It’s an important aspect of the journey. Happy hunting and enjoy the search!

Realtors’ summary:

1. Work with a Realtor you feel comfortable with.

2. The Realtor works for the seller but must have fair dealing with you.

3. A buyer-broker is an option to consider because they work for you.

4. Shop, shop, shop!

5. Use the lists you created.

6. Be patient, your house is also looking for you!