If you are seriously looking for a new home, you need a Buyer’s agent.  A Buyer’s agent will give you access to homes that have just come on the market and look out for your best interest as your guide during the home buying process.

I get the same call all the time from people looking on line who have seen a listing of mine, “I love this house, is it still on the market?”. Nope- you missed out because it went under contract two days ago.  If you were working with a REALTOR, you might have had a chance to take a look before it was gone. Sorry!

If you are seriously looking to buy, don’t rely on the internet to find a home, you need to find a REALTOR to work with you as a Buyer’s agent.  The internet is lagging when it comes to market updates.  In this fast-paced housing market this is NOT the smartest way to shop for a home.  A Buyer’s agent has the means to get you the most updated information in real time.

We are in a seller’s market, which means there are not enough homes on the market to meet buyer’s demands.  So, when the “good ones” come on the market, they go under contract just as quickly as they came on. If you are relying on the internet to find a home, you will be out of luck!  With a Buyer’s agent you will have someone working for you that does this for a living. They know as soon as a property is available, and the knowledge of homes getting ready to come on the market that aren’t listed yet.

The name on the yard sign or online representing the listing, is the REALTOR working as the Listing agent.  The Listing agent works for the seller. Feel free to call and ask them questions, but do not give them your life history full of personal and confidential information.  Trust me, this happens- I’ve had to literally get people to stop talking so they didn’t tell me anymore…earmuffs!!  Do not give the Listing agent any information you would not want them to know if you end up making an offer.

A Buyer’s agent is your guide to your home search and buying process whose one job is to help you get a good house, for a good price, for terms that are in your best interest.  Little known fact…a Buyer’s agent does not cost you anything! In most cases the seller is the one who compensates the commission of the Buyer’s agent.  So, go out there and interview REALTORS, find an agent who knows the area where you are looking to buy and most importantly someone you get along with.  You will be working with them very closely and they will be a part of one of the biggest and most expensive purchases you will every make!

Mary Powell Young DeLille REALTOR, Broker, GRI

THE NORTH CAROLINA REAL ESTATE COMMISSION DEFINES A BUYER’S AGENT AS:

Duties to Buyer: If the real estate firm and its agents represent you, they must -promote your best interests -be loyal to you -follow your lawful instructions -provide you with all material facts that could influence your decisions -use reasonable skill, care and diligence, and -account for all monies they handle for you. Once you have agreed (either orally or in writing) for the firm and its agents to be your buyer’s agent, they many not give any confidential information about you to sellers or their agents without your permission so long as they represent you. But until you make this agreement with your buyer’s agent, you should avoid telling the agent anything you would not want a seller to know….….READ MORE FROM “WORKING WITH REAL ESTATE AGENTS”