Mutual Trust

   If you engage a real estate agent to represent you, then you must have full faith and confidence in their ability and knowledge.  Choose one that you feel comfortable with, and  expect their absolute loyalty and devotion to you and your real estate needs. In turn, your agent should be able to expect that you will be loyal too, and that when you choose to purchase a property, that you will do it through your agent.

   Reciprocal commitment is a major part of a successful real estate search. If you and your agent have a good working relationship, and if you are committed to each other, then your agent will direct 100 percent of his or her energy and effort into finding the right property for you. Your agent will keep in regular contact with you, and will search new listings as they are offered to try to find the right property for you and show it to you before other prospective Buyers are able to see it. This is especially important in a hot market. In a slower market, your committed agent's ability and willingness to hammer out the best possible deal for you, and negotiate favorable price and terms with the Seller on your behalf is of great value.

A  Full - House

   Expect your agent to leave no stone unturned in finding your property, and once found, to aggressively represent your interests throughout the entire transaction.   As Buyer agents, they are much more aggressive and pro-active in researching, bargaining and representing Buyers. Agents can provide price research on comparable properties, check more fully into neighborhoods, schools, employment, property sales history, etc. Agents look at the property with the critical and experienced eye, point out defects, recommend inspections, suggest offering price and terms, and take care of the myriad details involved in increasingly complex real estate transactions on behalf of the Buyers.

   A good real estate agent will assist Buyers with "drive-bys" to eliminate properties from consideration and then call the listing agents on promising properties.  Your agent will assist you  buying a property from a real estate agent who is loyal to the Seller, and whose primary job is to sell the property at the highest market value.

Decisions . . . Decisions  ???

   Some people are hesitant to commit to an agent. Many think they can do a better job at finding their property without an agent. This may be fine for some, but is not the best course for those who want to have a larger option of properties made available and the assistance of local real estate knowledge and representation throughout one of the major decisions of their lifetimes.

  A good realtor will devote their efforts to your personal interests.  And in all honesty, should not devote much effort to a Buyer who is not serious nor loyal.  A realty agent can only assist in so many closings in their lifetime.  In so few other businesses is trust, loyalty, personal effort and mutual appreciation such an intricate part.

Make Your Agent Earn His $$$

   The proper way to use an agent is to make them earn their money. It's fine to search ads and do drive-bys,  If you see a "For Sale by Owner,"  and have an agent, call him.  He wants you to buy the right property and much as you do.  He might even get a commission for bringing in a Buyer which can be used as leverage during negotiation.  Any paid commission is paid by the rules set during the Seller/Realtor sales agreement. If he thinks he has a shot at it, he'll dedicate his efforts to get it for you; somebody is going to get it and seldom is it theHome Buyer.

   Have your agent show you enough properties so that he is entirely familiar with your needs and tastes.  When they see the right property, let him know and he'll be able to get you all the way through to closing.  A Buyer agent will can handle no more than five serious Buyers at a time.  If he doesn't have time for you, find one who does!