Usually, the first person you talk to about buying a home is a real estate agent or broker. Most traditional real estate brokers do provide helpful advice.
But in many cases, the traditional agent wants to show you only their company's listings – in order to generate twice the commission income for their company. This can cause a conflict of interest because of the difficulties in representing the best interests for both the buyer and the seller at the same time.
So try working with an Exclusive Buyer's Agent – who is a licensed real estate agent or broker knowledgeable in all aspects of the real estate buying process. An Exclusive Buyer's Agent looks out for your interest (and yours alone) as a real estate buyer.
Having someone look after your interests as the home buyer is a smart move!
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent should have a track record of providing results in an ethical and professional manner, and should possess the following:
* industry certification and accreditation
* understanding financing and mortgages
* expertise with real estate contracts
* strong negotiation skills
* knowledge of the geographic areas in which you want to live
* references from satisfied clients |