Why Work with a Buyer’s Agent?
Many home buyers attempt to figure out the market themselves or contact listing agents. Unfortunately for them, that’s not the best move. Working with a buyer’s agent is much better for your peace of mind and for getting results. In this article, we’ll highlight five great reasons for why you should work with a buyer’s agent when searching for your next home.
And if you need assistance selling your house or are looking for a new home in Isle of Palms, SC, contact Jimmy Carroll Realty today.
What is a Buyer’s Agent?
First off, it’s important to understand the difference between a buyer’s agent and a seller’s agent. A good buyer’s agent will help you secure a property for a good price, whereas the seller’s agent is motivated to put the seller’s interests first—i.e., to sell the home for as much as possible.
As such, it’s extremely useful to have a buyer’s agent working with you during the sometimes-stressful process of finding a great home for you. Read on to learn about five great reasons to work with a buyer’s agent:
Protect Your Interests
As mentioned, a seller’s agent, or listing agent, will necessarily be loyal to the interests of their client, the seller. To counteract this, having a buyer’s agent will ensure that your own interests are protected. This is often tangibly reinforced by the Buyer’s Agency Agreement, a form that details the relationship you’ll have with your buyer’s agent.
Working with an experienced buyer’s agent will help keep you from potentially making a bad deal, as they are seasoned negotiators who are more likely to spot red flags than you are.
They’re Free
A common misconception is that hiring a buyer’s agent will cost you money. In residential real estate dealings, however, the seller must cover the full commission, which the listing agent and buyer’s agent then split.
You should be aware, however, that sellers will often attempt to cover this fee in the sell price of the home.
Accessing the MLS
Working with a buyer’s agent will get you access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is a site where listing agents can promote their listing to other real estate agents (like your buyer’s agent!).
While sites such as Zillow may be useful for browsing, their information is often inaccurate and/or outdated. By having a buyer’s agent and access to the MLS, you’ll have access to the information you need when you need it, which is crucial as homes are selling faster than ever after hitting the market.
Planning & Scheduling
If you’re like many people looking for a home, you’re busy. Maybe you have a lot of work responsibilities, maybe you have young kids. No matter your situation, it’s a huge relief to have a buyer’s agent tackle all the planning and scheduling behind seeing homes that you’re interested in.
Buyer’s agents typically help find homes that are well suited to you as well, whereas listing agents typically there only to let you in and try to sell you on the home.
Breaking Down the Buying Process
Buying a home is not something to take lightly! For many people, it’s the biggest purchase of their life. The last thing you want to do is get the details wrong or go about the process the wrong way. By having a buyer’s agent, you can rest assured you’ll be walked through the process from start to finish.
Some of the steps in the process that buyer’s agents should help with include:
- Researching the home
- Researching the area/neighborhood
- Advising you on what to offer
- Advising you on financing
- Breaking down real estate contracts
- Ensuring the transaction stays on schedule
Finding a Good Buyer’s Agent
To sum up, having a buyer’s agent is a great resource on your home hunting mission. There are many good reasons to hire one and very few reasons (if any) not to.
That said, you may be wondering how to go about finding a buyer’s agent that’s right for you. Here are a few quick tips! A good buyer’s agent should:
- Know the area well
- Have a successful track record and be active
- Be able to refer you to ethical mortgage brokers
It’s advisable to take the time to interview realtors. You should feel comfortable with them and get a strong sense of reliability and expertise, as this will be the person helping you go through with a very important decision!
Choose Jimmy Carroll Realty
We hope you’ve found this blog helpful when considering why to work with a buyer’s agent! If you’re ready to sell your current property or start looking for your dream home, reach out to Jimmy Carrol Realty today. We’ll be more than happy to introduce you to the best available properties in the Isle of Palms, SC area, which you’re certain to love. We look forward to helping you!
