A buyer who goes directly to the listing agent and allows that agent to “manage” both sides of the transaction is dealing with an agent who has conflicting responsibilities, also known as being a “dual agent”. A listing agent’s job is to negotiate in the best interest of their client, the seller. If they also take on the buyer, whose interests are they really looking out for – the seller? The buyer? – See the problem and the issues it can create? Those who market themselves as a “buyer’s agent” are only working in the best interests of their client, the buyer! This is why you should make sure you are only dealing with a “buyer’s agent”. The buyer’s agent commission is paid by the seller, with rare exceptions. They either get paid directly by the seller or set up the transaction so that the seller provides a “credit” to the buyer for how much the real estate commission is — then the buyer pays the commission.
MORE ACCESS TO THE REAL ESTATE MARKET
A real estate agent will have better access to the market, and a special knowledge of local conditions. The agent is a full-time liaison between sellers and buyers. An agent will have ready access to other properties listed by other agents. Buyers’ and sellers’ agents know how to put a real estate deal together. A real estate agent will track down homes that meet your criteria, contact sellers’ agents, and secure appointments for viewing the homes. On their own, buyers have a more difficult time with these things. This is even more so the case when a buyer is moving due to relocation or employment opportunity and engages a “buyer’s agent” to handle matters
NEGOTIATING IS HARDER ON YOUR OWN
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