Christina Osborne - COMPLETE GUIDE TO BUYING A HOME

commission via a Listing Agreement between the Listing Broker and seller. The commissions were either paid directly by the Listing agent's broker or paid at closing via the title company. When a seller lists their home, they agree with the listing agent on the commission that will be paid and to whom. However, evolving regulations mean that buyers now directly pay their agents if the seller is not offering a commission split, and the traditional practice of commission splits may evolve alongside other compensation structures. The intricacies of changing regulations are just one of the many reasons buyers can benefit from having an agent dedicated to their interests alone.

MORE ACCESS TO THE REAL ES O THE REAL ESTATE MARKE TE MARKET

A real estate agent will have better access to the market and a unique 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 different agents. Buyers’ and sellers’ agents know how to negotiate a real estate deal. 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 opportunities and does not engage a buyer’s agent to handle matters.

NEGOTIATING IS HARDER ON YOUR OWN

A real estate agent will keep the transaction “at arm’s length” so personalities and emotions do not become involved. Price negotiations require special skill and an understanding of the psychology of offering and counteroffering.

Agents keep the transaction dispassionate and rational. For

4

Powered by