You might feel the urge to pick the first real estate agent who appeals to or approaches you, but that’s something to avoid. As with any professional, there are degrees of professionalism, dedication, and experience. The “wow factor” will simply wear off. Meet with prospective buyer's agents in their offices and make sure to do your due diligence on the best qualified agent. A good buyer’s agent will want to know whether or not you are pre- approved and qualified for a loan with a lender, and what kind of loan and terms you are getting. They should spend adequate time to discover what you’re looking for in a house. They should listen as much as they talk and ask questions. Watch to see if the agent makes notes on all of the criteria, and everything you are sharing and saying to them. If the agent also doesn’t broach over the topic of agency relationships and obligations to you, ask for an explanation of his understanding of it. The law requires that all agents are to explain whether they will be working and representing you the buyer or the seller, or both as a dual agent whenever they have substantive contact with a customer or prospective client. If the agent doesn’t offer you a buyer’s agency agreement, that agent is representing the seller, not you. If the agent can’t explain agency concepts to you, then move on to the next agent. Be sure that the agent will be showing you all listings or properties on the market that meet your requirements, and not only listings that are handled in-house. Buyer’s agents have the legal duty to put the buyer’s needs ahead of their own. Even when an agent will be paid more for selling an in-house listing, they must inform you about other available, suitable listings and take you to see viable prospects.
A good buyer’s agent will provide a home-buying education. The
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