Top 5 Advantages of Using a Buyer’s Agent When Buying a Home

Whether you’re in the market to purchase your dream vacation property or a place to call home forever, buying a house is a very exciting adventure. It can also be overwhelming. There are many, many steps from the first time you lay eyes on your dream property to the day you sign and seal your deal. Why go through the process alone? The good news is you don’t have to! There are real estate professionals who work for the buyer only, keeping their needs and best interests in mind. These professionals are called buyer’s agents and here are the top five reasons you should work with one.

Buying a home with a buyers agent

#1- It’s Free to Hire a Buyer’s Agent

One of the most obvious reasons to hire a buyer’s agent when buying a home is that it’s free! You do not have to pay a dime to hire a buyer’s agent. In most real estate transactions, the seller pays the commission for both the seller’s and buyer’s agents. Yippee! Personal representation with zero investment? You would be silly not to hire a buyer’s agent to work on your behalf!

#2- A Buyer’s Agent Understands the Local Real Estate Market

Every real estate market is different. Markets can differ from city to city and even from neighborhood to neighborhood. A knowledgeable buyer’s agent understands local market trends! Working with this type of agent can go along way when the time comes to make an offer on your little piece of heaven. When hiring a buyer’s agent, it is highly suggested that you make sure that the agent has experience selling homes in your particular area of interest. Not doing so can cost you thousands of dollars should you make an offer on a home that is not in line with local home values.

#3- A Buyer’s Agent Knows What to Look for When Selecting a Home

Whether you are purchasing your first home or your fifth home, typically you don’t actually look at homes on a daily basis. An effective buyer’s agent is physically looking at tons of homes day in and day out. They may be able to spot potential problems within a home. Structural, pest/insect, roofing, and leak issues are just a few of the issues that an experienced buyer’s agent can spot and in turn recommend a professional to have the issue evaluated. Another important reason you should work with a buyer’s agent!

#4- A Buyer’s Agent Will Explain the Entire Buying Process

There are many intricate steps involved between getting a mortgage and signing your closing documents the day of closing. This process is much more complicated than one may think. That is why it is extremely important to find a buyer’s agent who is willing to take the time to sit down with you and explain the home buying process from start to finish. Buyers should have an understanding of how the process works prior to viewing any homes. Once your buyer’s agent knows your budget, they can easily schedule showings within your price range. They can also help explain the details of writing an offer and the importance of hiring a home inspector. Your buyer’s agent will be spending a lot of time with you and will represent you in one of the largest purchases you will ever make!

#5- A Buyer’s Agent Will Represent YOU and Your Best Interests

A seller’s agent is hired by the seller to list their home, promote their best interests, and protect their confidences. So why not have someone to do the exact same things for you? When you work with a buyer’s agent you get the experience, knowledge, and expertise from an agent who is trained in finding you the perfect home! They will have your very best interests in mind from beginning to end. Remember, they work for YOU, not the seller. In most states, when you choose to hire a buyer’s agent, you will sign a document called an Exclusive Buyer Brokerage Agreement which essentially lays out the duties and responsibilities between the agent and the buyer and vice versa.

Now that you know more about buyer’s agents, you are probably feeling much more confident about jumping into the home buying process. After all, there is no replacement for having someone who is working exclusively for you and has your best interests at heart. And the mere fact that all of this top-notch service comes many times free of charge? Well that’s just icing on the cake! Contact one of our Valdosta Realtors today!

Brooke Peterman
BUYER’S AGENT – REALTOR®