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Health & Fitness

Buyers: Use Your Buyers Agent - They're on Your Side

Opinion on the importance of using a buyers agent to buy a home.

I have read a couple of blog posts recently about buyers who are working with an agent yet they call the listing agents directly for showings and bypass their own agent. Some of the commentary indicates that the buyers agent has not properly educated his or her client. That may be the case sometimes. However, many times the agent has educated his or her client yet the buyers still will do certain things on their own. Either way, I thought it was worth reinforcing the theme that buyers should work with one agent - their own buyers agent.

Buyers, if you have gone to the trouble of finding a buyers agent to work with,  either an like myself or a traditional agent who is working as your buyers agent, then you should use that agent to get answers to your questions, show you houses, and otherwise help you with all aspects of your home purchase. Why? They are on your side. A buyers agent is there to represent only you, the buyer (unless they have disclosed to you that they are a dual agent - a completely different topic).

Whatever you say to your buyers agent will remain confidential and will not be disclosed to the other side. If you use the listing agent to show you a house or otherwise communicate with them on your own, anything you say must be disclosed to their client, the seller, and be a point of leverage in your negotiations. Something as innocuous as mentioning a job transfer, impending lease expiration or how much you love the kitchen can work to your disadvantage.

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You will not get a better deal, a quicker showing or otherwise get any advantage by contacting the listing agent directly. In fact, you will likely put yourself at a disadvantage. To top it off, it is not fair to the listing agent.

If your buyers agent is not responsive or not able to show you properties at a convenient time, then it is time to have a conversation with your agent and if things do not improve, consider ending that relationship and finding yourself another buyers agent. Just do your first agent the courtesy of letting him or her know that the relationship is not working and you are moving on. If you have signed a contract with your buyers agent, check the terms of that agreement to determine how best to move forward.

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If you are a buyer looking to buy a home in Canton, Milton or a surrounding
community, contact an Exclusive Buyers Agent who will represent your interests first and foremost.

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