This is a subject that get’s little or no attention from buyers, but is probably the most important aspect of buyer’s representation.

 

First you should understand that buyer’s representation is relatively new. Before the 1990’s every agent worked for the seller and buyers were left to fend for themselves. Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware) was the law of the land. You now have the right to be represented.

 

With that in mind, look at the way most people look for a home. They look on line at houses (or if they are old fashioned they look at the paper) and then call the number or email the person who’s information appears on the listing. That’s the sellers agent, the one you listed the house. Do you think they will have your best interest at heart or their sellers, or maybe even (dare I say) themselves. Is this the best house for you, or the one they want to sell?

 

What you should have is a buyer’s agent who is looking out for your needs. So when you start getting serious about buying a house, pick a Realtor© at the same time you are picking houses. A good place to start is to use a Realtor© who is an ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative.) They have a level of training in buyer’s representation that can be valuable. To get the accreditation the agent must prove that they have a certain number of buyer transactions. You can search for an agent by going to the ABR site.

 

Next interview him/her. See if you get along. See if you like their approach and level of experience. My style is much more consultative than sales oriented while others have different approaches. Choose the agent you like, since you will be working together for some time.

 

A good buyer’s agent will have you sign an Exclusive Buyer’s Agreement. This protects both of you and lays out what you should expect them to do and how they will get paid. Since that is usually through the commission the seller offers, usually buyers representation costs you nothing, so why would you let someone else do the work?

 

Finally, work with the agent not against him/her. By that I mean send everything you see to your agent. If you see a nice place that is for sale by owner for instance, jot down the number and give it to your agent. Usually home owners will cooperate with an agent. When you search on-line there is usually a button that lets you send the listing via email. Send the listing to your agent, that way he/she can get to see what kind of house you like, and in addition keep track of what you have seen.

 

If worked right a Realtor© can be a big asset in helping you find just the right place to live. Happy hunting!

 

If you need assistance looking for homes in Hillsborough, Montgomery, Franklin, Princeton, Somerset or Mercer County or anywhere else in Central New Jersey, I hope you will consider interviewing me.