With limited inventory and new listings moving fast, it’s more important than ever to have a good agent on your side when buying a home. But what exactly is the benefit of having agent representation as a buyer? And how do you go about finding a good agent? Read on to find out what a good buyer’s agent will do - and how you can make sure you have the right person representing you.
Knowledge
In this competitive market you need a buyer’s agent who knows the area and the current market. They will be able to give you advice about your target towns, such as what homes are selling for in that area, which areas of town have the style of property you are looking for, important town topics which may affect home values, and schools and facilities available in the area. This is especially important if you find yourself in a multiple-offer situation - your agent will have an understanding of the current selling prices and be able to advise you on a competitive offer.
Network
When inventory is tight it is vital that your agent is fully invested in real estate and has the network to help with your search. A good agent will have strong relationships with other agents in the area and be able to work collaboratively to find out about upcoming listings to ensure you are amongst the first in the door. They will have connections with professionals such as proactive mortgage brokers, contractors, home inspectors and service providers, whose expertise can help you along the process from viewing to offer and closing.
Negotiation
An experienced buyer’s agent will prove invaluable when you enter into negotiations on a home. A good buyer broker will do a comparative market analysis before you write up your offer and will be able to advise you how to structure your offer, what to be prepared for, and how to improve your chances of a successful bid. The relationships they have with other agents will also enable them to handle any difficult conversations with professionalism and grace, increasing your chances of reaching an agreement which suits both parties.
So how do you find the right buyer’s agent for you? Here's our top tips to figure out who you want to work with.
- Recommendations. If you need help finding an agent, asking friends or family for a personal recommendation is a good place to start. You can also check out testimonials to see what other people have to say about Barrett Sotheby’s International Realty and our agents.
- Personality match. Some common ground or shared interests can also help your agent understand your wants and needs better - read their bio to find out if your personalities will match. A good sense of humor can also help in a sometimes stressful situation!
- Communication. You may be working with this person for a while, so making sure your communication styles are in sync is a good idea - for example, do you prefer calls or texts?
- Interview. Finally, don’t be afraid to call and talk to some of the agents on your shortlist and see if you feel comfortable with them - once you decide to work with someone you'll likely be asked to sign an agreement to work exclusively with them, so make sure you are happy with the person before you commit.
Buying a home is one of the most important purchases you will ever make. A buyer’s agent will serve as your go-to resource for anything related to buying a home. Our agents are all experienced in listings and selling homes, and will bring the utmost professionalism, accountability and dedication to any transaction. Contact us today and we can connect you to the perfect partner for your home search.
