Deciding upon a broker to represent you is as important when you buy a home as when you sell one. Your agent is your liaison to a whole networking system. While a Seller wants someone who will properly expose his/her property to the broker network, a Buyer wants to make sure that he/she is benefiting from a comprehensive exposure to that same network and information source.
All agents have access to the same information. Your choice of an agent to represent you in your purchase does not affect which properties you can see, but rather the level of service, commitment and professionalism that he/she will devote to you in your search and purchase process. Be selective and work with someone you want to have as your ally.
You and your agent should have a mutual commitment to each other. The agent’s fiduciary duty of utmost care, integrity, honesty and loyalty in their dealings with the client should command a similar sense of loyalty and commitment from you, the Buyer. If it doesn’t and if your agent is not doing the job you want, let him/her know it, even if it means ceasing your working relationship. Don’t work with more than one agent unless all parties are aware of the situation. Your agent does not get paid until your escrow closes on your purchase; if that seems like it is in the distant future, your loyalty will ensure your agent’s continued diligence in keeping your best interests in mind. If you call a broker or walk into an open house without identifying your agent’s representation and then decide that the property is perfect, you could eliminate the possibility of your agent participating in the transaction and getting paid for the work they have already done.
Communicate with your agent and make sure he/she communicates with you. The agent has to let you know about new developments in the marketplace and you have to let your agent know of any changes in your criteria, what you like and don’t like. The more open the communication, the greater the probability of finding what you want in a timely fashion.
Having chosen your ally and established a mutual understanding of the goal and how you want to get there, you’re ready to jump into your search.
Have Fun!