The answer is not always 'Yes'. We will help you identify some circumstances where you may not require the services of a real estate professional. We will present information and facts and you can be the judge of whether you require the services of a real estate professional.
If you decide you want to use the services of a real estate professional, AIM can help. We specialize in matching home sellers and home buyers with the "best Internet savvy" real estate professionals. AIM affiliate agents are a network of America's leading real estate professionals who are here to help home buyers and home sellers with their real estate needs.
QUESTIONS BUYERS SHOULD ASK
If you are confused about whom the agent represents, you can identify his/her role by asking a few simple questions:
- If you show me a property I like, will you help me determine what it is worth?
- When I make an offer, will you negotiate in my favor? If not, why not?
- If your firm represents the seller, tell me what specific services you can provide to me as a buyer?
- If your firm represents me and the seller on the same transaction, would you help me in the negotiations?
- As a buyer, decide what type of services you need from an agent. In most states, the specific services are spelled out in an agreement. If you decide that you need primarily information, you may find it acceptable to work with any type of agent but be careful in not giving out information you want to keep confidential.
Click here for a checklist to help you determine if you need a Real Estate Buyer's Agent
Question: Is there downside of using a real estate professional to help you locate and purchase your next home?
There is no real downside. Typically, a buyer agent's real estate commission is paid by splitting the selling real estate agent's commission, which was negotiated with the seller at the time the home was listed for sale. If there is no buyer's agent, then you are working directly with the seller's agent and not getting the representation you deserve. In addition, the seller's real estate agent usually keeps the entire real estate commission. A real estate professional in most cases is also in a better position to negotiate a lower sales price than than a home buyer, because they have access to "current" comparative home sales information.
Without a buyer's real estate agent the best you can expect is the selling real estate agent represents neither party, but most likely they represent only the seller. Also, a real estate professional who has a "buyer agency" contract with a home buyer "exclusively" represents the buyer's best interests.
Fact: When using a real estate professional to assist a home buyer locate and purchase a home, the average search time is 8 weeks and they view 10 homes. For home buyers not using a real estate professional the average search time is 14 weeks and they view 18 homes.
Fact: 49% of all home buyers start looking for a home before they put their home on the market.
Fact: 87% of all homes are sold by a real estate professional
Fact:: 13% of all homes are sold by owner
Fact: Even when a mortgage company says a buyer is approved it does not guarantee that the mortgage company will fund the buyer's mortgage for the purchase of your home
Fact: Real state professionals have errors and errors of omission insurance
If you have decided that you need the services of a real estate professional to help you locate and purchase your next home, let AIM help you. Do you know who the "very best" real estate professionals are in your area? Do you know how to find them? Will they work with you without a referral? We specialize in the process of identifying and selecting the best real estate professionals. Let our expertise and free referral service help you.