Hire a Buyer's Agent
When Buying a Home

They Are Required to Represent Your Interests. If you were involved in courtroom litigation, would you hire your opponent’s lawyer to represent you as well? Obviously that would be a stupid decision because he or she wouldn’t be representing your best interests. You would be at a severe disadvantage. Yet when buying a home many homebuyers make a similar mistake by retaining the seller’s real estate agent.

Always hire a Buyer’s Agent whose responsibilities are defined by Arizona state law and if they are a Realtor, are bound by the Realtors® Code of Ethics. The Buyer’s Agent’s exclusive purpose is to diligently represent your best interests as the homebuyer. They are obligated to help you purchase a home at the right price, at the best reasonable terms and to expose to you any known knowledge of negative factors that may adversely effect your interest.

What A Buyer’s Agent Must Do For You
Ask your Buyer’s Agent to commit in writing to exclusively represent your interests as a homebuyer, which should include guaranteed commitment and dedication to the following responsibilities.

• Locate, research and analyze real estate, properties and homes that meet your requirements.
• Guarantee confidentiality of any information you provide. Provide professional advice at every level of process.
• Guarantee that he or she will not represent the seller at any time and is working exclusively for you.
• Point out any negative aspects or positive aspects permitting you to make fully informed purchase decisions.
• Provide comparable sales analysis to help formulate a negotiating strategy.
• Help expose previous offers and counter-offers on the subject property, strengths and weaknesses of the property and how long the property has been on the market.
• Handle direct negotiations with the seller or seller’s agent.
• Facilitate professional home inspection to identify any negative aspects.
• Assist with mortgage services, title insurance, verification of all terms and conditions of sale and purchase agreements during all phases of negotiation, inspection and through closing.

Who Pays Your Buyer’s Agent?
Not you. Your buyer’s agent generally receives a share of the sales commission built into the selling price. So, it should not cost you any more to be exclusively represented by a buyer’s agent. This commission sharing relationship typically occurs whether you are purchasing a resale home or a new home from a new homebuilder. As a side note… if a new home developer extends courtesy to homebuyer’s agents, always use that no-cost advantage. However, make sure your buyer’s agent accompanies you on your first visit to the developer’s model home office.

Always Use the Buyer’s Agent Advantage
Do not use the listing agent whose name is on a “For Sale Sign”. They represent the seller…not you. Buying a home is likely the most sizable investment you’ll ever make. Always retain a buyer’s agent to help you make the best-informed, intelligent decision for your own self-protection. Put experience to work for you to make the best deal at the best price. And, remember there is no cost to you for diligent representation.