Why should I use a real estate agent?
Many buyers wonder why they should sign an exclusive agreement with a real estate agent. Valid question. Here’s why.
A Buyer’s Real Estate Agent Costs You Nothing
That’s right, in most cases, hiring a professional real estate agent in costs the buyer nothing. Most listings (ad by the seller that their property is “for sale”) are written to include compensation for an agent by the seller. Unless you’re an agent, you won’t qualify for this compensation.
A Buyer’s Real Estate Agent Protects Your Interest
Every Maryland Real Estate Agent operates under a strict Code of Ethics. This code requires that an agent for either the buyer or the seller act in a manner that protects the interest of their “principle”, or client. A seller’s agent is therefore bound by this code to get the highest price for the property and the most buyer concessions in the contract. If you’re trying to negotiate with a savvy seller’s agent, you couldend up costing yourself a lot of money and making unnecessary concessions. A buyer’s agent has sharpened negotiating skills and understands the contracts. They too are bound by the code to protect their client,the buyer…meaning get the lowest price possible and fewest concessions. It is never a good idea to enter an Arizona real estate transaction without the services of an Arizona real estate agent.
A Buyer’s Real Estate Agent Knows the Law
Real estate changes hands by way of contract execution. In real estate, as in many fields, contract law is not always what the lay person would “assume” it should be. In order to protect sellers, real estate contract law has many provisions that you could easily and unwittingly violate, possibly costing you your earnest money and killing the deal.
A Buyer’s Real Estate Agent has the Best Access to Information
Real estate agents, especially those who are technical, have access to an enormous amount of information that is unavailable to the general public. The Maryland RegionalMultiple Listing Service, commonly referred to as MLS, is where the vast majority of real estate goes up for sale. Many Realtor® sites allow you to search the MLS. These searches are of limited value for one good reason: Stale data. The MLS search you are permitted to perform are using data that is at least 24 hours old, possibly more. If you’re buying real estate, you want the freshest listings possible so you can be the first to put in an offer if you see something you want. Only an real estate agent can also set up instant alerts. Those alerts send an email to BOTH you and the agent immediately when a new listing is posted, giving you the best chance to be the first tooffer on a new piece of real estate.
In addition, buyer’s real estate agents can provide an enormous amount of information they compile regularly. We have data on schools, neighborhoods, employment and commutes, taxes, area events, shopping, weather, arts and entertainment, parks and recreation, utilities and service companies, health and medical…just about any information you want on a piece of real estate.