If you’re starting the home-buying process, especially for the first time, you may be feeling overwhelmed. Sure, there are plenty of resources on the internet nowadays, but where do you even start?
This significant milestone will seem much less daunting as soon as you have a buyer’s agent in your corner. Hiring a professional to represent you and your best interests is essential. A buyer’s agent will not only make the entire process smoother overall, but he or she will also help you get the best possible results with the terms and timeline that meets your needs.
While at first it may seem logical to reach out directly to the agent who listed a home that you’re interested in, this will not be in your best interest. The listing agent’s allegiance and contractual obligation is to the seller. The listing agent’s goal is to sell their client’s home for the highest possible price and under terms that are as favorable as possible for the seller, so they will not be able to provide you with the most helpful advice or negotiate objectively on your behalf.
With those factors in mind, here are just a few reasons to hire a buyer’s agent:
1. It doesn’t cost you anything
Many people are often surprised to learn that hiring a buyer’s agent won’t cost you anything out of pocket. In most cases, the buyer’s agent and seller’s agent will split the commission on a sale, which has been pre-negotiated and factored into the home’s listing price. Who doesn’t love free?
2. An inside scoop on the market
The local market is moving quicker than we’ve ever seen. Homes that are priced competitively and marketed properly are selling in a matter of days. Sometimes, hours! And, with today’s technology, buyers are able to make rapid decisions with an influx of information readily available to them online.
A good agent will be hyper-aware of everything going on in your local market, including properties that haven’t even been listed yet. They may be able to bring you to a property that hasn’t yet hit the market, giving you a leg-up on a purchase!
3. Extensive experience
No matter how educated of a buyer you are, first-hand experience can make all the difference. Buyer’s agents have been to hundreds, maybe thousands, of homes. The agent knows what common problems to look for, or other features that a home may be lacking.
They can also advise you on a home’s value based on their knowledge of the surrounding neighborhood. Especially in this current market, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting a fair purchase price and not substantially overpaying. You may also want to consider the resale value of your home, should you decide to sell in the future. If you overpay now, you may not be able to sell it for as much in the future without making substantial renovations or upgrades. Because of their knowledge and experience in these situations, a buyer’s agent can help you evaluate the right purchase price for a home.
4. Help understanding paperwork and contracts
Even before you make an offer, there is plenty of paperwork to review and terminology to learn. Especially if you’re new to the home-buying process, disclosures and real estate contracts can also be difficult to understand, and you will benefit from having a professional assist you through the contract process. There are many components required and it is important to understand what you’re signing. Your agent will also help keep the timeline on track and ensure all of the details along the way are taken care of.
5. Local connections and referrals
There are several different professionals you may need throughout the transaction, including home inspectors, attorneys, and mortgage lenders. Buyer’s agents typically have a list of trusted professionals that they’ve personally worked with over the years. Your agent will have the right connections, and will be an excellent resource before, during, and after your purchase.
When it comes to financing, in particular, your agent should have extensive knowledge of available financing options and will be able to refer you to someone local and dependable. Choosing the right lender is another critical aspect of the home-buying process. We encourage you to visit our referrals page for local recommendations.
Ultimately, you have every reason to hire a buyer’s agent. With this list in mind, take the time to select an agent you trust to make your home-buying process as smooth as possible.
Chart House Realtors currently ranks #1 in buyer-represented sales across all of the East Bay. We have represented hundreds of buyers and are passionate about serving and advocating for our clients. We encourage you to read what our past clients have to say, and would love to speak with you if you’re considering buying in southern New England.
If you’d like to know more about the services we offer as buyers’ agents, please click the button below to schedule a no-obligation consultation with our team leader, Matt Antonio.
About Chart House Realtors
Chart House Realtors combines the best aspects of size and scale. We are a small boutique firm with 7 full-time, local members. We operate out of our office in Barrington, RI conducting business throughout RI and MA. We are also affiliated with Keller Williams, which is the largest real estate brand in the world, with more agents, more sales and more reach than any other real estate company. So, our clients get the best of both worlds!
Our small, local size gives us the ability to craft a unique personalized plan for each and every client. At the same time, the size and scale of Keller Williams allows us to reach buyers and sellers on a national and international level. Year-to-date, Chart House is ranked among the top 1% in sales across all agents in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
If you are considering buying or selling property anywhere in Southern New England, we would love to hear from you.