It’s no secret: access to technology means there’s a lot you can do on your own that used to be exclusive to professionals. We’re no strangers to the fact that most of our clients are browsing Zillow and Redfin before and during our work together. There’s nothing wrong with that; we believe that knowledge is power, and it’s an advantage to have so much information at our fingertips.
But does that mean buyers are equipped to start making offers on homes or working directly with listing agents without professional representation? Not at all. The following factors are essential to a real estate transaction that’s truly fair, legal, and beneficial to all parties — and they require the work of a qualified buyer’s agent.
Local Market Knowledge
While online research can take you far these days, there truly is no substitute for local market expertise. An experienced buyer’s agent knows the nuances of each neighborhood in your search radius, from which streets are noisy to which schools have the best reputations. More importantly, they understand the norms of local real estate agreements and home values. Whether you’re moving a town over or across the country, an expert buyer’s agent will bring the knowledge and background necessary for a smooth transaction.
Negotiation Skills
Going directly to a listing agent might feel like a smart way to cut out an extra set of fees — after all, for most people, the purchase of a home is one of the largest purchases of a lifetime and every percentage point helps.
However, buyer’s agents are equipped with negotiation skills and advice that can end up saving you tens of thousands of dollars on your transaction. What’s more, buyer’s agent fees may be paid by the seller, meaning you’ll have an expert negotiator on your side at no direct cost to you. Working with an experienced and proven buyer’s agent is one of the best ways to look after your financial future.
Advocacy and Confidentiality
Real estate contracts are lengthy and full of in-depth “legalese” that is not easy to understand for anyone who doesn’t work in the field. In real estate, laws and contracts are always changing, making it difficult to find reliable and current information.
Real estate agents obtain education specific to these contracts. While it’s legally possible to go straight to a listing agent, this creates an imbalanced agreement as one party brings thorough understanding of the contract and the other may be figuring it out as they go. You deserve to have a professional advocate on your side, and someone you can trust to look after your interests. A buyer’s agent legally has fiduciary responsibility for the buyer, meaning the agent must look after the financial interests of the buyer through diligence and confidentiality.
Professional Resources and Processes
Working with a high-quality buyer’s agent generally means saving thousands when all is said and done, but another outcome of working with a buyer’s agent is worth even more: stress reduction. Negotiations, complex contracts, local laws, and the unavoidable emotions that come with finding a new home can all take a serious toll on mental health and stress levels. Forgoing a buyer’s agent means taking all of that on alone.
With a buyer’s agent on your side, you’ll have the peace of mind that only comes with tried and true processes and thorough professional resources. A buyer’s agent helps relieve the pressure to figure it all out on your own and allows for a clearer, smoother, and less stressful process.
As you navigate one of the most impactful financial decisions of your life, having a team you can trust by your side can make a world of difference. It’s our honor and privilege to represent buyers entering a new phase of life, however large or small the move. If you have questions about buyer’s representation, please reach out — we’d love to talk through them! Call or text us at 719-337-7254 or 720-498-9592.
