Do you want a Buyer’s or Seller’s Agent?

When an agent works with you on every aspect of purchasing a home, that agent is acting as your buyer’s agent. Do you know if this agent just “switched hats” from being a seller’s agent? Would you ask your foot doctor to perform heart surgery or your accident lawyer to represent you in fraud litigation? Do you know if your Realtor® is someone spends 100% of their time working with buyers or sellers? Maybe they’re a “jack of all trades and a master of none”?  Are they just trying to work with anyone they can?

“Order and simplification are the first steps toward the mastery of a subject.”  Thomas Mann

Why is a team beneficial?

Getting an agent who has a team means you have more eyes looking out for you, more people available for you, and communication on a regular basis. Each team member applies their specific strengths and experience to provide you superior service and results than you could ever expect from a single agent or simple partnership. It’s almost like building a home. If you had one individual who had to come in, clear the ground, put in the foundation, do the framework, electrical, plumbing, finish carpentry, and paint- it would take forever and there would be too much room for error. In real estate, if one individual had to return calls, arrange advertising, go on listing appointments, show buyer’s homes, coordinate inspections and closings, there’s just too much to get done in such little time. Now does it make sense to choose an agent that specializes working with buyers and has the staff and systems to provide proficient service necessary for such a life changing investment?

“There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others” George Shinn

Who’s interviewing who?

Realtors have the luxury of choosing how they do business and who they do business with. As a buyer, you have the same luxury. While trying to find a realtor, do you feel as if you are being interviewed as well? Only agents that know what they are doing will interview you to determine what stage of the process you’re in so they can determine where to guide you from there. Your Realtor is there to give you the facts and figures necessary for you to make a wise decision. Your first meeting with your Realtor should be a mutual interview so you both feel comfortable and decide together on how you’re going to continue the process.

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” Henry Ford

Who’s in charge?

Don’t be surprised if you find the home you want to buy within the first few homes you view. If you’re walking through a house you like and your agent doesn’t ask you if you’d like to buy it, ask yourself. You may surprise yourself with an answer. That question seems to make you aware of how interested you really are. You will be making all the decisions. If you’re able to articulate your wants and needs your agent will be able to help facilitate the entire process to make the most of your time. Your in control of choosing the team players to help you win the game. Choose your buyer’s team (Lender & Realtor®) carefully.

” I don’t believe in team motivation. I believe in getting a team prepared so it knows it will have the necessary confidence when it steps on a field and be be prepared to play a good game.”  Tom Landry