Do I Need A Buyer's Agent?

I get this question all the time. Do I need a Buyer's Agent, I sold my moms car last year? or I bought a Home 40 years ago? The simple answer is Yes! Things are so different today and will be different 2 years from now. Laws and local ordinances change all the time. Even if you are a Real Estate Agent, you should have someone represent you for personal transactions such as forever home. and Here's Why....

1) Ethical Consideration

As a REALTOR, we must follow a Code of Ethics. Our code of ethics protects the public from agents taking advantage of consumers. There are also legal and financial penalties when the public is harmed. Along with that, there are behavior and professionalism that are codifications of ethical duties. One major duty to our clients is our Fiduciary Duty. Fiduciary is owed by an agent to his principal. This duty obligates a real estate broker to act at all times solely in the best interests of his principal to the exclusion of all other interests, including the broker's own self-interest.

2) Pricing Expertise

Agent are experts in research and pricing of properties. We are, by law, required to maintain class time every 2 years and that includes trends and market movement. We are experts in your home. Plus, Texas is a non-disclosure state and Realtors have access to sales data that is not provided or disclosed to the public. 

3) Requesting Repairs

One of the great advantages of agents is our vast contact list. We use certified TREC Licensed Inspectors to find problems and violations within homes. We can then used those issues as a requests to repair and remedy.  

4) Finding Available Homes

About 90% of homes that are for sale are for sale by a real estate agents. Agents have access to the most homes in any given market.  

5) Opening Doors

Since we have access these homes, we can open up just about any home and give a guided tour. However, we may not be able to see a home if it doesn't work for you, like you may not be prequalified for a specific home. I'm looking for the perfect home for you not just a box with doors.   

6) Tackling the Paperwork

There is so much paperwork involved in a real estate transaction. Everything from the home itself to a loan and everything in between. I recently closed a home with a loan and the loan package had over 120 pages. We are not lawyers but there is a lot of legal documents to approve and understand. As real estate agents we don't draft documents but we understand the legal ramifications and what is being said or asked. We also understand what is needed to close a transaction. From transaction involving death to guardships, to an incarcerated seller; We know what documents and process are need to get to the finish line.       

7) Unemotional Negotiation

We are great negotiators but the one thing that we are not is emotional. This is Business. We may love the home as much as you do but if the numbers don't work out or the seller is making unrealistic demands, then we may advise you as what to do next.

8) Buyer Services Are Usually Free But Not Always

Most buyer services are generally free. I would take advantage of a Buyer's Agent knowledge and systems. Some brokers/companies do charge fees but check with the agent first and read all paper worked asked by them to be signed. I took a client recently that had given up on an agent that refused to show houses past a certain radius from their office. If they wanted to see something a few miles away, they would be charged a surcharge for gas if they did not purchase that home. Some Brokerages also charge a buyer a percentage or flat fee if they are using a loan. There's a ton of ways to get money out of someone, but its all in the fine print. Read before you sign. Here at Muniz Realty, I guarantee that a Buyer will not pay a penny for their Muniz Realty Real Estate Services.      

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A buyer's agent is committed to representing you. In Texas, both agents can set up house tours, and give you info on a home but the listing agent can only represent one party, the seller. He is working for the seller and is trying to get the best deal and most money out of the buyer. 

A buyer's agent protects the buyer's interests during the crucial negotiating and closing process. The agent bargains with the seller on the selling price, facilitates the home inspection, negotiates contingencies and assists the buyer through the closing paperwork. It is in the best interest that a buyer hires a REALTOR. (Hire doesn't mean money involved, just a Representation Agreement.)

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Roy Sawyer

956.588.9811

roysawyer@gmail.com