How to Talk to Your Real Estate Agent and Find a Better Place to Live
Most real estate agents enjoy working with people; that’s one of the reasons we get into this profession! However, when you’re working with a buyer’s agent to help you find a new home, there are a few things you should keep in mind to maximize the relationship and find your dream home.
1. Be Honest About What You Want in a Home
Your real estate agent can’t read your mind. Be honest about what you can afford and what you want. If your wishlist doesn’t align with your budget, your real estate agent will let you know and help you compromise.
Be as detailed as possible about what features you need, want, and don’t want in a home. If you say you want a two-bedroom house and don’t elaborate on the details, that leaves a lot of guesswork for your agent so don’t blame them if they show you a two-bedroom house that doesn’t meet any of your other expectations. Just lay them all out on the table upfront.
2. Don’t Contact the Listing Agent
If you’re working with a buyer’s agent to help you find a home, let them do their job to set up showings for the properties you’re interested in. If you reach out directly to a listing agent of a subject property, that puts the listing agent in an uncomfortable position. A listing agent cannot represent both the buyer and the seller as an agent without a conflict of interest.
3. Understand What Forms You’re Signing
When you start working with a realtor to show you homes, you’ll probably sign a buyer’s broker agreement. This describes the relationship between you and the realtor. In some cases, it might be an exclusive right to buy form which means that realtor is the only buyer’s agent you can work with to find you a home. If you don’t sign this form and the realtor finds you a home, there might be confusion about who gets the commission.
4. Be a Serious Buyer
On a similar token, if you’re not ready to buy as soon as you find the right place, don’t waste a realtor’s time. If you’re not prepared to sign a buyer’s broker agreement, and you’re just shopping around to assess your options for the future, it’s best to look online or visit open houses.
5. Respect Open House Etiquette
If you see that a home you’ve had your eyes on is having an open house, always call your agent to make sure you can attend alone. Some open houses are geared toward realtors, and some realtors will want to accompany you. If you do go to an open house alone, it’s commonplace to bring a few of your realtor’s business cards with you. That way, if you’re interested, there’s no conflict of interest for the listing agent.
Finding the Right Agent to Help You Buy a Home
The most important rule of all is to never settle for a realtor. Buying a home is a big decision, and you not only need someone knowledgeable about your area, but you also need someone you can trust and someone who you know will advocate for your best interests no matter what. A great buyer’s agent will understand your needs, show you homes, and guide you through the entire buying process when you’re ready to make an offer.
