You deserve professional and competent representation. More than one million people in the United States are licensed to sell real estate. Of those licensees, fewer than 2 percent are Accredited Buyer Representatives (ABR). The listing (or Seller's) agent has a fiduciary responsibility to represent the seller.

Buying a home is in all likelihood one of the most significant purchases you will ever make. Do you think you want to make such a major decision without the assistance of a professional? Historically, all residential real estate agents represented the home seller. That was true of the "listing agent" who put the home up for sale, as well as the agent who found the buyer. The agent who helped the buyer find the right home actually worked as a "sub-agent" of the listing agent. Under that system, all agents were legally bound to represent the seller, and the buyer had no representation.

In today's market, informed buyers can receive exclusive confidential representation by choosing a "buyer's agent" who, although generally paid by the seller, will work for the buyer. A buyer's agent, as stipulated by the Realtors code of ethics and state laws provides the buyer with loyalty, diligence, confidentiality, disclosure, trust and integrity. The buyer's agent represents the consumer who is purchasing the property in the real estate transaction. This agent owes full fiduciary responsibilites, duties and loyalties to the real estate buyer. The buyer's agent works for the buyer client and has the client's best interest in mind throughout the entire real estate transaction process. A buyer's agent can counsel you by sharing with you such things as how long a property has been on the market, when a seller purchased the property and, in some cases, what the present owner paid for it. A buyer's agent is also skilled at helping to establish a reasonable offering price and contract terms.

As an Accredited Buyer Representative, I will:

Evaluate your specific needs and wants and locate properties that fit those specifications. Show you properties, regardless of who they are listed with, even if they are "for sale by owner." Advise you of the fair market value of properties that you are considering buying and provide other pertinent information to help you make informed decisions. Advise you on structuring an appropriate offer to purchase the selected property. Present the offer to the seller's agent and the seller on your behalf. Negotiate the most favorable price and terms on your behalf, as your exclusive representative, without ever disclosing to the seller or the listing agent the top price that you are willing to pay. Review and explain all legal documents. Assist in securing appropriate financing. Provide a list of qualified vendors. Keep confidential information about you and your bargaining position private. Operate as your advocate throughout the entire transaction process, working with lenders and the escrow company on your behalf. Fully represent you throughout the real estate transaction.

You, the buyer, are not charged for this representation!
Buyer's agents are, in most cases, compensated by the seller, via the listing agent. The sales commission is built into the list price with an indication of the amount of commission that will be paid to a buyer broker.

It would be a pleasure to represent you!
Without your own buyer broker representation, you are more or less on your own, even if the listing agent shows you the property and negotiates the offer. You need to be aware that the seller's agent is, for all practical purposes, working for the seller and is the seller's legal representative. While the seller's agent can offer the buyer some services, he or she can not disclose information which is not in the best interest of the seller, such as an opinion of what the home is worth or what price and terms the seller would accept. The seller's agent, by law, must negotiate on behalf of the seller and may not withhold from the seller information that could strengthen their bargaining position. This means you, the buyer, should be very prudent not to disclose to the seller's agent any financial or personal information that could be used against you.

For more information please contact Nancy April: (602) 672-3523, NancyApril@cox.net 

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Last modified: October 10, 2005