Why You WANT a Real Estate Buyer’s Agent to Buy a Home

Why you WANT a Real Estate Buyer’s Agent to Buy a Home
If you’re thinking about buying a home, you might wonder whether you really need a real estate agent. There are plenty of resources available for buyers these days—from online search sites to how-to guides. But a real estate agent brings something no buyer, especially a first-time buyer, can offer themselves: a wealth of experience.
An agent works as your advocate and, in most cases, can get you a better deal than you could secure on your own.
Local Expertise
Real estate agents have first-hand knowledge of your local market. Chances are, you don’t know exactly what the current conditions are. Are homes selling for 97% of the asking price? Are you likely to compete against multiple offers? What does it take to win in a bidding war? What should you expect to pay for a three-bedroom detached home? What’s the inventory like?
A local agent can answer these questions and more. The best way to get your offer accepted—at a price that works for you—is to know the market intimately. That’s where your agent comes in.
Access to Homes
Without an agent, getting into homes can be difficult. Sellers are comfortable letting a licensed buyer’s agent access their home via a lockbox. They’re not usually willing to let an unlicensed stranger inside without supervision. That means you’d have to schedule showings around the seller or their agent’s availability, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.
Because of this, many buyers who go it alone end up visiting homes only during open houses. This puts you at a disadvantage—you may not be the first to see the home, which is a problem in a hot market. Plus, the agent hosting the open house represents the seller. Any questions you ask will be answered with the seller’s best interests in mind, not yours.
When you tour a home with your agent, you get private access—and an advocate whose fiduciary duty is to represent your best interests.
Negotiations
There are many terms beyond just the purchase price that get negotiated in a home sale. I can help you build a strong offer, guide you through the deadlines, and make sure you get what you’ve asked for.
Here are some of the items that can be negotiated:
- Purchase Price
- Earnest Money
- Escrow Fees
- Title Fees
- Title Insurance
- HOA Transfer Fees
- HOA Document Prep Fees
- Home Inspection
- Post-Inspection Negotiations
- Sewer, Septic, or Well Inspections
- Seller Rent-Back Period
- Home Warranty
- Inspection Contingency
- Appraisal Contingency
- Sale of Current Home Contingency
- Home Repairs
- Feasibility Study Contingency
- Pest Repair Negotiations
- Loan Contingency
- Days to Close Escrow
- Government Requirements
- Notice to Perform
- Closing Date
- Possession Date and Time
- Keys (door, garage, mailbox)
- Final Walkthrough
- Items Left Behind
- Items to Be Removed
At the End of the Day…
I’m here to help you win the home you love, at a price you’re happy with, on terms that make sense for you. Because this isn’t just about writing an offer—it’s about securing your new home.
Check my Tips & News page for the Washington State Buyer Broker Pamphlet.
Contact us: WashingtonHomeHunt@gmail.com 253.380.1915