Buyer Agency

Who Represents the Buyer in Real Estate Transactions?

Most people know the listing agent represents the seller, but buyers also have the option of having their own "buyer agent" represent them. In virtually all real estate transactions, there is no cost to the buyer to have an agent representing their interests-broker fees are typically paid by the seller.

Becky Babcock and her team of buyer specialists recommend all buyers be represented by a buyer agent in real estate transactions.

What are the Advantages of Having a Buyer Agent?

Buyer agents work to get you the best possible price and the best terms and conditions in your home purchase, writing the contract in a way to protect your interests regarding everything from professional home inspections to appraisals to building materials that have been involved in class action lawsuits, like siding and plumbing products.

Buyer agents do research to help you make a more informed decision:

• Find out how much the seller paid when they bought the property
• Find out how much the seller owes on the property
• Estimate the length of time the home has been on the market
• Calculate the market value of the home, based on comparable sales

Buyer agents can provide you with a comprehensive search of all homes for sale by all real estate companies in the multiple listing service database, including photos and directions, so you may choose what homes you want to see.

After the initial computer search for properties for you, a buyer agent can put your home search in the system as a permanent ongoing search, and e-mail you all new listings meeting your criteria the same day they go into the computer, giving you the first chance to see homes that are new on the market, before they are picked over.

Buyer agents can recommend lenders, home inspectors, insurance companies, closing attorneys, and other professionals. Experience handling real estate transactions on a full time basis helps buyer agents get to know which real estate related professionals provide exceptional service and a good value.

Buyer agents can show you any home listed for sale by any real estate company, plus they can show you and represent you with a "for sale by owner" home.

Buyer agents can also show you new homes for sale. When you have a buyer agent, the subdivision agents will work hard to make you happy, because they want your agent to bring back more potential buyers to their neighborhood.

You can call your buyer agent with addresses of homes for sale that you drive by, or ads you find about homes, and they can look up the information for you, making your real estate search a lot simpler – no more calling dozens of agents and hoping they call you back with information on their listings! Looking at several homes at once with one agent also utilizes your time more effectively.

Why is Loyalty Important?

When you commit to working exclusively with a Buyer Agent, you are essentially saying you value their time and professional expertise, and want them to actively work for you, searching for that perfect property. A buyer agent will search far and wide for the right property, because they know their time and effort will be rewarded when they find the right property for you. Essentially, your loyalty to them means they are loyal to you - it is a two-way partnership that benefits both the buyer and the agent.

What Steps Do I Take to Make Sure I have a Buyer Agent?

To enlist the help of a buyer agent, you must execute a buyer agency agreement. Georgia law prohibits real estate brokers from representing a buyer as a client without first entering into a written agreement with the buyer.

In this agreement, you agree to handle all real estate concerns through your buyer agent; including having your agent be the person to show you any property you are interested in seeing. It is best to have your agent visit new home subdivisions and open houses with you as well, but if you happen to visit a new home community without your agent, be sure and disclose to the onsite subdivision agent that you have a buyer agent.

Part of the buyer agency agreement includes acceptance of another type of agency, known as dual agency, where the same agent represents both the buyer and seller. In that case, the agent must be fair and treat parties equally, not divulging any confidential information that would give one party an advantage over the other.

Becky Babcock and her buyer specialists would enjoy the opportunity to represent you and make your home or land purchase a pleasant and hassle-free experience!

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