STEP 1. Picking A Buyer’s Agent

WHAT IS A BUYER’S AGENT?

A top-flight buyer’s agent is active in their market and has a firm grasp of its trends, listing and selling prices, supply and demand, and the inclinations of local builders. He or she is a good listener who takes the time to get to know you, understand your needs and concerns, identify areas of compromise and is with you every step from the initial showing to closing.

There is a difference between a good listing agent and a good buyer’s agent. At times they are the same person, but the activities they perform are different. The buyer’s agent represents YOU and only YOU in the real estate transaction. From the very first meeting, they listen to your ideas, needs, wants, and financial goals. They will then work with you to find the right home based on this information. They have a fiduciary duty to protect your interests and not the interest of the sellers. They will be your personal representative in the process and handle all the negotiations for you, ensuring you get the best possible sales price and terms.

A buyer’s agent will bring a team of experts together to work with you depending on your needs. This might include a tax consultant, mortgage broker, credit counselor, as well as home inspectors. They will help you explore communities and help you learn about the neighborhood, community amenities, school districts, resale value and all the other aspects that you should consider to make an educated home purchase.

HOW DOES A BUYER”S AGENT GET PAID?

Our buyer's agents get paid through a pre-arranged agreement made with the listing agent brokerage. The Georgia Move Realty has sold more than 1000 homes and never had a single buyer pay us even a dollar.

CAN CALLING A LISTING AGENT SAVE ME MONEY?

Some buyers want to use the listing agent to write a contract on a home. They do this because they assume it will save them money on the commission. Unfortunately for them, the commission was already negotiated and established before the property went on the market. In the listing agreement, the sellers agree to pay the listing agent a specific commission to sell their home. When the agent places the listing in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a percentage of that commission is assigned to the agent whose clients purchase the home. As a result, when a buyer calls the listing agent and eventually purchases the home through a dual agency, the listing agent is paid the commissions of both the sellers and buyers or, as we say in the business, “both ends.” No reduction in commission occurs or is owed the buyers.

DO NOT CAL THE LISTING AGENT, AND THIS IS WHY

When you find a home of interest, should you call its listing agent? No. In the competitive world of real estate, you should always have an agent representing your interests, and yours alone, in purchasing any property. When you ask the listing agent to write a contract for you, you are asking them to perform dual agency.

WHAT IS DUE AGENCY?

It is an agreement by which one agent represents both the seller and buyer in a transaction. In a dual agency, neither party holds the benefit of exclusive representation. Georgia Move Realty does not practice dual agency. We believe it is impossible for one agent to represent two parties with competing interests while preserving fiduciary responsibility to one of them. (In fact, several states have made dual agency illegal). Before agreeing to represent the buyer, the listing agent is already legally obligated to look out for the best interests of the seller. As a result, buyers surrender a significant negotiating posture by working through the listing agent.

WHAT IF I ACCEPT DUE AGENCY?

Should you agree to dual agency, be very guarded about the information you share with the listing agent. Furthermore, keep your negotiating strategy to yourself.

CAN A BUYER’S AGENT SHOW EVERY PROPERTY

A licensed real estate agent can show any home on the market in the state of Georgia. We also show For Sale By Owner (FSBO) properties.In general, buyers do not pay a commission to Georgia Move Realty or their agents for showing properties. However, if you want to visit a FSBO property and the seller is unwilling to pay a commission, we will notify you before you view the property. We will also offer you two options:

View the property without the assistance of our team and pay us no commission.
Reach a commission agreement with us before you visit the property and we will represent you in the transaction.

LOCAL BUYER AGENTS