Don't wait until it's an emergency to ask for help with your home search. Professional help is readily available starting from the first moment you begin thinking about a home and the help is free!

What kind of professional provides help for free?

A licensed real estate agent can represent home buyers as a Buyer's Agent.

What is a Buyer's Agent?

A Buyer's Agent is a licensed real estate agent who uses their knowledge, skills, time and technology to work solely in the best interest of his/her home buyer clients.

How can a Buyer's Agent work for free?  Don?t real estate agents charge commissions?

A Buyer's Agent needs to earn a living just like everyone else. However, in general, when a home owner lists their home for sale, they agree to pay a commission fee to all agents who help sell their home. Therefore, the seller is paying both his agent and the Buyer's Agent.  So your Buyer's Agent's help is at no additional cost to you.

*Although the Buyer's Agent is essentially compensated by the seller, it does not change the fact that a Buyer's Agent legally works for you, must keep your personal information confidential and act in your best interest.

How is a Buyer's Agent different from other real estate agents?

Real estate agents can help people in different ways. For instance, a Seller's Agent has a duty is to get the seller the best price and terms possible. Therefore, the Seller's Agent cannot tell you if the seller is willing to negotiate the price.  However, if your Buyer Agent learns that the Seller is in a poor financial position, your Buyer Agent will help you negotiate a better purchase price and/or terms.

Can my Buyer Agent show me homes listed by many different real estate companies?

Yes! That is one of the great benefits of using a Buyer's Agent! Just like you can purchase a public company's stock through any stockbroker, homes listed for sale are bought and sold the same way. To see multiple homes, you only have to make one call to your Buyer's Agent. Your Buyer's Agent makes all the required arrangements to show you multiple homes, saving you a ton of time and hassle. With your Buyer's Agent, you spend your time seeing homes instead of working the phone.

How will my Buyer's Agent know what homes are available that I might want to see?

The primary tool used by real estate agents for tracking homes for sale is the Multiple Listing System (commonly called the "MLS"). Real estate agents who belong to the MLS can enter your home search criteria into their computer system to learn what homes are currently available for sale that match your needs.

I can find homes for sale on the Internet. Why do I need a Buyer's Agent to look for me?

The Internet is full of information and is a great tool for general research. However, it is not nearly as complete or up-to-date as your Buyer's Agent's systems. Did you know there is often up to a 3 business day delay before a newly listed home is displayed on Realtor.com? A home listed on Friday evening might not show up until the following Thursday. By then it very well might be sold! Additionally, searching the internet for homes requires considerable time and effort. You probably already have a full-time job doing something other than home buying. Your Buyer's Agent specializes in finding the right homes and will notify you about new listings immediately. So put your Buyer's Agent's time to work for you.

Other than showing me homes, how else can my Buyer's Agent help me?

In short, a whole lot more! If you are a first time buyer, a Buyer's Agent should spend some time when you first meet to explain the home buying process and answer any questions. A Buyer's Agent will also help you learn about different mortgage options and can refer you to a competent mortgage professional who will qualify you for a loan. When the right home is found, your Buyer Agent will provide you with information about recent sales in the neighborhood to help you determine the best price to offer. In addition to price, there are other important terms your Buyer Agent will help you understand including inspections, mortgage contingencies, and deadlines. And once you are "under contract" on a home, your Buyer Agent will manage the process, coordinate schedules with the numerous other people involved and keep your purchase on track within the deadlines while continuing to protect your interests up to the closing day!

How do I hire a Buyer's Agent?

Hiring a Buyer's Agent is as simple as scheduling an appointment to sit down and discuss your needs, desires and concerns. An EasyLivingNJ agent would be happy to make an appointment with you for a casual, "no strings attached" meeting to discuss your goals of purchasing a home and answer any questions about the process, home options and how they help people.

Will I need to sign anything?  Do I need to commit?

In short, yes and no. Any time a real estate agent either meets you for the first time to show you homes or intends to discuss your personal information or motivations concerning buying or selling a home, the agent is required by law to provide you with a "Consumer Information Statement." This form is NOT a contract and does NOT bind you in any manner to the agent requesting your signature. The C.I.S. is an informational statement explaining who the agent will represent (i.e. the buyer, the seller, both, neither, etc...) and your signature is simply  proof that the agent provided the statement.

Though not in common use yet, Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreements are available that spell-out the obligations and responsibilities of your Buyer Agent and you. If you wish to have a written agreement with your Buyer Agent, simply ask them for one to review.

To learn more about Buyer's Agents or to schedule an appointment with one, contact us!