It is important to use a real estate agent when purchasing a home.   Choosing an experienced agent who is there to advocate for you, will provide you and your family peace of mind.

Your agent should be actively finding you potential homes, keeping you informed through the entire process, negotiating furiously on your behalf, answer all of your questions with competence and speed and never, ever disclose your financial position to anyone.  Your agent should provide you factual evidence to give you a clear direction so you are able to make an educated, informed decision about your purchase.

As a buyer’s agent, they represent you and not the seller.  If you do not have a written buyer’s agency agreement, anything you tell a realtor can be relayed back to the seller.  A buyer’s agents loyalty lies in negotiating the right price for you and structuring the transaction to your advantage and keeping your bargaining and financial position confidential.

It doesn’t cost you anything to have a buyer’s agent working for you.  Sellers pay a pre-negotiated real estate commission, whether you are represented or not.  If you do not have a buyer’s agent, the entire commission goes to the listing agent’s company – so it doesn’t save you any money not to use an agent.

Here are a few factors to consider when interviewing agents:

• Is there a personality match?
• Do they make me feel comfortable?
• Do I feel like they are on my side?
• Do I find myself getting defensive?
• Will the agent give me the time and attention I deserve?

Last but not least, select an agent that works with enough clients to be knowledgeable and experienced, but not so many that you are vying for their time and effort.