So what is a buyer’s agent anyway?
To answer that, let’s first start with seller’s agents. Every agent that has a sign out in front of someone’s home or a sign on some land, represents the seller of that property. Period.
If you approach them and make an offer to them, even if they write up the offer for you, they represent the seller and not you. Their job is to defend the list price and they are obligated to disclose everything they learn about you to the seller!
A buyer’s agent on the other hand enters into a contract with YOU to help you find and secure a home. We represent you, negotiate on your behalf, and owe our fiduciary responsibility to YOU and not the sellers of the property you wish to buy.
How can you represent me free of charge?
A sellers agent enters into a listing contract to sell a home for a homeowner. They are paid a commission based on the sales price to do so.
Out of that commission, the listing contract also says that they will offer a portion of that commission to any other agent that brings a buyer for the property.
So for instance, let’s say “Realty America” has a home for sale in Saratoga. If they find a buyer (you) for the house – they are paid the whole commission on the sale.
If a buyer’s agent (like me) brings a buyer to them, they pay me a portion of their total commission and they keep the remainder.
The seller pays the same amount either way. The difference is only in what the seller’s agent get’s to keep for themselves.
If you think about it, it’s obvious why a sellers agent would want you to come directly to them. If you let them write your offer, they don’t have to split the commission with anyone.
That’s one of the reasons why agents sit at open houses. If you walk in the door without representation and agree to let them write up an offer for you, they “get both sides of the deal” as they say in the industry. It’s legal, and common for homes to get sold that way, it’s simply not in your best interests as a buyer to let it happen in that fashion..
If you use a buyer’s agent, or “Buyer Broker” we represent YOU. The homebuyer. We are required by law to get you the best price and terms we can. We are specialists in the homebuying process. This higher level of professional service has resulted in an average 5% additional savings and a much greater satisfaction for homebuyers.
Even more importantly, I’m a buyer’s agent with years of experience that works for Keller Williams!
Even agents at our company with 15 or 20 years of experience or more take advantage of Keller University’s many classes and seminars to hone their already formidable skills on a weekly basis.
For my clients, it’s important where I work, because they know that even with over 12 years in the business myself, I will not hesitate to reap the benefits of the experience of others.
I have immediate access to over 120 outstanding Keller agents right here in the Capital Region with hundreds of years of combined experience. If one of my clients needs something unusual, I can get instant answers from commercial and industrial specialists, farm and rural property specialists, whatever I and my clients need in addition to my own, not insubstantial, knowledge and experience.
I’d like to apply for the job as YOUR Ambassador for your next home or investment property purchase.
Call me at 518-724-5823 to schedule a no obligation wants and needs analysis. No matter what state you are in, I can find you outstanding representation. Call me today!
Matt Landry – 518LIST.COM
Associate Broker, Keller Williams Realty Capital District
518-724-5823