Buyers Agent Role

As a nod to the TV show Law and Order, this story was ripped from the headlines! There is so much talk right now about buyer’s agents, let’s talk about their specific role in a real estate transaction.

1. Helping the buyer find the right home through many channels including through the multiple listing service, networking with other agents, and interviewing past clients.

2. Understanding and clearly communicating the intricacies of the NC state contract.

3. After completing a thorough market analysis of the home’s listed price, negotiate the most favorable terms for the buyer that align with the homeowner’s motivation to sell. Does that mean the lowest price for the buyer? Not necessarily. Negotiable terms in the contract include purchase price, due diligence AND earnest money, personal property and fixtures to remain with the home, due diligence and closing dates, and buyer possession dates.

4. Facilitating voluntary but necessary inspections including a home inspection, survey, termite inspection, and radon test. Researching permits if relevant.

5. Negotiating due diligence requests that might involve repairs, despite no contractual obligation of the seller to do so.

6. Helping buyers secure financing if needed. Preferably through a local lender.

7. Communicating with a local attorney to establish a closing date and time, and making sure all pertinent documents are obtained.

8. Supporting clients after closing as a valuable resource for home-related needs such as vendor help, or tax/valuation questions.

The very best buyer’s agents in our Winston-Salem area market are skilled experts who know the contracts well and are always learning and networking. The North Carolina state contract is complicated! To out-of-state buyers and first-time home buyers, due diligence is often a surprising and frustrating condition.

As a buyer, not knowing and fulfilling contractual obligations can cost you money, AND it can cost you the house that you are under contract for. Don’t let that happen, hire a professional buyer’s agent!