Choosing the Right Buyer’s Agent
by
Jim Newell 
Finding the perfect home can be a real challenge, and finding a great buyer’s agent can be just as difficult. The job of the buyer’s agent is to serve you – the buyer. Whether you are a first-time homeowner looking for an affordable entry into home ownership or a recent retiree seeking to downsize your lifestyle and enjoy maintenance-free living, it is important to choose a buyer’s agent who truly understands your needs.
Whether you are looking at a home for sale in Carmel Indiana or searching for the perfect lakefront getaway in Nineveh, there are a number of traits you need to look for in a buyer’s agent. One of the most important traits to look for is a compatible personality. After all, you will be spending a lot of time with this person as you scope out the local neighborhoods and look for the perfect property. If you do not like your buyer’s agent, that time will be difficult at best and intolerable at worst.
Compatibility is important, but competence is even more critical. You will want to choose a buyer’s agent that has experience with the type of properties you are interested in, along with a desire to match each client with the perfect property. You do not want a buyer’s agent who just goes through the motions, or one that tries to fit the buyer to the property and not the other way around. A good buyer’s agent will take the time to listen to you and understand your needs. Only after they have gained that understanding will they start the home search.
A good buyer’s agent will also be an expert on the local neighborhoods. They will know which school districts are the best, where taxes are highest and lowest and which areas of town are most likely to rise in value. This kind of neighborhood knowledge is important in any circumstances, but it is even more critical if you are new to the area.
Last but not least, it is important to choose a buyer’s agent who is comfortable communicating with you and willing to use the communication methods you prefer. A young buyer’s agent may be most comfortable communicating via text message and email, but a good agent will be willing to contact clients by phone if that is what they prefer. Buying a home is a major life change and monetary commitment, and keeping the lines of communication open is an indispensable part of the process.
Real estate transactions can be complicated matters, but they do not have to be. If you take the time to understand the nature of the transaction and the role of everyone involved in the sale, you can protect your rights, drive a harder bargain and still end up with the home of your dreams. The role of the buyer’s agent is one of the most critical in the world of real estate, and having a good one in your corner will make the entire process – from finding the perfect property to closing on the sale – much easier and less stressful.
