Top 5 Reasons to Hire a Buyer’s Real Estate Agent

hiring a real estate agent to buy a house

Some buyers are tempted to embark on the home buying process without a real estate agent’s help. However, this may not be the smartest decision. Instead, most buyers should seriously consider hiring a buyer’s agent.

5 Reasons for Hiring a Real Estate Agent to Buy a Home

A buyer’s agent is a licensed real estate professional who specializes in assisting potential buyers. If you do not fully understand a buyer agent’s role or why it’s important to hire one when buying real estate in Las Vegas (or elsewhere), read below for the top five reasons to hire a buyer’s real estate agent.

1) They Represent You and Your Best Interests

Simply put, a buyer’s agent works for you. That means that throughout every step of the process, they have your best interest at heart. They will be responsible for handling all the paperwork and any issues that may arise while putting the deal together.

Most importantly, the buyer’s agent works hard to get you to the closing table. If any items are missing or are outstanding, your agent will ensure that they are completed and finalized before your scheduled closing date.

2) They Actively Search for Your Perfect Home

While you may have attempted to search through listings on your own, an experienced, professional buyer’s agent has a much more extended network. This includes having access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), where they can find additional listings that you may not have access to on your own.

Also, given their relationship with other agents in the community, they may get first dibs on off-market deals or properties that haven’t even made it to the MLS yet.

Additionally, a buyer’s agent can typically schedule showings faster and even schedule multiple showings in one day. Compared with trying to schedule appointments on your own, an agent can typically do this much faster than you can.

Overall a buyer’s agent is always working for you and always actively searching for the perfect home on your behalf. They will schedule showings and develop a strategy to help find you the best home as soon as possible and save you a lot of energy and time throughout the process.

Also, keep in mind that if your buyer’s agent is an expert in your neighborhood, they may have already viewed some of the homes that you are considering. As such, if a particular home that you are interested in does not meet your qualifications, your agent can save you some time by letting you know this before you waste your time viewing the property yourself.

3) Market Knowledge & Neighborhood Expertise

Your buyer’s agent can give you the ins and out of the neighborhood that you are considering moving into. They will have access to valuable information such as the cost of utilities, zoning, traffic patterns, and the school system in your neighborhood.

Finding the perfect property is just one part of the homebuying process. An agent who is an expert in your neighborhood can further narrow down your search to ensure that you have chosen a community that meets your holistic lifestyle requirements.

4) Skilled in the Art of Negotiation & Submitting Offers

Most real estate agents are skilled negotiators because this is what they do for a living. Once you put in an offer for a home, your agent will be able to negotiate on your behalf. An experienced buyer’s agent will be able to advise you on what the best offer is for the property. They will ensure that your offer is not too high or too low so that you won’t offend the seller.

Keep in mind that the Las Vegas housing market is extremely competitive, and most (good) properties receive multiple offers. Having an experienced agent working for you who knows how to handle bidding wars is a great strategy to ensure that you get the property you want.

Moreover, your agent will make sure that your offer and the final sales contract include the appropriate contingencies clauses to protect your interest, should you need to walk away from the deal for reasons such as an unsatisfactory home inspection, etc.

hiring a real estate agent to buy a home

5) It’s Free to You!

Some potential buyers are not even aware that the service of the buyer’s agent is free for them. Specifically, in a standard residential sales contract, the seller is responsible for the commission for both their listing agent and the buyer’s agent.

Therefore, as a buyer, you can hire your own agent to advocate on your behalf for free. If you do not find a home with your agent for some reason, they will not be paid any type of commission. With that being said, there’s absolutely no reason why buyers shouldn’t hire their own agent to advocate for them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buyer’s Agents

Why Use a Buyer’s Agent?

Given that a buyer’s agent is always representing your best interest and can use their network to find you the perfect home, there is simply no reason not to hire one. Additionally, buyer’s agents are skilled negotiators because this is what they do for a living. They know how to ask the right questions and look out for things that may not even be on your radar. Lastly, they are free for you.

If this doesn’t sell you on the fact that you should use the buyer’s agent, remember that hiring a real estate agent to buy a house will ensure that a professional is dealing with all the paperwork and any issues that may arise while trying to finalize the deal. Generally speaking, agents take the stress and headache out of the home buying process.

Should I Hire a Real Estate Agent to Buy a House?

Buyer’s agents are experts in their market and industry. Most agents have a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and experience that help buyers successfully navigate the home buying process. This is especially true if you’re a first-time homebuyer who has a lot of questions.  Overall, a buyer's agent can save you a lot of time and energy. They can provide expert support and guidance throughout the entire home buying process. Their role can’t be overstated.

What’s the Difference Between a Buyer’s REALTOR® and Real Estate Agent?

When hiring a buyer’s agent, you may see that some agents call themselves REALTOR® versus a real estate agent. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are technically not the same thing. If an agent identifies as a REALTOR®, this means that they are an active member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). NAR’s members are required to abide by a stricter code of ethics than regular licensed real estate agents. Members must also pass an exam regarding the code of ethics to be eligible to be a REALTOR®.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Real Estate Agent to Buy a Home?

As a buyer, you don’t have to pay any money to hire your own agent to represent you throughout the home buying process. In standard residential sales transactions, the seller pays the commission for both your agent and their agent. This arrangement is usually part of the listing agreement that the seller signs when they put their home on the market.

Where Can I Find a Good Buyer’s Agent?

You can find a buyer’s agent through various sources and referrals. However, you don’t want just any old buyer’s agent; you want an experienced professional that you can trust.

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