Buying a House? Choose the Right Buyer's Agent

Buying a home is an important decision in your life. Chances are this will be the biggest financial investment you make in your lifetime. One of the choices you'll have to make is choosing a real estate agent to represent your needs. It only makes sense to hire a professional, who can coach and counsel you along the way.

Here is why it's a good decision to work with a real estate agent.

1. They will listen to your unique situation and help you determine how much you can comfortably afford. They can also recommend lenders, based on what your needs might be (low down payment, questionable credit etc)

2. They can easily find all the properties that are for sale. Don't count on open houses and newspaper ads alone when searching for a house. Some agencies don't advertise at all, and even the ones that do have sometimes over a week's wait before the property hits a print ad.

3. They can set appointments for you to work around your schedule so you can see the house. Setting up an appointment means it has to go through several people, from the buyer's agent to the seller's agent and then to the seller. It can be quite a process sometimes, just to set up a viewing!

4. They will perform the necessary paperwork for you when it's time to make an offer. Contracts can be intimidating; they can walk you through the process and explain it to you. You want to make sure all your needs are met in the original offer to purchase.

5. They are experienced negotiators. That's what they do for a living! You want someone who won't back down and give into pressure from the seller's agent. If the seller isn't willing to accept your offer as it is, they can negotiate to get the best deal that's acceptable to everyone.

Here is what you should expect from your real estate agent.

1. To be treated as a person, not a transaction on their ladder to success. It's not about the quantity of the transactions they do; it's about the quality.

2. To make sure your best interests are represented. You want someone who will fight for you.

3. To make sure you're being treated equally, whether you're buying a $500,000 house or a $100,000 house. Don't turn to an agent who will put you on the back burner because you're not spending enough money in their mind.

4. To have all of your calls returned, and be kept up to date on any changes in the marketplace, or new listings that have come on that will fit your needs. Make sure you don't pick an agent who is going to blow you off.

5. To problem solve for you. Real estate transactions have problems that can arise, make sure they work to resolve them.

Having a buyer's agent on your side is the right decision. Make sure you choose someone who is not only knowledgeable, but has a personality that you're comfortable with. Try to get referrals from friends, family and neighbors if you can. You want to be comfortable through your home buying process!