Buyers do you have a home buying strategy?

Are you going it alone without a Realtor to assist you?

Have you decided to represent yourself?

Are your family and friends involved, providing you with information you deem factual because a someone said it was?

Do you believe that by dealing directly with the listing agent that:

a) they will represent your interests in the deal?

b) that the agent will reduce their commission, so you don't have to pay as much, just to make the deal happen?

c)The agent will persuade the owner to take your price since the agent wants both sides of the deal, since this represents a higher commission to them?

Are you sure you are aware of all the properties that fit your search parameters?

If you answered yes to most of the above, it is time to rethink your strategy. Seriously!

Do you know that the seller pays the buyers Realtor? You, the buyer, does not usually pay any realtor fees. Why not take advantage of the opportunity to work with a savvy Realtor? Realtors are experts not just in locating homes, but in representing their clients interest. They are taken seriously by the other agent and often have an established working relationship with that agent. They are able to finesse a difficult deal, and bring it to the closing table, because of their experience. It is silly to think that someone that does not deal daily in these activities will be as skilled as one who does. It's sort of like thinking that you can be a talk show host, because you can talk!

The information your family and friends are giving you may be grossly inaccurate, creating confusion and problems with your search. Working with a Realtor opens the door to information you really need to efficiently buy a home, at a realistic price you will be happy with. A Realtor makes it their business to know the market you are searching in and they also have access to tools that you probably do not have access to, tools that will help you successfully close on the house you have always wanted.

By New York State law, a listing agent DOES NOT represent the buyer in a deal, even if the buyer comes without an agent. The listing agent only has the obligation to deal fairly and honestly with the buyer. Their loyalty is to the seller. They are not obligated, and nor do they want to, to help you bring the price down, since this is not synonymous with protecting the sellers interests.

Agents rarely reduce commissions since it is generally against their Broker's or company policies. They rarely have the freedom to do so. We, at Goodman Realty, often will reduce the commission by 1%, if we are on both ends, but we do this for the seller-not the buyer. The buyer is generally unaware that we have done this. Indirectly it may help the buyer that we do this, since it may help make the final take home dollar amount for the seller more palatable, allowing them to accept the deal.

We never try to persuade our sellers to take a bad deal, just so that we can have both ends of the commission. We are aware that by doing so, we would have betrayed the trust our clients put into us. We value our clients and want to work with them again and we also want referrals from them. By not looking out for them, it is a sure thing that they will eventually decide we are not worthy of their loyalty and will no longer recommend us or come back to us. Being on both ends of your deal, no matter how large or small, will not be worth the loss of loyalty.

Working with an agent will ensure that you find all homes that are currently AVAILABLE, that fit your search parameters. A good agent is an expert in locating these homes fast and efficiently. You will often be sent notice of new properties that fit your desires, as soon as they come on the market! No more following false or old leads on properties that were actually sold a year ago but never removed from the search engine you are using. No more having to spend hours searching websites for the newest on the market...of which you are sure to miss 50% or more of houses that actually could work for you.

Do you have other reasons that prevent you from getting good representation? If so, I really want to hear from you so that I can understand the thought process involved. Understanding a situation is always the first step in any relationship!

For all of your real estate needs call me! Gini Denninger, 585-760-3880. Goodman Realty!