Why hire a buyer broker?
Buyer brokerage services go well beyond finding and showing homes. It’s easy to find available homes for sale, and it’s not difficult to show a home and provide basic information about the property. After all, lists of homes for sale and basic property information is readily available to just about anyone, so where’s the value in hiring and paying a dedicated, competent buyer broker?
As a buyer’s broker, I’m paid for my knowledge, expertise, and time. I’m paid to keep current with every industry change, prepare my clients and ensure they understand each step and each contract term and option, arm them with the knowledge and details that allow them to make informed decisions, and find solutions when things go awry. I’m paid to stay up late to write an offer that’s due immediately, leave the dinner table to negotiate a contract term, and get out of bed extra early to meet a trusted contractor for a critical estimate that can’t wait. In short, I’m paid to use all my resources to keep my skills sharp and to use those skills to the benefit of my clients from the day we start working together until after I hand them the keys to their new home; a process timeline that varies quite a bit from client to client but averages 2 to 6 months in length.
Here’s a basic look at what I provide as I buyer broker.
A clear process, based on years of experience. I began my real estate career in 2015, received my Managing Broker license in 2019, and .
Experience closing hundreds of real estate sales. An equal balance of working with buyers and sellers ensures that I understand both sides of a sale and provides the benefit of thoughtful options and resolutions.
A team of professionals that provide additional support, vacation & sick day coverage, legal advice, second opinions, and timely services no matter the day.
Local market knowledge, area trends, and up-to-date stats that give my clients a data edge.
Community and property resources so clients can thoroughly vet potential homes and weigh risk and reward before moving forward.
Connections to inspectors, contractors, and specialists for advice, estimates, maintenance, and repairs.
Here’s an introduction into what I do as a buyer broker and why.
I’m a full time real estate professional. This is my only job because real estate is not a side hustle. The transactions and contracts that I work with are too complex and too important to put half of my heart and brain into.
I understand the gravity of real estate contracts. I know that licensed real estate agents are held to the standard of care of an attorney in Washington in all that they do to represent clients.
I know the forms, and I understand the implications of their use, how to deploy them to benefit my clients, and how to guard against poor practices and misuse. In Washington, there are over 170 different forms that can be used in the purchase and sale of property around the state and another, smaller group of forms that are specific to certain counties.
I advise my clients, navigate complex contracts, manage timelines and contingencies, and work to protect my client’s earnest money and other interests.
I point out red flags in homes and properties and in offers, counteroffers, and contracts. I advise on implications and future resale and investment opportunities.
I mindfully negotiate towards my client’s goals by keeping client information and our conversations confidential, never divulging a client’s minimum or maximum, and never agreeing to anything or offering up information on my client’s behalf.
I recommend vetted professionals and contractors and help gather estimates that provide my clients with a better overall picture of a property’s needs.
I leverage relationships and hold people accountable as I work to protect my clients best interests and keep things moving and on track.
I never let my professional education slide. My commitment to professional growth means I’m constantly educating myself and able to provide guidance in accordance with the most current laws and regulations, with foresight into upcoming changes and adjustments.
I attend conferences and professional development geared towards best practices.
I serve on local and state Boards for the National Association of Realtors® and advocate for legislation that protects homeowners and seeks to lower the overall cost of housing and smooth the way for more Americans to become homeowners if they want to.
I network with professional and industry peers and offer them support, building and maintaining relationships and a professional reputation that benefits all of my clients.
I take my responsibilities and my work seriously. I care about my clients, and I’m committed to excellent service and best practices that put my clients first. As a buyer broker, I don’t get paid to find houses because anyone can find a house, and buyer brokers spend very little time doing that. It’s everything that happens prior to and afterwards that matters most. Before you strike out alone or hire an agent to help you buy a home, please do your research and interview multiple agents.