If you walk into an open house without having your own real estate agent, 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿.
And here’s something every homebuyer should understand: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂.That means the listing agent owes fiduciary duties to the seller, including loyalty, confidentiality, and acting in the seller’s best interests.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻?The listing agent’s job is to help the seller obtain the best possible price and terms, negotiate on the seller’s behalf, protect the seller’s confidential information, and advocate for the seller’s interests throughout the transaction.The listing agent is still supposed to deal honestly and fairly with you, but that’s very different from having a professional whose fiduciary duty is to advocate for 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 interests.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 and you will probably come to realize that you should get a buyer’s agent on your side. A buyer’s agent owes fiduciary duties to you, the buyer. That means helping you evaluate the property’s value, analyze comparable sales, formulate offers, negotiate favorable terms, and navigate the many issues that can arise during a transaction.
You would not let the seller pick your attorney or your inspector, so I’m not sure why you think it’s a good idea to be guided by their agent…
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