Clarifying

Finding the right property starts with finding the right buyer’s broker. They have the skills to help you identify what you're truly looking for. Sometimes, what a buyer thinks they are looking for will bear little resemblance to what they end up falling in love with

A good buyer’s agent helps in two ways at this stage: (1) They are skilled in asking the right questions to help you clarify what you're really looking for and (2) they are knowledgeable about the region--not only houses and prices, but neighborhoods and communities-- so they can help you actually find what you're looking for.

They'll also help you determine your price range, and give you guidance on how to get a pre-approval (or at least a pre-qualification) for a mortgage.

Once You Know What You're Looking For

The Internet is a powerful tool to find and preview -- albeit virtually -- a huge number of properties. It's a great assistant to a buyer's broker, but it's no substitute for an expert's savvy and advice. A real estate listing will never give you the full lowdown. (It's an ad, after all.) Remember the First Rule of Real Estate: location, location, location. Will a listing tell you that the property is in the crosshairs of a big developer, or that it's built on sand or clay? Will a listing evaluate all the nuances of living in that community? Your buyer's broker can help you find this information.

Use the Internet for some of your searching -- it can save a lot of time. But use it wisely. Remember, your buyer's broker can give you access to listings you otherwise wouldn't have, via MLS (Multiple Listings Service), and for sale by owner properties as well. (While some agents offer "MLS searches" on their websites, it's important to understand there is no single MLS out there -- what they are offering is the listings from a single database. Actually, there are thousands of databases; thanks to reciprocal arrangements, your buyer's broker can find properties you can't.)

Once you have identified some potential properties, have them investigated and evaluated more carefully by your buyer’s agent. Using the detailed criteria developed with you, your buyer’s agent can use their own personal knowledge of the property and additional information resources to help you vet the list of potentials down to properties you both agree are worth your valuable time to view in person.

Remember:  a buyer’s agent can provide these services to you whether the property is listed for sale on a local multiple listing service or is for sale by owner!

This web resource will help you better understand what a buyer's broker is -- and how they can save you time and money.

Note: The terms "buyer's broker," "buyer's agent," and "buyer representative" are used interchangeably on this site. Different locales use different terminology for the same idea: a real estate professional who represents you -- the buyer.