Caveat Emptor -- "Buyer, Beware!"

There's a reason these words are included in every deed. The real estate industry has changed since 1984, the year Sloan Bashinsky published his¬ ground-shaking Lambs to the Slaughter, but from the buyer's point of view, things are much the same. Bashinsky, a real estate attorney, chronicles the trials and tribulations of three clients who found themselves in litigation to recover damages incurred during the purchase of a new home. The book’s basic message is simple: Buyers need professional representation from the outset.

Oddly enough, even after more than 20 years, real estate agents who specialize in buyer representation are still in the minority. The real estate business still remains heavily weighted in the favor of sellers. This web resource will help you better understand what a buyer's broker is -- and how they can save you time and money by helping you through what is probably the single largest investment you will ever make.

It costs you less to be represented. Buyer agency pays for itself. Apart from having someone negotiate the best deal (so you pay less), the fee is almost always included in the transaction.  Since you don't pay more for it, why not have a real estate professional working for you? In other words, why pay for the other side to be the only one represented?

So caveat emptor! Buyer, beware! In other words, be an aware buyer, aware of the perils in the real estate market -- and have an expert guide you through them.

Important note: Licensed real estate agents in New York state are not allowed to advise their clients or customers outside their area of licensed expertise. They may know many things about construction, legal matters etc, however; there job is to help you find the necessary professionals that maybe needed to properly advise you on matters that may arise in any given real estate transaction. They essentially need to be the source of the source of information and the professionals that can properly advise you in within their specific area of expertise.

This web resource will help you better understand what a buyer's broker (or buyer's agent) 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.

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Brian P. Cafferty

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson