Why Use a Pocono Buyer's Agent

It is important that you choose an experienced agent who is there for you. Your agent should be actively finding you potential homes, keeping you informed of the entire process, negotiating furiously on your behalf, and answering all of your questions with competence and speed.

First, find an agent who represents you and not the seller. This is beneficial during the negotiation process. If you are working with a buyer's agent, he or she is required not to tell the seller of your top choice. In addition, he or she is also focused on getting you the lowest asking price.

Some tips on working with a real estate agent:

1. Understand Buyer's Agents Work on Commission

• Very few real estate buyer's agents work on salary.
• Most real estate buyer's agents are paid commission. If an buyer's agent does not close a sale, the agent does not get paid.
• Buyer's aAgents are not public servants and do not work for free. Do not ask an agent to work for you if you intend to cut the agent out of a commission.

2. Please Keep Appointments and Be On Time

• Be respectful, use common courtesy and don't expect a buyer's agent to drop what she is doing to run out to show you a home.
• Do not make an appointment with an buyer's agent and then forget to show up.
• If you are going to be late ofr an appointment, call and let your buyer's agent know when you expect to arrive.

3. Choosing A Real Estate Buyer's Agent

• If you decide to hire your own buyer's agent, interview agents to find an agent with whom you are comfortable.
• If you are interviewing buyer's agents, let each agent know you are in the interview stage.
• Please do not interview two different buyer's agents from the same company.

4. Do Not Call The Listing Agent if You Are Working With a Buying Agent

• Listing agents work for the seller, not the buyer. If you hire the listing agent to represent you, that agent will now be working under dual agency.
• If listing agents show you the property, the listing agent will expect to represent you.
• Listing agents do not want to do the buying agent's job. Let your buyer's agent do her job.

5. Open House Protocol

• Ask your buyer's agent if it's considered proper for you to attend open houses alone.
• Hand your buyer's agent's business card to the agent hosting the open house. Letting them know you are represented protects you.
• Do not ask the open house host questions about the seller or the seller's motivation. Let your buyer's agent ask those questions.

• Ask about the difference between an Exclusive and Non-Exclusive Buyer's Broker Agreement.
• If you're not ready to sign a buyer's broker, do not ask that agent to show you homes.
• Ask your buyer's agent to release you from the contract if you become dissatisfied.

7. Always Ask For and Sign an Agency Agreement

• By law, agents are required to give buyers an Agency Disclosure.
• Signing an agency disclosure is your proof of receipt. It is solely a disclosure. It is not an agreement to agency. Read it.
• The best and most practiced type of agency is the single agency. This mean you are represented by your own agent who owes you a fiduciary responsibility.

8. Make Your Expectations Known

• If you expect your agent to pick you up at your front door and drive you home after showing homes, tell them. Many will provide that service. If not, they will ask you to meet at the office.
• Let your agent know how you want them to communicate with you and how often. Do you want phone calls, e-mails, text messages, IM's or all of the above?
• Set realistic goals and a time frame to find your home. Ask your agent how you can help by supplying feedback.

9. Be Ready To Buy

• If you aren't ready to buy, you don't need a real estate agent. You can go to open houses by yourself; call listing agents for showings -- but be honest, say you are "only shopping"; look at homes online; but don't waste an agent's time if you aren't ready to act.
• Bring your checkbook. You'll need it to write an offer because an earnest money deposit may be required to accompany any purchase offer.