| One common mistake many home buyers make is | | | | shares the commission with the buyers. |
| that they call the listing agent for information on a | | | | You agent does not get paid until you buy a house. |
| house they like. | | | | So get your own. It does not cost you anything. As |
| The agent listing the house, (the person who put the | | | | the buyer, the seller will pay the real estate |
| sign in the yard) works for the sellers only. She does | | | | commission whether you have an agent representing |
| not work for you and you do not want her to work | | | | you or not, so why not have the added back up and |
| for you. She will blab everything you tell her to the | | | | someone looking out for you? Especially since it will |
| sellers including how much you would pay for the | | | | not cost you anything extra? |
| house. In fact that is her job. | | | | If you have your own agent, they will even coach |
| If you call a listing agent and tell her anything, she is | | | | you on what you should offer for the property. A |
| required to tell the sellers. If she does not, and they | | | | listing agent will never tell you to offer less than the |
| find out, they can sue her and her company for a | | | | asking price, which is against her contract with the |
| ton of money. If that happens she will probably lose | | | | sellers. |
| and lose her job and license as well. | | | | You won agent will show you comps. These are |
| Get your own agent: A Buyers agent that will be | | | | homes in the area that are similar to the house you |
| faithful to you. | | | | are looking at and at what prices they sold and are |
| And it is a good idea to have an agent on your side | | | | for sale for. Using the lower priced comps you can |
| that is from a different company than the listing | | | | make a case to the sellers to lower their price. If you |
| agent. You want your agent to fight on your behalf, | | | | use the listing agent, she will never show you the |
| not be buddies with the listing agent. | | | | lower priced comps. Only the higher priced ones that |
| The listing agent might even tell you that it makes no | | | | make her listing look like a bargain. |
| difference and that you do not need another agent. | | | | In many cases, the agent at the open house is the |
| Do not believe it for a second. If you do not use | | | | listing agent, so be careful what information you |
| your own agent, the listing agent gets to keep the | | | | share at an open house. If it can, it will be used |
| entire commission paid by the sellers. If you use your | | | | against you. |
| own agent, the listing agent has to share the | | | | Tip #16 is our series on How To Save Money When |
| commission with your agent. And if you use your | | | | Buying A House is to get your own real estate agent. |
| own real estate agent he might share the | | | | Do not use the listing agent. This tip alone can save |
| commission with you. The listing agent almost never | | | | you thousands on the price of the home you pay. |