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