After I finish a long day of real estate, I am usually reading late into the evening. What kinds of books and articles do I like to read? Why, anything having to do with real estate, of course.
One of my top two favorite real estate blogs is BloodhoundBlog.com. I found this post the other day and thought about how well written it was. I was thinking about writing a post along similar lines; then, when I got to the bottom of the post the author, Greg Swann, gave permission to re-post. So that is what I am doing, because I couldn't have said it any better myself.
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This from Greg Swann's Arizona Republic real estate column (permanent link):
Here’s an intriguing question: Given that it’s so easy to search for homes on the internet, why do you need a buyer’s agent?
Face it, if you use the MLS search tool on my web site, you’re seeing exactly the same listings I see. And you know better than I ever could what you like and what you don’t like.
By now, the home search process is at best a partnership between the agent and the buyer. In some cases the buyer and I will work together to perfect our search criteria. But many buyers simply search the available inventory on their own, emailing me the MLS numbers of the homes they want to see.
So why do those buyers need a buyer’s agent?
Realtors hoarded the MLS data for so long that even they came to believe it was the source of their value to buyers. But this is very far from the truth.
You don’t need me to search for listings, although I’m happy to do that. And you don’t need me to open lock-boxes. You need a buyer’s agent to guide you through what is in fact an arcane and perilous process — potentially a financial disaster. You might not need me to find your next home, but you need me to make sure that you get it — or that you pass on it, if that is what is truly in your best interests.
A skilled buyer’s agent will write the kind of purchase contract that will prove surprising to you at every turn, with every term and condition tailored to achieve your best advantage. Your agent will supervise the inspection process and negotiate the optimal solution to the repair issues. Your agent will be prepared for every pitfall in the escrow process.
If you bought and sold houses every day, you could do all these things yourself. It’s because you don’t — and because the seller and the listing agent are looking to take advantage of your naivete at every turn — that you need a skilled buyer’s agent as your steadfast champion in the home-buying process.
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You can reach me at 206-595-5866, or e-mail me: LisaBosques@PNWRealty.com
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I am an Associate Broker and Marketing Specialist with Prudential Northwest Realty Associates. I specialize in homes located in the Burien/North Highline/West Seattle area, and I am here to serve all of your Real Estate needs.
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