From time to time, we hear a buyer utter the question: "Why do I need my own agent? Why shouldn't I just use the agent that is selling the house?" We asked one of our team members, Marilynn Midgett to ponder this question and here is her response:

When I hear a buyer asks, "Why do I need an agent?" I start to reminisce back to the mid 80's when I made my first home purchase. At that time unlicensed, with a lack of knowledge, and a 1st time homebuyer, I dove right in and made a lot of bad decisions on my own. In the 80's, one did not have the option of Buyer Representation. I muddled my way through the whole buying process, negotiating on my own and taking the advice of anyone that would offer any. After the closing I felt a sense of resentment. I thought that the agent that I was working with was working for me. To the contrary, he was of course working in the seller's best interest and I felt betrayed.

By way of implication, a lot of Buyers had felt the same way. Buyers like myself, sometimes got unexpected and not well-received surprises throughout the buying process as well as at the closing table. Buyers felt deception and confusion. In 1994, the North Carolina Real Estate Commission, in an effort to give buyers equal representation, created standards that would give buyers the rights and representation they needed.

Buyers now have an opportunity to seek exclusive representation. You have the right to choose and agent that will work for you and ONLY you. If you are interested in having an agent represent only YOUR interests, it is a wise decision for a buyer to choose to have exclusive buyer agency. Without a professional real estate agent working for you and only you, your interests and needs may not be served.

All agents owe both parties to the transaction reasonable skill, care and diligence, but you need more that that. Once you have chosen an agent to represent you exclusively, you will get someone working to help you find the perfect home for you AND make sure your interests are served in ALL parts of the transaction. You will get more than you even realize you need and learn more than you realize you need to know. See if you know the answers to these questions:

• Who pays the Buyer Agent's commission?
• What happens after I make an offer to purchase a home?
  
• Do I have to get a pest inspection?
  
• What is the Customary Deposit?
  
• Do I need to have a home inspection? If so who pays for it and when do we do it?
  
• Does the deed convey to me automatically in the closing office?
  
• Will I need legal counsel?
  
• What kind of Title should I ask for?
  
• Why do I need a survey and will the seller pay for it?
  
• When do we get the appraisal and does the seller provide that?
  
• What is meant by origination fee?
  
• How will my property taxes be determined?

If you are considering buying a home and you don't know all the answers to these questions, you should contact us. Remember that our services are always FREE to the buyer. Allow us to explain how we can become a team. We promise to give you 100% of our abilities, expertise, skills and resources to help you find the home just right for you. The home where your children will grow, your flowers will bloom, your grandchildren will play, and where memories are made. Equally important, help you make your investment decision one well made.