Buyer's Agent - for Houston Real Estate

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We operate in a non-traditional manner when providing details on property listings. We don’t just give you a few properties to review, we can provide all available listings in any area sorted by subdivision and street. This is to ensure that you have every opportunity to find your "Dream Home" with all the features you desire.

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10 Questions Home Sellers Hope Buyers Never Ask
Chicago Tribune (12/19/98) P. 4-2 (Bruss, Robert)

There are many rules that home buyers can follow to make sure they are buying a decent home at a fair price. To be the most successful in buying a home, buyers need to ask a number of questions. They first should find out why the owner is selling, which could include a job relocation or a sudden change in lifestyle. Although this question will often simply ease the curiosity of the buyer, it can also be important if the home is close to foreclosure. Buyers should also ask how much the seller paid for the home in order to see how much of a profit the seller will make. This could help the buyer negotiate a lower price. Similarly, buyers should ask the seller how they determined the asking price. They can then compare the figure to a comparative market analysis of local homes. There is also the possibility of problems in or around the home that can affect the future living conditions of the home. Thus buyers should ask questions about any current or past defects in the home, any future developments around the home, such as a new freeway, the quality of local public schools, and any problems with noisy neighbors or local crime. There are also personal questions buyers can ask, such as what the owner likes and doesn't like about the home, and what the owner would change about the home if they were buying it. The seller may be reluctant to answer some of these questions, but they will help the buyer know that they are purchasing a quality home.

Any Buyer Can Find a Good Deal, With Help
Washington Post--Homes (10/23/98) P. 1

Home buyers will sometimes delay purchasing a home for a number of reasons, including fluctuating interest rates, the complicated process, fear of making a bad decision, and the fear of paying too much for a home. Unfortunately, this delay often hurts home buyers because it means missed opportunities as well as spending money on rent when it could be used for a mortgage payment. In order to make sure they buy the right home at the right price, one of the best things buyers can do is hire a Realtor. Realtors can do research and make sure the buyer is purchasing the home they want at a fair price. Before hiring a Realtor, buyers should consider a few issues themselves. First, they should determine what their needs are in a home, such as bedrooms, space for children, and a big backyard. This will get buyers started in finding the right home for them. Buyers should also consider any necessary improvements. Unless they want to make changes themselves, it is best for buyers to look for homes already in good condition. Homes with certain features are also important. Sometimes an extra bedroom is not only more appealing to the home buyer, but it can attract a higher price when it comes time to sell the home. The location of the house is another major issue. Buyers should study the neighborhood as well as the local schools and services. Finally, buyers should consider not only the cost of the home, but other expenses as well, such as maintenance and utilities.

Buyer Agents Gain Favor in Seller's Market
Washington Times--Home Guide (06/26/98) P. F1 (Hepner, Ruth)

With today's hot real estate market, buyer agents are becoming significant figures in transactions. Most real estate agents say that, when the market is hot, buyers need an agent for a number of reasons. Many properties will be overpriced by home sellers looking for a large profit, and an agent can help negotiate the price. In addition, buyers need representation so they don't agree to a deal that looks appealing but is actually more beneficial to the seller or the listing agent. Previously, real estate agents represented only home sellers, even though they were showing the home to buyers, because the seller was paying their commission. But as consumers started to realize that they needed agents, many states passed laws requiring buyer representation. Most agents say that buyer representation has actually been around for a while, but the laws make it official. The trend is growing today, as buyer agents are present in almost 90 percent of all transactions, according to Scott Hardy of Buyer's Resource Advantage Real Estate. Some agents only represent buyers, and others work for dual representation agencies, depending on the preference of the agent. 

In Today's Home Sale Market, Do You Need a 'Buyer's Agent'?
Chicago Tribune (05/23/98) P. 2-4C (Bruss, Robert)

Columnist Robert Bruss reports that today's strong home buying market, characterized by low interest rates and a healthy economy, is also a highly competitive market. Because of this, he maintains that home buyers need to make sure they are represented fairly. To this end, Bruss recommends hiring a buyer's agent, whose job it is to sort through the market. An agent who exclusively represents the buyer can find and show homes through other agents and may also have access to homes that haven't yet been listed. However, varying state laws make it difficult to determine who the agent actually represents. There are some brokerages that employ exclusive buyer agents, but it is more common to find agencies with buyer and seller agents. Bruss writes that the true buyer's agent represents only the home buyer. He further advises buyers not to be shy when asking "whom your agent really represents."