A buyer’s agent represents you, the buyer, not the seller.

For most of us, buying a home is the biggest single investment we’re likely to make – we are only likely to do it maybe once or twice in a lifetime. The process is, by nature, filled with checks and balances – and many complex details. Traditionally, agents were legally obligated to protect the interests of the home seller. Today preferences are changing. One of these changes is that more homebuyers are choosing to have their own real estate agent, known as a buyer's agent, to legally represent them

A buyer’s agent represents you, the buyer, not the seller, and has full fiduciary duties, including loyalty to you. By definition, the buyer’s agent has your best interests in mind throughout the transaction. The percentage of homebuyers with buyer representation has grown significantly in the past decade. According to a recent National Association of Realtors® survey, nearly half (46%) of home buyers used the services of a buyer’s agent last year, and four out of every five buyer’s agent agreements were in writing.

The benefits of buyer representation is the dedication of a buyer’s agent to the home buyer. The buyer’s agent and homebuyer establish a mutual agreement, known as a buyer agency agreement, that will entitle the homebuyer to, but is not limited by:

• Loyalty The real estate agent must act in the best interest of the buyer.
• Disclosure All material facts such as relationships between agent and other parties, existence of other offers, status of earnest money, seller’s financial condition, property’s true worth, commission split with other brokers, and legal effect of important contract provisions. 
• Confidentiality Any discussions, facts, or information that should not be revealed to others but does not include responsibility of fairness and honesty in dealings with all parties.
• Accounting in dealings Reporting of where any money placed in the hands of the broker is kept.
• Reasonable Skill and Care Arriving at a reasonable purchase price and advising the buyer of such, affirmatively discovering material facts and disclosing them to the buyer, investigating the material facts related to the sale. With a buyer agency, the interests of the homebuyer will be represented in the purchase of the home. This scenario is different from a typical transaction where the buyer is not technically represented.

There are other advantages which I have laid out below:

1. Focusing Your Home Search

Based on your needs and wants for your new home (price range, neighborhood, # of bedrooms, amenities, etc.) which I discover during my Buyer Consultation and throughout the process, I will aid in focusing your home search to ensure you see the properties that would actually work for you as soon as they hit the market. Its a tough market right now and you will need to have the latest information on new listings as soon as possible.

There are many listings in the Kamloops area, with more coming on the market daily – I do the work of weeding through all of those properties for you. This saves a huge amount of time and headache for buyers. Throughout the house hunting process, your needs or wants may change – and your search will be adjusted accordingly so we are sure to find the perfect home for you.

2. Knowing the Neighborhoods & Local Markets

The Kamloops area is made up of many neighborhoods, each with their own unique charms, amenities and character. Especially if you are new to the area or unsure what each neighborhood may offer, it’s a great thing to have a knowledgeable realtor working on your side.

You can describe the type of atmosphere (family home, acreage, downtown, etc.) and amenities you are looking for and I will share knowledge with you about what areas may meet your needs. I can also guide you, based on market research, what type and size of property you can find within your budget in each area.

3. Pricing, Market Conditions & Advice on Offers

Placing an offer is challenging for many buyers who may not have any idea of the market value of a particular property. Before you place an offer, I will provide comparable property sales statistics and discuss pricing options with you so you are confident and know that you are not over-paying.

I will also provide guidance in how to make your offer more appealing to a seller and/or meeting your specific needs – this includes subjects, help with evaluating inspections, possession dates, and numerous other elements that go into an offer.

4. Negotiating & Achieving Closing

Once you place an offer, I’m on your side serving you with my negotiation skills to work out a deal on a property that will meet your requirements and comfort level. To be a good negotiator it’s important to know proper pricing, market data, and also a bit of psychology to win over sellers and their agents while maintaining fairness to all parties involved.

Purchasing a home does not end with an accepted offer (when you and the seller agree what the terms of the purchase will be). During the “accepted offer" period, there may be many hurdles to jump over before we reach the finish line of possession of your new home – these may include: home inspection, strata documents review, appraisal, title issues, and finalizing buyer’s loans. Each of these contingencies and reviews involves deadlines and negotiating, each of which requires great attention. There is quite a lot that an inexperienced or inattentive agent could cause to go awry. With me, you can feel confident that I‘m with you every step of the way and know my stuff.

5. Education & Experience

Just getting a real estate license does not make someone a good realtor (even though there is a lot of training, time and money that goes into that process).

To be a knowledgeable and capable realtor who can achieve the best for your clients, you must continually learn and develop your skills, take extensive continuing education courses on all aspects of real estate from fair housing guidelines to local law, do continual market research on the local housing market, maintain licenses in all jurisdictions in which you hold a license, stay up-to-date on the dozens and dozens of real estate forms and laws in each jurisdiction, and learn through doing by being actively involved in numerous deals representing both buyers and sellers.

You’ve also got to have great attention to detail when it comes to paperwork and deadlines as well as pay great personal attention to your clients, ensuring that you are responsive and available when they need you. I take my job as your realtor seriously and you can rest assured that I know my responsibilities to you and make sure I am highly educated in all facets of local real estate to serve your needs exceptionally.

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