Why Use an Experienced Buyer Agent When Purchasing a Home?

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial transactions most people make during their lives, so it’s important to do it right – and that means tapping into the expertise of someone trained in the field: A Buyer Agent.
You wouldn’t do your own dentistry or try to remove your own appendix; you’d turn to someone specially trained to do the job. The same holds true for a real estate transaction: you want to be able to rely on someone with knowledge and skills you don’t have to ensure the result is a
positive one. A Buyer Agent is your real estate “surgeon,” guiding you through the proper steps to purchasing the property you want with no unpleasant side effects.
Of course, there are a lot of Buyer Agents in the marketplace, and you want a skilled one. But what, exactly, does that mean? Here’s what a good Buyer Agent will provide:
 Quick access to the MLS system. A Buyer Agent sees the listings posted on the Multiple Listing System (MLS) before they arrive in your inbox. They can stay ahead of the game and identify those properties that require quick action so you don’t lose out on a dream home. In a hot market, time matters.
 A proactive approach. A good Buyer Agent will be out knocking on doors in desirable neighbourhoods, looking for opportunities that may not have appeared on MLS yet. They can alert prospective sellers that there are interested buyers just waiting for an opportunity to invest in the property. As the saying goes, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”
 Negotiating skills. Buyer Agents negotiate for a living. Can you say the same? They know your needs and your limits, and they are skilled at assessing the seller’s perspective, too. Add to that their knowledge about the selling landscape in your market and you have an advocate who can help you reach your ultimate goal: obtaining your dream property while negotiating a deal that both parties view as a win-win situation.
 The big picture. Skilled Buyer Agents know their customers’ needs, wants and goals, both long- and short-term. While you may get excited by a property with all the bells and whistles, it’s the agent’s job to keep a level head and remind you that, for example, the property won’t appreciate enough during the three years you plan to keep it for you to pay the asking price. They aren’t swayed by the emotion and excitement you may feel for a property that doesn’t meet your needs. Consider your agent as a valuable sober second thought.
 Knowledge of the landscape. Would you want someone from Halifax to sell you a home in Vancouver? It’s unlikely. You want a Buyer Agent who knows and understands the local marketplace. They are familiar with the neighbourhoods, the school system and the public transit options. They can recommend a good family doctor and a great sushi restaurant, or point you to a great cycling path or a spacious park. They speak from experience.
 Trusted feet on the ground. If you’re buying an investment property from a distance, you want a Buyer Agent who will be your eyes and ears. They’ll know what you’re seeking and they’ll have the judgment to determine if a property meets your needs. You can surf the Internet all day, but there is nothing like having someone available to view the property in person and decide whether there are concerns that don’t show up online.
 An understanding of new builds. If you’re buying directly from a builder, there are details you may overlook or intricacies that escape you. A skilled Buyer Agent knows how the purchase of a new home differs from choosing an existing property, so he/she will ask the right questions and defend your interests.
 Proper packaging. In a competitive market, a good Buyer Agent will know how to get your offer to the front of the line so it will be noticed. It requires someone who is well- connected and has good working relationships with other agents and someone who knows what makes a good offer.
 Contracts done correctly. When you use a Buyer Agent, you can be confident that the contract and paperwork you sign will protect you from any problems that might arise. They know real estate contracts backward and forward and know which clauses are essential to a contract to ensure that you aren’t surprised by hidden issues or expenses. Don’t leave the details of such a purchase to amateurs, like yourself. As mortgage brokers, we at the Wilson Team have worked with numerous agents, both skilled and not-so-skilled. We want to match you with the cream of the crop. Are you willing to do what it takes and set up the plan in order to get the property on? Are you willing to do the work you put yourself in front of everyone else? If so, you might be the right fit for us. Please start with filling out this questionnaire and we will have one of our experts reach out to you.