Most buyers don’t understand how the whole “agent thing” works. Some are afraid to call the agent because they don’t know how much he will charge them. When you are buying real estate you are holding yourself back if you don’t use a agent because they are free.

Here is how it works. When a seller wants to sell their home they call a real estate company to advertise and sell the property for them. For this example, lets say they agreed on a price of $3,000. If that agent is a realtor and is part of the Multiple Listing Service (almost all agents are) then he or she will place it on the computer for all agents to see. He will take $1,500 or half of the commission that he charged the seller and keep that portion when the property sells to cover advertising, profit, and expenses. The other half he will give to whatever agent brings in a buyer or sells the property. If he sells the property himself then the whole $3,000 is his.

It is important to know how agents work and know who represents who in a transaction. A listing agent will always represent the seller, and sometimes will represent the buyer and seller together, but never the buyer alone.

Since the cost of selling the property was negotiated with the seller at the beginning. The seller will pay the same amount regardless of who sells the property, So it is no cheaper to go to the listing agent directly.

The best thing to do is to find a agent that you like and is helpful and stick with them. Always let other agents know “up front” that you are working with a particular agent when calling on signs or visiting a open house or model home. You may be cautious to sign a blanket contract with an agent. If an agent introduces or shows you a property, especially one listed with a different agent, follow the “Golden Rule” and be sure to write the offer to purchase that property with that agent.

Most of my clients prefer to “cruise” a area without me at first so they can see how they like location, style, area, etc. before setting up appointment. That way they can do it on their own schedule and when they finally make a list of homes to see they are ones that they really want to see! I can email the list of homes right to your computer, fast & easy!

I look forward to working with you!

R. Scott Stone
Principal Broker