I’ve lost track of the number of times I was asked this question. So someone said, why don’t you put it in writing and answer all their questions?
“Clive, as a Buyer’s Agent, what do you do?”
My quick answer is, “I help people buy real estate property.”
They usually say, “So you are a real estate agent and you sell real estate for property owners.”
No. I am not a real estate agent and that’s the opposite of what I do.
They are surprised when I say “No”. A buyer’s agent is best described as a buyer’s advocate. Instead of selling properties, I help buyers buy the right property. I support them in the process of selection, negotiations, up to the settlement. I am the third party that they turn to for advice and direction in the total process. But it is much more complex than that.
The Process
If you are the buyer, first, I get to know you. I get to learn about your lifestyle and how that relates to the things you would like in your new home. I need to know your expectations so I can assess how I can help you better. If I am not confident that I will be able to help you, I will connect you with the people who can best help you.
The Property Brief
We call the next step The Property Brief. This is where I discover the top priorities like the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, car spaces, area preferences, accessibility to schools, recreation areas, and mode of transportations. These are the things that are non-negotiable in the final decision-making.
Research and Consultation
Once appointed, we move on to Research and Consultation. I will be giving you a good range of properties that fit the brief we have discussed. This gives you a good understanding of which options come close to your requirements and budget. After checking these properties online, you will give your feedback regarding which features you like and dislike. As the buyer’s agent, I will be the one to do all the research and provide you with all the information. Most properties we provide are not even officially in the market yet. So we have the advantage of being the first one to look at them.
No need for buyers to spend time searching for possible properties. With my 45 years of experience, I know who can provide ample information on the properties on and off-market. This is something that buyers do not have access to – the buyer’s agents’ advantage.
Evaluation and Communication
Then come the Evaluation and Communication. This is when we shortlist the property options. For convenience, we schedule a private viewing of the properties. Unlike open houses, this will give us enough time to see the advantages and disadvantages of the home. You will have the time to feel the atmosphere and ambiance of the home. Buyers often want to spend time in a room which is often not possible in open houses. In open houses, buyers get to look at rooms with other people in the same area. Also, they feel a bit uncomfortable with salespersons trying to qualify them as they look around.
Usually, the final selection by the buyers is totally different from the original brief. But that is the joy of having this selection process. Buyers get to explore the properties further and make a decision based on their actual visit.
Offer and Acceptance
Once the decision is made, it’s time to do the due diligence of preparing the offer and acceptance. A search of the title often shows many areas to beware of, that often the inexperienced buyer will often overlook. I need to make sure that we know about any easements, covenants, work uncompleted, or not council-approved areas on the property. There are many areas that need to be checked depending on the zoning, age of the home, water and sewerage, and council requirements.
When the offer is written, it is crucial to protect the buyer with a finance clause and the timing of approval. This also gives confidence to the seller that our offer is genuine, and the buyer will perform. This will make the difference in getting my offer accepted against other offers that may be in competition. I will always recommend a structural and termite report from professional companies that I can trust. If it’s a Strata titled property, there is information that must be obtained prior to writing the offer to ensure everything is in order.
A Buyer’s Agent’s Other Tasks
I will be bidding for the buyer if the property is listed for an auction sale. Of course, if you want to bid yourself, you are most welcome. I find that there is an art to being successful in bidding as I’ve been an auctioneer for many years myself.
If the property is a private sale, I will handle the negotiations for you and be in close communication with the sales agent until we have a result.
Once we have been successful in purchasing, I follow the sale process right through to the final inspection to ensure that everything is in working order. Then, I follow right through to settlement.
Representing the Buyer
Because I am paid by the buyer, I am fully committed to taking the stress, time, and emotion out of buying a property. Whether it’s for your dream home or an investment property, I will make sure that the buying process is smooth. In short, I represent the buyer.
While the real estate agent, who is paid by the seller, is committed both morally and legally to act at all times in the seller’s interest.
So, what I ACTUALLY do, I take the stress, time, and emotion out of buying property and I represent YOU.
Hopefully, in reading this you have a sense of what I do.
Then people ask me…
Why do I act as a Buyer’s Agent instead of a Real Estate Agent?
After many years as a real estate agent, I’ve employed and trained salespeople not only how to sell real estate, but how to do it ethically and maintain a high standard of integrity. Many salespeople who did not have that benefit of good training find it very hard to look after buyers.
As a result, I registered Buying Perth Real Estate in 2017 to help buyers purchase with confidence. I do not want buyers to feel that they have made the wrong decision, because of emotion, time restraints, or pressure from a salesperson. I get excited and very satisfied when I’m chosen to help buyers through the process of Selecting, Negotiating, working through the due diligence to reach a positive outcome when buying either their dream home or investment property.
As a buyer’s agent, I work hard to produce amazing life-changing outcomes for my buyers, and that gives me great confirmation and satisfaction. This is why I chose the concentrate on being one of the most experienced Buyer’s Agents serving the Perth Buying public.
Do you need to buy a home soon? Get a free consultation from Buying Perth Real Estate today.