I had put our friends in touch with an agent at the Landings real estate office, and they were quite complimentary about the work he had done for
If you want the agent to represent your interests as the buyer, get it in writing.
Assume you wander into an open house and meet the agent who is showing the house. She shows you around and asks what kind of home you are looking for. She offers to show you other houses that might fill the bill. You like her and for the next few days she lines up a dozen homes for you to look at. But, eventually, you decide you want to make an offer on that first home you wandered into. Understand that your agent represents the seller of that home. Some states might permit her to be a "dual agent" -- that is, to represent both you and the seller -- in which case she is prevented from sharing any personal information about you with the seller. But, naturally, her first obligation will likely be to the seller.
If you ask an agent to help you find a home, it is always best to ask for a "buyer's agreement." (Many agents will offer this without you asking as happened with a piece of property my wife and I purchased in South Carolina.) This agreement binds the agent to represent your interests, even if the agent's firm secured the listing of a home for which you are considering making an
If the agent has the buyer's best interests at heart, the client should return the favor.
Although a buyer's agreement might seem restrictive, it is fair to look at the issue from the real estate agent's point of view. Most of them invest a lot of time searching MLS listings in behalf of their clients, talking with other agents, making phone calls, arranging house visits and conducting other kinds of research. If their client, three weeks into the process, should wander into an open house on their own, the agent, who has worked so hard in their behalf, could get cut out of the deal. All their work would go for naught.
It seems only fair that if the agent has the client's best interest at heart, the client should return the favor. Yes, you give up a little flexibility but you gain a representative who will prosecute your interests. A buyer's agreement protects both parties, and if an agent refuses your request for such an agreement, or insists you sign a too-restrictive one, you should take your business elsewhere.
