Tips to Help Homebuyers Choose an Expert Buyer’s Agent in the Greater Washington, DC Metro Area

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Questions in Advance

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Does it Cost More to Use an EBA or True Exclusive Buyer’s Agent?

Consider Asking this Question.

At the Buyer’s Edge Real Estate Company in the Washington, DC Metro Region, our Exclusive Buyer’s Agents think it’s important for homebuyers to do all their homework before they hire a Buyer’s Agent to represent and protect their best interests throughout the entire home buying process. Today, Realtors are often asked these common questions by homebuyers. “Should I hire a buyer’s agent?” “Do I need a Buyer’s Agent to buy a home?” These questions are asked knowing that buying a home in the DMV will be one of the largest and most important purchases in their lives.

So the answer to these questions is quite straightforward - Yes! Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, buying your third home, downsizing, in the market for luxury real estate, or a business mogul with vast experience in highly complex negotiation strategies, you’ll still need an expert buyer’s agent on your side to protect your best interests. An experienced real estate exclusive buyers agent will guide and support you through the complex, nuanced, and ever-changing home buying process.

Start here with just a few interview questions that homebuyers might want to consider asking while doing their research.

Homebuyer Help - Tips to Asking the Right Questions to
Find an Expert Buyer’s Agent in the DMV

1. What is an Exclusive Buyer’s Agent (EBA), and how do they differ from a Designated Buyer’s Agent in a traditional real estate company? Are there any EBAs in my area?
Do you or your broker take real estate listings or work for sellers?

Here are a couple of good resources to find Exclusive Buyer’s Agents in the DMV. NAEBA.org, BuyersAgent.com (our website), globella.com, and buyersbrokersonly.com are packed with excellent homebuyer help.

2. How does your real estate company represent buyers and sellers on the same company real estate listing? How will my relationship change with my buyer’s agent if this happens? Will I need to put that change in our fiduciary relationship into writing? When would this occur?

3. Do I have to sign a contract with my Buyer’s Agent? What are your fees? How do I get out of the contract if I’m not satisfied with my Realtor’s services?

4. Must I use an inspector, lender, title attorney, or any other service provider that you or your broker recommends? Will I feel pressure to use them?

5. My family or friend has recommended a Buyer’s Agent, should I still interview 3 Realtors?

Yes!

6. During the home buying process, how many other Realtors on your team or in your company will I be working with?

7. Should I “Google” my real estate agent and the real estate company they are affiliated with?

Yes!! Google “Buyers Agent DC,” “Buyers Agent VA,” and “Buyers Agent MD”

8. What are some of the professional qualifications I should look for from my Exclusive Buyers Agent in VA, DC, and MD?

We identified some of those qualifications in a previous blog.
Here are some of the essential skills that a top-rated Buyer’s Agent should have:

  • They must have a pulse on the Nation’s Capital Region’s current real estate market – not just a few niche neighborhoods

  • Hard-nosed negotiator (Ask them for examples.)

  • Ability to honestly evaluate the value of a property

  • In multiple bidding wars, advise their buyer on how to prepare the best offer to win

  • Conversely, in multiple bidding wars, when to advise their buyer that escalating the price of a property is no longer in their best interest.

  • Full-time Realtor

  • Tech-savvy

  • Easily accessible and good communication skills

  • They hold their real estate license in all the jurisdictions you want to house hunt in.

  • When are they available to talk, discuss real estate issues, and show properties?

  • What is their preferred method of communication?

9. Past Homebuyer Client Testimonials are Important to Read - Ask for Them

“Last but not least, don’t forget to ask this one top question before you hire your Buyer’s Agent, “May I read or get recommendations from past homebuyer/clients?” Though this step may take some additional time, a good place to start in this process is to take a look at Google, Facebook, or Instagram. Also, the Realtor’s and the real estate company’s websites normally have reviews readily available.

But, sometimes, it’s best to get recommendations straight from the source. “May I contact and speak directly with a past client?” Though this may not always be possible due to privacy issues, it may be well worth exploring with your top picks.

The choice is yours to make, take your time, get educated, and then enjoy the exciting ride. Buying a home is a joyful journey!

“Hello Potential Buyer’s Edge clients!

I have known about the Buyer’s Edge for more than 20 years! Why? Because I do a national column on real estate for newspapers across the U.S. and have interviewed Steve Carpenter-Israel many times! The depth of his knowledge has always impressed me. He is truly a very committed consumer advocate with a deep knowledge of real estate markets. So when my son recently decided to purchase a Washington area condo, I turned immediately to Steve to represent him in the search and purchase!

What sets Steve and his colleagues apart from the multitude of agents across the area is that he is totally dedicated to the buyers’ interests. He takes an in-depth interest in the buyers’ priorities and then uses the best technology to search for the available properties in the desired area. Once the buyers have developed a short list of finalist properties, he uses his incisive analytical tools to compare and contrast potential options. This analysis covers both the relative value of the property — compared with comparable sales — and the quality of the structure of the home itself. At the conclusion of this process, the buyers can be certain that they have made the best possible selection and have not overpaid.

In the case of my son, Steve’s work resulted in a very positive outcome. He and his partner are thrilled with the condo they selected in NW Washington and they are certain the price they paid was fair and that the terms of the transaction best served their interests.

In summary, Steve and his colleagues at the Buyer’s Edge are nothing short of brilliant! I have no hesitation to recommend them very highly.”

— Ellen J. Martin - Nationally Syndicated Real Estate and Financial Columnist

 

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