That's right, money, your money. a buyer's agent saves you money. Their job is to represent you and protect you. Their fiduciary responsibility is to YOU. I love the word agent, because if people fully understand what an agent is they can grasp that having an agent represent them is the best thing they can do for themselves. The agent does not represent themself, they put their client's interests before their own. It is not about selling a house, it is about selling you a home and to make sure it is the right home for you.
Don't fight your agent, they want the best for you. Give your agent feedback on what you like and what you do not when you visit a home. When they ask if you want to buy this house, they are not being pushy, it is their job. if they never ask if you are ready they will never know when to write the agreement for you.
Listen to their advice, but don't turn your brain off, make the decision yourself. Their job description is to represent you and to bring your decisions and choices to settlement. A good agent will tell you when you should not buy a home even when you are gung-ho about it. They have experience, they do this every day, well they should do, if your agent is not a full time agent, find a new agent who is. Listen to their reasoning why this house may not be the right one, it just may have a solid foundation that you can build on to get to your dream home.
Good buyer's agents often know the listing agent, if it is a full time experienced agent, and have built good relationships so that negotiations do not become acrimonious. Their advice on negotiations is given to help you achieve the best result. There are many parts to an agreement of sale, not just the price, as a buyer do not get hung up on the price alone.
Your agent deals with agreements often, they know mortgage brokers and want to make sure your deal is good and goes to settlement. They do not want you finding out at the settlement table that the mortgage broker you chose is charging you extra fees or not honoring the rate. Listen to their advice for they know who is making settlement and who is not. That rate that is too good to believe, it probably is and won't turn up at settlement or come with some cousins called fees that were not mentioned. Let your agent know what you are doing, they are there to help you buy a home.
So when you first meet an agent, ask if they do this full-time, get them to explain how they are going to represent you, and when they ask you to sign a buyers agency contract, a commitment to them do it, and honor it. Most good agents will void that contract if you are not gelling together, or refer you to someone else who might be better able to help you. Because as I have said our job is to help you buy a home and that is what we want to do.
Nick... some sound advice. The average consumer needs to read this and understand that they need a professional to help them with their transaction.
Nick and Judy,
Some people just don't get this like they should, especially these days. An immoral listing agent will do anything they can to get the deal to go to the closing table...even act outside of the best interests of one of the two parties involved. The best deals have two agents involved.