DOEBLER REALTY, INC.

Here at Doebler Realty we don't believe in fine print. Below is a compiled list of what we believe an agent should be, and do for their client. Agents are very important in the home finding process. Please read on to make sure you understand the complete list of benefits they can offer you.

"How Can a Buyer's Agent Help Me?"
Any agent usually owes these duties to their home buyer:

These responsibilities are defined by state laws, the Realtor Code of Ethics, general principles of agency and court decisions. That's the legal definition. But what does a Buyer's Agent actually do for the home buyer? Like other agents, a Buyer's Agent will show you available homes, point out the property's features, provide financing information and submit the offer to purchase. But that's not all. As your representative, a Buyer's Agent will share valuable and essential information with you if the agent knows it, such as:

nt for advice and assistance in setting your offering price and structuring the other terms of your offer. What's more, you'll have peace of mind knowing an advocate is working on your behalf to help you buy at the best possible terms.

"Who Needs a Buyer's Agent?" If you want to make sure you buy smart, you need a Buyer's Agent. If you're a first-time buyer, if you're relocating or unfamiliar with the local real estate market, if you're buying for investment and want negotiating help, or if you need to purchase anonymously, you'll be best served by a Buyer's Agent who puts your interests first. Also, if the real estate professional helping you find a home is a relative, close friend, a business associate or you previously were the agent's home-selling client, chances are you'd expect the agent to represent your interests and should establish a Buyer Agency relationship. Or, if you just want to get the best value in a property and an agent, you owe it to yourself to be the most knowledgeable buyer you can be.

"Can a Seller's Agent or Subagent Help Me Buy?" Without a Buyer's Agent, you're really on your own. Keep in mind, the Seller's Agent or subagent is actually working for the seller and is the seller's legal representative. Yes, a Seller's Agent or subagent can offer buyers some services, including a diligent search to find the right home, an explanation of available financing, calculation of monthly payments, estimation of settlement costs, presentation of your offer to buy. What a Seller's Agent cannot do is disclose information not in the best interest of the seller such as an opinion of the home's real value or what price and terms the seller would accept. By law, the Seller's Agent or subagent must negotiate on behalf of the seller and may not withhold from the seller information that could strengthen their bargaining position. That means you, as a buyer, should be careful not to disclose to the Seller's Agent or subagent any financial or personal information that could be used against you.

"What Will a Buyer's Agent Cost Me?" Not a penny. The seller pays your fee through the commission their agent shares with your agent. Perhaps the right question is, "What will it cost me if I don't use a Buyer's Agent?" Purchasing a home without representation is possibly the biggest financial mistake you can make. A Buyer's Agent can guide you each step of the way to prevent costly errors. Failure to find out about defects in the property or the actual value of the property can, of course, be an expensive mistake. And failure to negotiate a contract that works for you can cost you plenty. With a Buyer's Agent, you can ask for and receive advice and assistance in selecting the best property and determining an offering price.

"What Is a Dual Broker?" If your Buyer's Agent locates a home you wish to buy from his own agency ("in house"), the Seller's Agent and your Buyer's Agent must both revert to a Dual Agents, in order to assure that buyer and seller are treated fairly and equally. Both agents are required to provide complete disclosure, due diligence, and the care and accountability that they would always provide. But neither agent may disclose personal information (like how much a buyer would be willing to pay or how low a seller would be willing to sell) to the other.

The Bottom Line. If you want an agent to fully represent your best interests, if you want help evaluating a property, if you want someone to negotiate to get you the best price and the best terms, if you want to purchase a home in what's becoming the most popular way to buy, you'll want to enlist the aid of a Buyer's Agent.

Agency Relationship: agreement between an agent and a client in which the agent acts in the client's best interests in a real estate transaction; also, "Brokerage Relationship."

Buyer's Agent: acts exclusively on behalf of the buyer; also, "Buyer's Broker."

Listing Agent: person acting on behalf of the seller; the agent who "lists" the home for sale; also "Seller's Agent."

Client: the buyer represented by a Buyer's Agent or the seller represented by a Seller's Agent; also, the "Principal."

Customer: a buyer who works with a Seller's Agent is considered a "customer" rather than a "client" of the Seller's Agent because they have not entered into an agency relationship. Buyer has no representation.

Disclosed Dual Agency: Occurs when one brokerage company represents both the buyer and the seller. In some states, certain modifications may be allowed by law.

Subagent: agent often from another company other than the listing company working with the home buyer but who legally represents the seller.