5 Reasons to Hire an Exclusive Buyer's Agent
When buying a home in San Diego, not all REALTORS® are cut from the same cloth.
You have a choice in what type of real estate agent you work with, and I believe your choice will have an effect on every phase of your home-buying experience!
That’s why it’s critical to understand the type of agent you’re working with — and the benefits (or downsides) of working with them — before you sign an agreement or start looking at homes together.
What is an "Exclusive Buyer Agent"?
Exclusive Buyer Agents (or EBA’s) are home-buying experts who specialize in representing buyers only and can represent you in purchasing any home. EBAs never accept listings or represent sellers, which means that they work exclusively within the buyer’s best interests at every stage of the home buying process.
When a brokerage represents both buyers and sellers, there is a much higher risk for clients to experience a dual agency conflict of interest — where the agency is representing both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction.
Read Also: What is Dual Agency, and Why is it Bad for Homebuyers?
Buyer Agent vs. Exclusive Buyer Agent:
While the titles are oftentimes mistaken as the same, there is one major difference between buyer agents and exclusive buyer agents:
Buyer's Agents:
These agents represent home buyers at least part of the time, but they work for a company that ALSO represents sellers. Homebuyers that work with buyer’s agents run the risk of being caught in a dual agency conflict.
Exclusive Buyer's Agents:
As an exclusive buyer’s agent, I never represent sellers. All of Globella’s clients are only buyers, and I’ve built my expertise around representing them in the ways they need most.
*Both the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA) declare that a real estate agent should not use the term "exclusive buyer agent" unless that agent works for a company that specializes in representing homebuyers only.
5 Reasons to Hire an Exclusive Buyer's Agent
1) My job is to help you buy a home, not sell you one
Many San Diego real estate agents work AS IF their only job is to sell you a house. In other words, everything they do is geared towards getting you to make a buying decision, especially if it’s one of their own listings (over-the-top sales tactics, quick offers, minimizing concerns about repairs, etc.).
I've found that home buyers don’t want (or need) someone to sell them a house or condo. What they do need, however, is someone to guide them through the intense process of buying a home. Therein lies the difference.
As an exclusive buyer's agent, I never have any listings to sell you, so I don’t have the same self-serving incentives that seller’s agents have for you to buy one house over another. My entire approach is centered around helping you find the right home at the right price.
2) I'm 100% on your side during negotiations
Exclusive Buyers Agents work to get buyers the best price and terms when they buy a home.
Since there's no risk of dual-agency conflict (representing both the buyer & seller) when you work with me as your Exclusive Buyer Agent, you have a home-buying expert who’s negotiating exclusively on your behalf.
This gives you an advantage as a home buyer.
3) My goal is to help you make a smart home-buying decision
You're not just buying a home... You're making one of the most important investments of your life.
Since I'm not incentivized to sell you any specific home over another, my role in the process is to help you buy "with your eyes wide open.”
In other words, you can always expect me to:
- Discuss the pros and cons of each home (including factors that may affect resale value)
- Help you avoid buying a home with a number of costly surprises
- Understand the current market conditions so you can buy at the right time
- Be incredibly detailed throughout your inspections and investigation period
The process of purchasing a home can be complex and emotional. But when you’re working with a broker who’s looking out for your best interests, you never have to wonder if you’re making the right choice.
4) I'm informing you about the marketplace before you write an offer
- How is the micro-neighborhood market behaving in general?
- What’s a fair price range for the home you want to buy?
- What contractual terms are common in this market?
- Which offer strategy best meets your goals for this home?
- Etc.
Since I'm not trying to sell you anything, there's no rush to find a home or make an offer that doesn’t feel well-informed. You set the pace. And if it’s just not the right time for you to buy, I will tell you as early in the process as possible (typically during our Buyer Strategy Session).
5) I'm obligated to look out for your best interests
Exclusive Buyers Agents like myself have a unique fiduciary duty to their clients that even traditional buyer’s agents do not have. And I’m obligated to disclose any information that impacts the buyer’s best interests, even if that information is detrimental to the seller or the sale.
Since I’m your teammate who’s always looking out for you at each stage of the process, you can expect a home-buying experience that’s honest, enjoyable, and always leads to what you’re looking for…
The perfect home at a great price.
An Exclusive Buyer's Broker You Can Trust
It goes without saying...
Finding a real estate agent you can trust is quite possibly the most important piece of the home buying puzzle. And that’s the biggest reason I’ve built Globella around you — the home buyer.
Any REALTOR® can say that they’re “trustworthy” and “on your side.” I’ve just made those promises REAL by removing the common conflicts of interest that could lead you to believe otherwise.
I'm not looking to sell you a home... I'm here to help you buy a home you'll love at a great price!