Did you know that you have a CHOICE to become a BUYER CLIENT or a BUYER CUSTOMER in a real estate transaction when you deal with real estate agents?

As a BUYER CUSTOMER, you are entitled to:

(1) Honesty
-     Real estate agents cannot make incorrect or false information. All laws and regulations pertaining to the transaction must be followed.
-     Real estate agents are required to treat you honestly and fairly.

(2) Accounting
-     Real estate agents must report any money received and paid out and safeguard it on behalf of a buyer customer.

(3) Reasonable Skill
-      Real estate agents must provide reasonable competency including writing a purchase contract at your instruction for you as a buyer customer.
-      Real estate agents can also show you properties without representing you as well as helping you obtain financing for the property.

(4) Disclosure
-     Real estate agents must provide you full disclosure and material fact about the properties you inquire. The agents must also disclose whom s/he represents.
-     Real estate agents must explain the difference between a buyer client and buyer customer so that you (the consumer) can become an informed consumer and to protect your own interests.

As a BUYER CLIENT, you are entitled to:

(1) All the above from BUYER CUSTOMER and;

(2) NEEDS ASSESSMENT
-     Your real estate agent that represents you pays full attention to your current lifestyle/ housing needs, financing situation, motivation and timing.
-     Your agent may also ask relevant questions regarding your needs based on your lifestyle, health, transportation, school or other lifestyle needs that you may require.
-     For the rest of your real estate agent's life, the information that you shared will be remain confidential. Thus, you can freely talk without harming your negotiation position.

(3) PROPERTY SELECTION
-     Use available resources to find the BEST property for you, including those not published on the MLS system.
-     Notify you of new listings before they are placed on the MLS.
-     Help you compare competing properties and provide you with facts and advice to help make an objective evaluation of the property.
-     Provide you with a comparative market analysis as well as educating you about your market (supply & demand).

(4) NEGOTIATIONS
-     Your real estate agent will counsel you on the price, provide negotiating strategy that will help strengthen your bargaining position.
-     Your real estate agent can negotiate the best contract for you.
-     Your real estate agent also suggests protective clauses in the contract to safeguard your interests.
-     During that time, your agent may still be on the lookout to make sure that no other "better" property fits your needs during negotiation.

(5) FINANCING
-     With understanding of your credit and financing situation, your real estate agent can offer alternative financing options that best fit your needs.

(6) RECOMMENDATIONS of OTHER PROFESSIONALS
-     Real estate agents who have networked in this business know who are reliable trades in the industry. They can provide you a list of recommended:
          - Real Estate inspectors
          - Loan officers/ Mortgage
          - Home insurance
          - Home Warranty information
          - Title companies
          - Real estate appraisers
          - Other trades such as HVAC, Plumber, Electrician, Foundation companies

The most important things to understand about the BUYER CUSTOMER and BUYER CLIENT are that:

When you are not represented by a Buyer's Agent, the agent that shows you the property technically represents the SELLER, which means you need to safeguard your interests when you meet the agent. Any information divulged during the meeting can be used against you during the negotiations.  Until you are represented by your Buyer's AGENT, no other agent owes you CONFIDENTIALITY and FIDUCIARY duties including the agent that showed you the home.

When asked to sign a Buyer's Representation agreement, this is much more than the average consumer thinks that it is the real estate agent's strategy to tie you down. A Buyer's Representation Agreement defines each person's role during the showing of properties, how the consumer should be treated and what information may be shared.

Certain information; much like the questions below, are not to be shared until the SACRED BOND of Buyer’s Representation is FORMED: