Dawn Isenhower Sibcy Cline Realtors

You see a home while driving down the road that catches your eye. It looks great, and you have been considering taking advantage of the historically low prices and interest rates that exist in our current housing market. With this in mind, you pick up your phone and call the listing agent whose number is on the sign.

The listing agent is very nice and is eager to set up a showing to get you into the home. You meet him or her at the home, you tour it, and you leave with more to think about. After going home and discussing the home with your significant other (or a close friend), you decide on a second showing. Then, you call the listing agent again to make another appointment.

In the mean time, the listing agent has given the seller all of the feedback from the first showing, and has shared all of the information that they obtained from you during the first showing with the seller. If the listing agent is doing his or her job, they may have even prepared for the possibility of an offer after the second showing, and determined a strategy for getting you to purchase the home.

Everything that you have freely shared with the listing agent is now known by the seller as well, and those who are selling the home hold all of the cards. If you elect to write an offer at the second showing, and the listing agent is acting only on behalf of the seller or as a dual agent, you are at a tremendous disadvantage.

Let's rewind and say that, instead of calling the listing agent, you had called an agent who could represent only you in the transaction as a buyer. That agent would have set up the showing appointment and taken you through the home. None of the information that you shared with your buyer agent would have been available to the listing agent or the seller, and you would have retained your leverage in the transaction.

Buyers no longer have to rely on the listing agent to handle the transaction. You can choose to be represented by someone who is working in your best interest to help you purchase the home of your dreams. In most cases, you receive the benefit of representation, and the seller picks up the tab.