It isn't easy being a buyer's agent

Letter to the Editor

By Inman News, Monday, February 16, 2009.

Dear Editor:

I agreed with the author's premise that things many be changing in our industry. However, I feel compelled to say he did not fairly represent the work of a buyer's agent.

As an agent who has assisted both buyers and sellers for the past nine years, I can tell you that many times it is the buyer you work hardest for. I have shown properties to buyers for several months on many occasions, and even a few over a period of more than a year. I have spent hours e-mailing new listings and getting information from listing agents about properties buyers may be interested in like copies of seller's disclosures for their review.

I have done research to show them comparables that have sold so they can present an educated offer. I have attended more home inspections than I'd want to count, which typically take a minimum of 2.5 hours. I have assisted them in finding the right mortgage company; spent many hours reviewing home inspection reports with them; assisted them in presenting repair lists for sellers; and then negotiated for them on all of those issues. As a buyer's agent it is my job to oversee all deadlines in the contract, inspections, appraisals, mortgage commitments, etc. A good agent will take their buyer by the hand and guide them through every step of the process, and there are many steps to a closing for both the buyer's and the seller's agent. I got the impression from the author that he thinks the buyer basically has already found their home and their mortgage and then calls an agent to buy it.

Boy, how wonderful that would be if true! This is just not the norm at all. Although the Internet has allowed buyers to search for homes, there is not a lot more it provides -- at least in my neck of the woods. If I had to pick which side of the transaction requires more of my time, effort and energy -- including the many miles I have put on my car in this business -- it would without a doubt be the buyer's side, not the seller's.

Sheri Rourke
Realtor associate
Cherry Hill, N.J.

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Submitted by Dawn Darner on February 16, 2009 - 5:51pm.

Excellent point, Sheri! While I'm delighted to be working with buyers in today's market, it isn't a breeze. Until this market, my average was showing 6 homes before a buyer purchased (I am a good listener!). However, because so many buyers are looking at the lower end of the marketplace but still want a home that is livable, I've shown as many as 100 homes to a potential buyer, written several offers only to be beaten out because they still think they can steal a property (despite several "reality checks"). And the follow-up takes huge amounts of time.

I'm not complaining about the work, mind you. I actually prefer to work with buyers, but it's not a slam dunk proposition, that's for sure!

Dawn

Dawn M.Darner,Realtor,GRI
The Darner Peterson Team
"Old Friends Helping New Friends"
CARDINAL REALTY
In the Twin Cities of Minnesota
E-mail Dawn@DawnDarner.com
Cellular - 651-295-8495