When you're buying a home, it's easy to focus on the houses for sale. It's just as important to choose the right real estate professional to represent you. A good conversation is one of the best ways to tell whether an agent has the knowledge and skills you need.
Buying a home is a unique, significant, and sometimes challenging experience — and it works best as teamwork. Here are eleven topics worth discussing with any agent you're considering. (And yes — I'd welcome every one of them.)
How long have you been a buyer's agent? Are you an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®), and what other designations or certifications do you hold? (Here's what those titles actually mean.)
Could I talk to past clients who can tell me about their experience working with you?
What aspects of the real estate business do you know best? For example, do you specialize in certain types of properties?
Can you guide me on mortgage options and choosing a lender? Do I need to be pre-approved before we start seeing homes?
I've heard there's a difference between being a customer and a client. Can you explain my options, and what representation and fiduciary duties mean?
How will you be compensated as my buyer's agent? It helps to understand how the written buyer agreement and compensation work before you sign.
What's your advice about property inspections and other contract contingencies?
How will you assist me at each stage of the transaction? Can you share your written buyer agreement detailing our obligations to each other? (See the full list of what a buyer's agent can do for you.)
Do you have full MLS access in the areas we're considering? How will you update me on new listings — and will we view homes not in the MLS, like for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) properties?
How are you approaching negotiations in today's market? Do you take any special steps to help strengthen my offer?
Will you handle all aspects of my transaction, or will I work with assistants? Who will walk me through the forms, agreements, and steps to closing?
Already chosen your agent? Here's the full 10-step home-buying process, from finding representation all the way to moving day.
You should feel completely confident that your agent will address your concerns and help you reach your goals. As your Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®), I welcome every one of these questions — and I'll give you straight, clear answers. Here's what to expect when we first sit down. Let's have that conversation.
Ask about their experience and credentials, references from past clients, areas of knowledge, how they'll guide you on financing, what representation and fiduciary duties you'll have, how they're paid, their advice on contingencies, the services they provide, their MLS access, their approach to negotiating, and who will support your transaction through to closing.
An Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) is a REALTOR® who has completed specialized training through the Center for REALTOR® Development in representing home buyers. It's an official credential of the National Association of REALTORS® and signals an agent focused on the buyer's side of the transaction.
It's an important distinction worth asking any agent to explain. Generally, a client is owed full representation and fiduciary duties — such as loyalty and confidentiality — while a customer receives honest, fair service but not full representation. Ask a prospective agent to walk you through your options and what those duties mean for you.
Compensation is negotiable and should be put in writing before you start touring homes. It can take several forms, such as a fee paid by the buyer, a concession from the seller, or a portion of the listing broker's compensation. Ask any prospective agent exactly how they'll be compensated as your buyer's agent.
The best way to choose an agent is simply to talk. Tell me a little about your home search, and let's have a no-pressure conversation about how I can help you buy in Las Cruces.