801-969-8989

GET YOUR OWN AGENT . COM
The Relocation Department of Homebuyer Representation, Inc.
A Licensed Utah Real Estate Brokerage and an Exclusive Buyer Agency
Real Estate Agents on the Buyer’s Side TM

There is a better way to buy a home. We’re here to help.

While the exact procedure may vary in some states, we present the following 8 steps as our recommended path to buying a home:

Step 1

Find your best real estate agent.

The best agent for buyers is one who will commit to work on your side… for you, and ONLY you. This is the most important step! If you skip this step, you may lose your opportunity to choose an agent who can be your advocate. (See Dual-Agency) A good buyer’s agent on your side can give you information you need to make good decisions, keep you from over-paying, negotiate on your behalf and guide you through the home buying process. Not all buyer’s agents will commit to remain loyal to you. We can help you find one that will.

Step 2

Get Pre-Approved for a mortgage loan (Cash buyers can skip this step).

While you can continue to shop lenders for the best rates and fees, it is important to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan before you start looking at homes. You’ll be able to set your budget with confidence and you’ll be ready to take action if you find a well priced home for sale. You’ll also be at a huge advantage if you end up negotiating against buyers who are not pre-approved. Some sellers won’t accept offers from buyers without a pre-approval. Others won’t even show their homes to buyers who are not pre-approved for a loan. If you need help with this step, a good buyer’s agent can guide you through getting pre-approved for a loan.

Step 3

Find your house!

This is usually fun and exciting… which is why so many uninformed buyers go straight to this step first. Two-thirds of buyers end up working with the first agent they talk to. That agent should be a buyer’s agent who will commit to work 100% on your behalf… NOT one who already represents the seller of a home.

A good buyer’s agent will have a method whereby you can set criteria for a home search and receive updated property listings regularly. They can consult with you to help you set your home search criteria, or, if you have already determined the type of house you are looking for, they can help you find it.

Seller’s agents have been hired by sellers to sell their specific houses to buyers. They have a legal obligation to try and sell those homes to buyers. They must try and get the highest price and best terms for the seller. If you don’t hire an agent who is committed to work for you and only you, you could end up getting SOLD a home, rather than buying one. To find a good buyer’s agent who will commit to work for you and only you, click here.

Step 4

Negotiate!

The type of agent you hire will have a significant impact on how well you can negotiate.

A seller’s agent MUST:

• NOT tell you anything that would damage the seller’s position.
• Tell the seller any information about you that could benefit the seller.
• Try and sell you the seller’s home.
• NOT provide you with comparable sales data that would justify you making an offer lower than what the seller is asking.
• NOT advise you on an offer price less than what the seller is asking.
• Work in the seller’s best interest to get them the best price and terms possible.
• Stay loyal to the seller.

Wouldn’t you rather hire an agent on your side who MUST:

• Share information they learn about the seller that could help you in negotiations?
• Keep information about you confidential if it would damage your position in negotiations?
• Help you buy ANY home you want to… without having legal obligations to try and sell you certain homes?
• Be willing (and able) to show you comparable sales that reflect market value, even if market value is significantly less than the seller’s asking price?
• Be able to advise you if the seller’s asking price is too high and negotiate on your side to get YOU the best deal possible?
• Stay loyal to YOU?

Getting your own agent on your side has been proven to yield better results (read: more savings) in negotiations. We help buyers find their own agent.

Step 5

Inspections and Due Diligence

In some areas this step comes before negotiations, but in many states there is a period after the buyer and seller come to terms during which the buyer can have the home professionally inspected and evaluate other details of the home and surroundings. Depending on how the contract is written, the buyer may be able to walk away from the transaction without any penalty during this period.

An agent on your side can draft an agreement that gives you more protection than an agent that represents the seller can.

Step 6

Arrange for homeowner’s insurance, title work, appraisal, home warranties, etc.

An agent on your side can help you guide you through making these arrangements with the appropriate professionals.

Step 7

Closing

If you have done well in the first 6 steps, this step should be relatively painless and mostly a formality. If you have a loan, you’ll sign loan documents. You’ll also deliver any funds you are bringing. (Down payment and closing costs, or your cash to close.)

Step 8

Moving in!

While some transactions will have complications, it really can be a smooth and simple process. Start by finding the best buyer’s agent possible. Buyer’s who have worked with agents we have recommended report that they enjoy the experience and don’t have the headaches their friends and co-workers warned them about. Coincidence? We think not! It just makes sense!

Get YOUR OWN Agent today!

If you have excellent credit and plan to purchase a home in the next 60 days, please call us at (801) 969-8989 to find an agent who will commit to stay true to you. To request contact from a local agent in our network, just click on “Get Your Own Agent” below.

“The best thing real estate buyers can do, and the first thing they should do, is to get educated about the real estate transaction and to select and hire their own real estate agent who will represent their interests as soon as they begin the home buying process, rather than ending up working with an agent who primarily represents the seller.” -Benjamin Clark 2009-2010 President of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents.

Answers to frequently asked questions are our opinion and should not be construed as legal advice specific to your situation.