Selecting an Agent

It goes without saying that there are many real estate agents from which to choose. The question is, who to choose?

Market Knowledge: Market knowledge and experience are both important traits of a real estate agent. You should choose a real estate agent who continuously keeps up with the inventory in their market place, so you don't risk missing that perfect home.

Established Professional: Select a full-time real estate professional who is dedicated to his or her work with a proven track record. A professional real estate agent stays educated, keeping up with current market trends and app- roaches to serving buyers best interests.

What Can An Agent Do For You?

Buying a home is not an event, it's a process. The more you know about the process, the more confident you'll feel about the decisions you make. The expertise of a real estate agent can save you time, inconvenience, and potentially thousands of dollars. In the end, working with a highly trained and motivated real estate professional will assure you get the best results. Some things to expect from your agent are:

• Listen to your needs and address all your concerns.
  
  
• Show you all properties listed with the Multiple Listing Association that fit your criteria - regardless of the company they're listed with.
  
  
• Provide you with an accurate market appraisal on any home you wish to make an offer on, before you make your offer, to be sure you know the true value.
  
  
• Assist you in obtaining financing.
  
  
• Explain the purchase and sale agreements.
  
• Write the offer to purchase the home.
  
  
• Present your offer to the seller.
  
  
• Negotiate the best possible price and terms on your behalf.
  
  
• Assist you through all the various inspections and appraisals.
  
  
• Handle all work orders that may arise.
  
  
• Help coordinate your move.
  
  
• Oversee the escrow process and track the various deadlines.
  
  
• Review your Hud-1 and good faith estimate for accuracy.
  
  

Buyer's Agent - Duties

As the representative of the buyer, the Buyer's Agent is required by Washington State Law:

• To be loyal to the buyer by taking no action that is adverse or detrimental to the buyer's interest in a transaction
  
  
• To timely disclose to the buyer any conflicts of interest.
  
  
• To advise the buyer to seek expert advice on matters relating to the transaction that are beyond the agent's expertise.
  
  
• Not to disclose any confidential information from or about the buyer, except under subpoena or court order, even after termination of the agency relationship.
  
  
• Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, to make a good faith and continuous effort to find a property for the buyer; except that a buyer's agent is not obligated to:
  
  
  • (i) Seek additional properties to purchase while the buyer is a party to an existing contract to purchase; or
    
    
  • (ii) show properties as to which there is no written agreement to pay compensation to the buyer's agent
    

Also, it should be remembered that:

• The showing of property in which a buyer is interested to other prospective buyers by a buyer's agent does not in and of itself breach the duty of loyalty to the buyer or create a conflict of interest.
  
  
• The representation of more than one buyer by different licensees affiliated with the same broker in competing transactions involving the same property does not in and of itself breach the duty of loyalty to the buyers or create a conflict of interest.