INDUSTRY INSIGHT
Real Estate
SPONSORED CONTENT
Another Reason
for a Buyer
Consultation
T
hinking about NEW construction? Whether you have purchased a home
before or this is your first time, buying an existing home or building a home
these days can be extremely daunting. There are strategic decisions that need to
be made at every turn in the home-buying process to avoid the hazards of a bad
transaction. In the business of real estate, as in all businesses, there are many
misconceptions that savvy consumers need to understand in order to navigate
the process to their best advantage. One such misconception is that you don’t
need a buyer’s agent and that having a buyer’s agent will cost you more money.
That couldn’t be further from the truth – and here’s why…
A buyer’s agent is going to look out for your best interests. Let’s focus on
buyer’s representation in building a home. The builder representative works
for the builder– not you. Without a buyer’s agent on your side, all the cards
are stacked on the builder’s side, and you are on your side all alone! Whether
interpreting the builder’s contract, making decisions, arranging financing,
negotiating incentives and allowances, guarding against issues related to
workmanship, timing and closing – you need someone looking out for YOUR
interests. Buyers are foolish to undertake what can be a confusing, complex
process without the expert guidance of an experienced professional skilled at
anticipating and avoiding the pitfalls, and advocating for them.
It does not cost you anything extra to have a buyer’s agent representing you.
The builder sets aside the buyer’s agent’s professional fee for bringing in buyers
just the same way as it pays its representative.
It will likely cost you more money if you DON’T use a buyer’s agent. There
are ways to negotiate certain incentives when you have a buyer’s agent, which
you will not be told about by the builder’s representative. While you may pay
the same price set by the builder with or without a buyer’s agent, there’s a
good chance that you will not get any of these extra incentives built into your
purchase. A buyer’s agent skilled at negotiating new construction — someone
who has successfully negotiated new construction multiple times — can make
all the difference here.
With a home being one of the largest purchases made over the course of
a lifetime, be proactive. Part of the free buyer consultation is getting the facts
about the process. We offer a free buyer consultation to help you understand
the purchase process in today’s unstable market environment. Since our buyer
consultation is a private meeting, there is plenty of opportunity to ask any
questions you may have so that you can reach a point where the buying process
no longer feels overwhelming. This means you can focus on seeing the homes
in your preferred neighborhoods instead of worrying about the details.
Laura Palmer is a home grown Pittsburgher and a resident of
Sewickley, helping locals and out-of towners relocate to wonderful
new homes. Her seasoned knowledge, proven expertise and
unparalleled dedication shine through in every relationship she forms
with loyal clients who appreciate, refer and reuse her services.
Sewickley Area | Spring 2014 | icmags.com 53