Interviewing for the right buyer agent is much like interviewing candidates for a an important job. First you must identify the criteria for the job. Next you must find the candidates. Third you plan the interview. Forth you conduct the interview and finally you check out their references.

Identifying the Criteria

Throughout the country there are three service levels of buyer agents. It is important that you understand the differences and the impact on your representation. The three are presented in ranking order. Number 1 should be your first choice, if available in your community. Number two would be suitable as long as you understand their representation limitations. Number three should be avoided.

Exclusive Buyer Brokerage (1)

The exclusive buyer brokerage and its agents never list homes for sale. These agents specialize in working only with buyers. As a result of working only with buyers, the agents develop consistent behaviors that allow the buyers to be assured that they are getting a true buyer representation service. These agents will have the proper training and will serve you as a consultant rather than a salesperson who will attempt to sale you a home.

Traditional Brokerage (2)

There are some traditional brokerages that provide limited training for buyer agents. In these brokerages there may be some agents that want to provide the type of service a client should receive, however their association with a brokerage that lists home for sale creates a major conflict of interests. The conflict is the pressure to show the companies listings and especially their own listings. Even though state regulations allow agents to represent their buyer on company listings as designated agents, the level of service is down graded. The reason for the down graded service is that the broker becomes a transaction broker with no agency liability. In addition there is no assurance that the information in the files of both the buyer and seller will be kept confidential because the agents may work out of the same office. Another handicap when using this service is the policy by most of these brokers to allow their agents to write a contract for one of their clients on a property and then write a competing offer for another buyer on the same property. This action is the ultimate of distrust of a buyer agent.

Traditional Brokerage (3)

Many of the traditional brokerages permit their agent to work as buyer agents without any training as a buyer agent. In most cases these agent are merely saying they will serve you as a buyer agent. They will treat you as a customer, using their skilled sales techniques to sale you a home. A good buyer agent will never attempt to sale you a home. The agent will work as a consultant to help you make the right decisions for your home purchase.

Finding the Candidates

A search of the yellow pages will generally reveal exclusive buyer brokerages. The traditional brokerages will also be listed in this source. In most cases you won't know which brokerages train their buyer agents.

Planning the Interview

When planning the interview you will want to identify the information you should know about the agent and broker. Some of this information will tend to be facts, such as: Can you help us save money? How many clients are you working with at the present time? Other information that you will want to collect will be about the agents attitude and behavior. When planning these questions you should structure questions, such as: Can you tell me what you did in any situation where you knew there was more than one offer being presented on a property? How have you dealt with listing agents that don't want to present your offer immediately when time is of essence? These type of questions will help you identify past behaviors that are the best predictors of future behavior.

Buyer Agent Criteria:

1. The agent should work for an exclusive buyer brokerage.
2. The agent should have good listening skills.
3. The agent should have good organization skills.
4. The agent should be sensitive to the buyers needs.
5. The agent should have a good knowledge of the real estate market.
6. The agent should have a sufficient knowledge of home construction.
7. The brokerage should have a broker that is willing to assist when there are difficulties in completing a contract.
8. The brokerage should have some programs for the buyer, such as: low cost loans, discounts on moving and other services.

Questions to Ask

Before asking questions of the agent, it will be best to provide the agent some information about your expected home purchase. You might present a summary of the geographical area where you would like to buy, price range for the home, some of the basic needs, and your time schedule. The agent will also want to know about your availability for looking at homes.

Questions:

1. How long have you been working as a buyers agent?
2. What price range homes have you been showing?
3. What neighborhoods are you familiar with?
4. How can you help us save money on the purchase?
5. What kind of problems might we expect in finding the home we want?
6. How have you helped other buyers shop for a loan?
7. How have you helped other buyers to know when they have found the right home?
8. How often will you be calling to update us on new listings?
9. How will we know what to offer on the property?
10. Will we need to hire an attorney?
11. Do you have home inspectors that you recommend?
12. How successful have you been at negotiating corrections for damage or needed repairs?
13. Will you assist us with the final walk-through?
14. Will you join us at our closing?
15. How many buyers are you working with at the present time?
16. What hours will you be available for showing us homes?

Reference Checks

Before finalizing your selection, it is prudent of a buyer to check with former clients of the agent to learn what kind of service to expect. The reference check is probably the most important phase of the selection process. Keep in mind that if you get a less than desirable reference it may be a buyer that was difficult to satisfy. If the former client was not satisfied with the service, check with more of the agent's clients. Even excellent agents, who do their best to please clients, will have some unsatisfied former clients.

If you desire assistance in searching for a buyer agent, please complete the form HERE. We have access to hundreds of exclusive buyer agents through out the nation. Let us help you find one in your community.