1. Only a "Buyer Agent" can GUARANTEE to:

• Represent only the Home Buyer.

• Negotiate only on the Home Buyer's behalf.

• Provide the true facts (good and bad) about:

  • value,

  • market,

  • neighborhood conditions, and

  • obvious physical defects.  

2. A "Buyer Agent" CAN DO A BETTER JOB because: 

• "Buyer Agents" have a legal and ethical obligation to put the Home Buyer's interests first.

• "Listing and Seller's Agents" (or agents for a Builder or developer) cannot tell a Home Buyer things that would be detrimental for the Home Buyer to know (they work for the Seller or Builder). 

• "Buyer Agents" try to get their buyer the:

  •  "lowest price on the best terms for the Buyer". 

• "Seller's Agents" try to get their Seller the:

  •  "highest price on the best terms for the Seller". 

3. A "Buyer Agent" OWES A HOME BUYER DUTIES of: 

• Confidentiality - "Buyer Agents" are prohibited from disclosing confidential information obtained from the Home Buyer to the Seller or his/her agent.  Unlike a "Seller's Agent", "Buyer Agents" can't and won't disclose to the Seller:

  • the real price a Home Buyer is willing to pay,

  • the amount of mortgage a Home Buyer is actually qualified for,

  • how much cash a Home Buyer has to work with,

  • or, the level of a Home Buyer's motivation to buy a particular house.

• Reasonable Skill and Care - "Buyer Agents" are required to:

  • protect the Home Buyer from foreseeable risks,

  • recommend their clients obtain expert advice when their needs are outside the "Buyer Agent's" scope of expertise.
    

• Undivided Loyalty - "Buyer Agents" are prohibited from advancing any interests that are adverse to their Home Buyer.
  

• Obedience to Lawful Instructions - "Buyer Agents" are required to:

  • act subject to their Home Buyer's continuous control, and

  • obtain and follow all lawful instructions from their Home Buyer.
    

• Full Disclosure - "Buyer Agents" are required to disclose to their Home Buyer all information concerning a house purchase which might affect their buyer's best interest.  Unlike a "Seller's Agent", "Buyer Agents" must and do disclose:

  • what they know about the Seller’s own motivation for selling,

  • the price the Seller paid for the house,

  • deferred maintenance or defects in the house,

  • price comparables for similar houses,

  • the listing history of the house,

  • potential problems in the neighborhood, etc.

4. "Buyer Agents" are TRAINED TO HELP their clients:

• With finding and negotiating for the right real estate,

• With the evaluation of financing alternatives,

• With the choice of a qualified house inspector, 

• With the choice of other professionals as needed.

5. "Buyer Agents" are NOT TRAINED TO SELL their clients a property.