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 Congratulations! You have decided to purchase a home, or are thinking about buying one. You'll be joining the ranks of hundreds of families who realize that home ownership offers a number of benefits including building equity, saving for the future, and creating an environment for your family. When you own your own home, your hard-earned dollars contribute to your mortgage. The equity you earn is yours. Over time, your home will increase in value.
You may not know it, but there is a difference among real estate agents and your understanding of this difference can be a crucial factor in the success of your transaction. Essentially, there are three types of real estate agents: Listing agents, Transaction brokers, and Exclusive Buyer agents. Only with an Exclusive Buyer agent will your best interests be protected fully and responsibly. While all three types of real estate agents make every effort to represent their clients fairly and equally, there are very critical differences in the ability to demonstrate loyalty, obedience, disclosure, confidentiality, and responsibility that buyers need to know.  Exclusive buyer’s agents are real estate professionals representing the buyer's best interests in the home buying process. They determine the home's value and formulate the negotiation strategy to get the best price and terms for the buyer, they advise buyers of their best options after the home inspection and represent the buyers through the closing. Exclusive buyer agency insures no conflict of interest.
A real estate agent that represents YOU, the buyer who is purchasing property in a real estate transaction The buyer's representative works for, and owes fiduciary responsibilities to YOU as the buyer and has YOUR best interests in mind throughout the entire real estate process. WE as your buyer's representative will: Conduct a buyer counseling session to discuss your needs and goals to locate properties that fit those specifications. The buyer counseling session will include the following: - Assessment of your finances to determine the amount you can afford (pre-qualify).
- Compare buying with renting.
- Find out about interest rates.
- Understand your closing costs.
- Figure out your income, debt and down payment.
- Tax considerations of buying.
- Evaluate your specific needs and wants to locate properties that fit those specifications.
- Provide you with access to the MLS and non-MLS lists of property via e-mail, fax, and the Internet to show you the properties in your price range and locale.
- Assist you in viewing properties by arranging showings for identified properties, accompanying you to all showings and critiquing every home, and even advising you not to buy homes that are not suitable, or preview the properties on your behalf to insure that the identified specifications are met.
- Use reasonable care and diligence to research the selected properties to help you make an informed decision prior to making an offer to purchase the property. This research includes:
- Advising you of the positive and/or negative aspects of a property that may affect its current value and future resale value.
- Reviewing specifications and allowances for new construction.
- Researching property ownership history.
- Obtaining assessment information if applicable.
- Obtaining mortgage information.
- Informing you of property tax information for this particular property.
- Provide you with a free Comparable Market Analysis (a list of comparable recent sales showing what the buying public has been willing to pay in this neighborhood for properties similar to that of your interest) to determine a broker’s opinion of the home’s value.
- Advise you on structuring an appropriate offer to purchase the selected property.
- Arranging a free pre-qualification or pre-approval interview to obtain a pre-approval letter stating your range and affordability to increase your negotiating strength.
- Form a specific negotiation strategy focused on loyally advancing the best interest of the buyer.
- Present the offer to the seller's agent and/or the seller and negotiate on your behalf to help obtain the identified property.
- Review and explain forms and agreements with you.
- Assist in securing appropriate financing for the selected property.
- Coordinate documents between all parties and inform you of the progress of the purchase agreement, including the satisfaction of all contingencies and conditions during the entire transaction until closing.
- Accompany you to your home inspection and advising/renegotiating any subsequent inspection issues.
- Set up and accompany you on the final walk-through of the property (if provided for in the sale contract) before closing, and assist you in dealing with any problems encountered during the walk-through.
- Addressing any last minute issue that may arise.
- Accompanying you and representing you at the closing.
- Provide a list of potential qualified vendors (e.g . movers, attorneys, carpenters, etc.) if these services are needed.
- Most importantly, fully-represent YOU throughout the real estate transaction protecting your interests at all times.
In summary, if you choose to sign a buyer representation agreement with us you can be certain that we will work 100 percent on your side, pointing out potential issues in the prospective property and even advising YOU not to consider certain properties. We will essentially take on the role of your home buyer consultant, with your success foremost in mind.  So now that you know the best way to be certain that an agent is working in YOUR best interests we invite you to REGISTER WITH US as your exclusive buyer agent and obtain up to 0.5% REBATE at closing. We at SuCasaenMiami have realtors that have pursued the special ABR designation and will gladly help you in your home buying process.
Why you should use an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR)? Why should you look for the ABR designation before looking for a home? These three letters after a REALTOR's name tell you that you will be working with buyer representative who is committed to your best interests. The ABR Designation is awarded by REBAC to those REALTORS who have met the specific educational and experiential criteria needed to provide the high level quality service required by REBAC (Real Estate BUYER'S AGENT Council). How do Commissions for Exclusive Buyer Agents work? In the United States a typical real estate transaction will involve the use of a local MLS System (Multiple Listing Service). The MLS is a computer-based marketing database set up by a group of cooperating real estate brokers that provides agents with accurate and structured data about properties currently on the market. The MLS is also used as a tool for listing brokers to offer compensation to buyer brokers who bring a buyer for their listed property. By using rigid data criteria and providing rules for the offer of compensation to other brokers, the MLS has been the primary vehicle for the vast majority of real estate transactions over the years. When a listing firm agrees to market a property, he or she agrees to a fee with the seller, typically offering a portion of that fee as a cooperative agreement with an agent who brings in a buyer.  As an example, let's say a home owner decides to list property with a listing agent and agrees to pay a commission to the agent when the home sells. Typically, if the listing agent also finds the buyer, he or she will receive the entire commission. If a buyers' agent finds the buyer, the listing agent will receive a portion of the commission with the remaining portion going to the agent who finds the buyer. Many buyers are under the mistaken impression that since there is an agent working with them to buy a home; this agent must be on the side of the buyer. In most cases, this agent is working as a transaction broker representing the interest of neither party. Unless those buyers have hired an exclusive buyers' agent, they may have no advocate at all. In the previous example, the listing agent typically agrees to split a portion of the listing commission, so the buyer's agent would receive compensation through the Multiple Listing Service agreement. Since there is already a commission built into nearly all home prices, doesn't it make sense to use a portion of it to pay an exclusive buyer agent which will always have your best interest in mind and will give you the best level of service, instead of all of it to pay the seller's agent? Another advantage of hiring us as your exclusive buyer agent is that we will not only present properties listed on the MLS, but also For Sale by Owner options. This is made possible by structuring your offer to include our fee when presenting it to the seller. Your offer will include my fee. Avoiding conflict of interest The important point is that the exclusive buyer's' agent works for buyers only and never for sellers, insuring that the buyer-client will receive 100% loyalty and service without any conflict of interest. Thus, the advantage of working with an exclusive buyer's agent is clear - you have a home buyer advocate who works only for you at essentially no additional cost to you! This is the advantage that working with an exclusive buyer's agent offers you, and the difference you must understand to maximize your home-buying experience. They can never disclose confidential personal and financial information about you to anyone else in the home buying process. Listing agents are known as traditional agents and are the most familiar type of real estate professionals. They are marketing specialists representing the interests of home sellers. They determine the value of the home, market the home and negotiate for the best terms and price on the seller's behalf. For more information on listing agents please go to seller services. Transaction brokers are agents who work for a traditional firm assisting buyers, sellers, or both during the transaction without representing the interests of either party. A transaction broker must treat buyers and sellers fairly and equally; however, it may be difficult to advance the interests of both the buyer and the seller because of their competing interests. With transaction brokerage, it is possible to lose your most important advisor and advocate.  In the following reports, you'll find the information you need to make a wise buying decision. We'll take you through the planning process step-by-step , to help you determine which home is right for you. You'll find a host of informative articles on mortgages, viewing homes, the offer, closing details and moving.Please contact me if you have any questions about buying a home in Miami or elsewhere in Florida. Below, select desired reports and complete the form provided.
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