In the vast majority of real estate transactions, all parties 
involved, with the exception of the buyer, will unwittingly assist the 
seller in obtaining the highest possible price.

Unless you specifically request that an agent represent you as a 
Buyer's Agent, all the agents who assist you, will in all likelihood 
be working for the seller.

"A real estate broker doesn't work for you, but for the seller. If you 
want someone on your side, get a Buyers Agent" –Readers Digest

"Retain your own Buyer's Broker when buying a home" –Consumer Digest

"Buyer advocacy seems to be taking off. I'll never buy a house any 
other way" –Wall Street Journal

"Buyers average a 5% savings when represented by a Buyer's Agent, 
rather than a Sales Agent" –Money Magazine

Questions and Answers about a Buyer's Agent

Q: What is a Buyer's Agent?
A: A Realtor who represents you and your interests EXCLUSIVELY when 
you are purchasing real estate.

Q: Is it necessary to have a Buyer's Agent?
A: Not unless you prefer having everyone working in the Seller's 
interests

Q: Can't the Seller's Agent represent me as well?
A: Yes, that's called Dual Agency, (prohibited in some states, for 
good reason). Caution! The Sellers and their agent have had a longer 
contractual relationship, so can you be sure that the Seller's Agent 
is going to negotiate a good deal for you?

Q: What does it cost me to have a Buyer's Agent represent me?
A: Absolutely nothing! Zero! But he/she could save you a small 
fortune!

Q: How does a Buyer's Agent get compensated?
A: When a seller "lists" his house (puts it on the market), he agrees 
to pay the listing broker a certain commission. The listing broker, 
will in turn, list the house in the MLS system and disclose what 
he/she will pay to any other broker who brings the buyer. Otherwise 
the listing broker keeps all of the commission if he/she finds a 
buyer.

Q: Do Buyer's Agents and Seller's Agents have the same qualifications 
and licenses?
A: Yes! They have to sit for the same examinations and continuing 
education classes and generally belong to the same associations.

Q: Are there any other differences?
A: Not really. Seller's Agents are typically very good at, and prefer, 
the marketing challenge of selling a house. Buyer's Agents are very 
comfortable with investigative analysis of real estate, and counseling 
Buyers. Many agents can do both very well.

Q: If a house catches my eye and I want to investigate further, what 
steps do I need to take?
A: Contact a Buyer's Agent FIRST, before contacting the Seller's 
Agent. This will ensure a smooth transaction for you should you decide 
to purchase the house.

Q: If I walk into a sales office for a new community being built, can 
I negotiate a discount because I don't have a Buyers' Agent?
A: No. Each builder has contracted to pay a set fee to the marketing 
company (sales office) on each house sold, irrespective of the number 
of agents involved (even if you should negotiate directly with the 
builder, he still has to pay the same fee to the marketing company).

Meet your Buyer's Agent
There is a difference in the type of representation an agent can
offer. Agents who take listings cannot guarantee that they will
represent you, the buyer, solely. Remember that the listing agent has
signed a contract with the Sellers to represent them, creating a
fiduciary duty to the Seller. (Michigan law defines a fiduciary duty as
the highest possible duty including, honesty, full disclosure,
confidentiality, diligence, reasonable care, loyalty, obedience and
accountability.) Because the listing agent or any agent affiliated
with him or her already has this duty towards the seller, by law, you
are not a client, but a customer. (An agent's duties towards a
customer include only honesty and full disclosure.)

As a Buyer's Agent, Scott has a fiduciary duty to you.. You will always
be his client and never be reduced to customer status when you are
working with him. He is legally and ethically able to work exclusively
for you to ensure a swift, accurate and advantageous completion of the
transaction. And because the seller generally offers to pay the
commission to a selling agent when a property is offered for sale, it
makes sense not to settle for weak, watered-down representation when
you can have Scott's representation at no cost.

Please note that Scott's services cost you nothing and in no way
inflate the price of the property