Is My Realtor Really My Agent

In Texas, the state real estate commission says that Realtors can only work with clients in one of two ways. It’s important to understand the difference as a home buyer or seller.

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Is an agent who shows you a home acting as your agent or representative?

That’s actually not always the case. The Texas Real Estate Commission says that agents can work with clients in one of only two ways:

1. They can assist the buyer. They can show homes, help the buyer get in and take a look around, answer general questions, and even write a contract carrying out the wishes of the buyer. 
2. A role of advocacy. This is where the agent actually represents the buyer’s best interests. This way, you can take advantage of the agent’s knowledge, experience, and negotiation skills.

As I said, these are the only two ways agents can work with buyers. Texas has said that there are two forms that we’re required to show you, the first of which is an ‘Information About Brokerage Services Form’ and it’s actually very odd. It states that if I give you the form, I don’t represent you until we have an agreement that says I represent you. It may not sound like it makes sense, but the Texas Real Estate Commission requires us to do it.

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Agents can work with clients in one of only two ways.

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Now, if you want me to represent you, there is a five-page form that says that I will represent you and you will work exclusively with me. This form gives me the right actually represent your best interests. Every agent in Texas has to work in this way. Even if an agent takes you out to see homes, they’re not legally representing your best interests without a written agreement that says so.

On our team, the people who ask us for this representation will get cash rebates from us; I want to give you a reason to work with me. I give you cash back at closing in the form of a rebate.

If you have any other questions about the legality of representation in Texas or about our cash rebates, give me a call soon. I’d be happy to help you!

4 Expert Tips for Granbury Home Buyers

Buying a home can be an overwhelming, stressful process. Today I want to share my top four buyer tips to help you have a great home buying experience.

Buying a Texas home? Get a full Home Search Selling your Texas home? Get a free Home Value Report

There are four incredibly important tips that I want to pass along to home buyers today in order to help you all through the home buying experience. First of all, get pre-qualified. You wouldn’t believe the number of buyers I work with that haven’t even spoken to a lender yet but want to go out and see homes. You need to get pre-qualified first. All you have to do is provide basic information to a lender — you don’t even have to submit tax forms. Getting pre-qualified lets you know whether you are looking in the right price category. Secondly, you should only work with one Realtor. Many buyers click on properties online and before they know it, they get five to 10 Realtors calling and emailing them back. When you only work with one Realtor, that Realtor will work hard for you. They will get to know you, what you’re looking for, and what’s important to you. Ultimately, working with one Realtor is really to your advantage. You should also research your Realtor. Ask them how long they have been in the business and how long they have been in the area. Ask how many sales they do each year. A lot of Realtors get into the business thinking that they will make a lot of money up front, so there are a lot of first and second-year Realtors out there just hoping someone will come along so that they can get a deal. You should work with an experienced Realtor who knows which pitfalls to avoid during a real estate transaction. You should also look for past client testimonials to get an idea of what it will be like to work with your Realtor.

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Only work with one experienced Realtor when buying a home.

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Finally, use a Realtor that will give you a cash rebate at closing. It just so happens that I do that. We give back part of our commission to buyers who agree to work with us. Sometimes, that’s several hundred dollars, and sometimes that rebate can be a couple thousand dollars. It depends on the property you buy. Not many Realtors do that, but you can click here to learn more about our cash rebate program. These four tips will ensure a smooth buying process for you. If you have any other questions about buying a home, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!