When buying a home, should you find your own agent or..?

Question

When buying a house, is it better to find your own agent or work with the agent from the builder? And if you get an agent from the builder, can you trust them? My friend wanted to know.

Answer 1

I highly suggest any buyer get their own agent who is solely looking out for their best interests.  When agents act on behalf of both buyer and seller things can often get confused as to which client the Realtor is best serving.  Since the Realtor made the relationship with the seller (or builder) first it is reasonable to argue that the Realtor will be more loyal to them.  Many agents are fully able to handle both sides of the transaction in a trustful ethical manner, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 2

Yes!  You will want someone to work for you in protecting your best interest.  I am a buyer's agent and although some states allow dual agency where you get a realtor representing both parties...the question you have to ask yourself is, "does the realtor work for you, or for the seller's best interest?" Now, with that question in mind, I am sure that you can already form a decision.  

It is always in your best interest to have a REaltor working for you.  In most cases, it does not cost more.  If the commission beign paid is 6%, the seller and buyer agents split the commission in half.  If a dual agency exists, the whole 6% is earned by only one agent and you cannot be sure whether the agent is totally equal in his/her dealing with you and the seller or not.

Answer 3

Get your own agent.  The builders agent makes all their money off the builder so they will help the builder as best they can.  You really need someone looking out for your best interests so get your own agent.

Answer 4

You need your own agent, even for a brand new property.   That "sales person" is actually an agent for the builder and legally obligated to rake you over as many coals as possible.   You need someone on your side, batting for you.

Your agent is paid by the builder, who simply splits the money he would have paid his agent in half, he is not out any extra money.

Answer 5

We bought from a builder and we got our own agent, just because it is free for you, the buyer, and it can only help. The builder's agent it working for them....not you! Your agent can give the low-down on things they see wrong and on reasonable prices and how much you can push. Definitely get your own agent, no matter what the selling agent says!

Answer 6

.   In  Arizona there was  a court case.  The buyer was mad because the agent who had been so friendly in the sales office had made some mistakes that cost her money on the sale of her previous residence.  The judge said "What did you see behind her chair when you were in her office?"    The plaintiff said "Signs with the builder's name".   THe judge said that the saleswoman only worked for the builder and not the buyer.  

If you don't have any outside entanglements, you could easily use the builder's agent.  The woman in the court case wanted to make the purchase of the new home "contingent" upon the sale of her old home. The salewoman forgot to write the contingency into the contract.