Listing Agent Vs. Buyer Agent: Who Works For You?

It may seem perfectly logical to call the agent on the sign posts while driving around your dream neighbourhood searching for your next house. The sign might have emails or phone numbers to allow you to quickly access more information—but beware. Your information goes directly to the listing agent and the listing agent works for the seller, not the buyer. Sellers and agents have a written contractual agreement outlining their relationship. It’s called the Exclusive Listing Agreement. It outlines the role of the listing agent, how they intend to market the party, the commission and the terms of the listing.

The Listing Agent is the Seller’s Representative

That means the listing agent has a legal obligation to work on the seller’s behalf—to get the highest possible price and the best terms available for the seller, not the buyer. The listing agent legally is obligated to share any information they learn about the buyer with the seller. If a potential buyer walks into an open house and strikes up a conversation with a personable listing agent, any information divulged there can be used against the buyer during eventual negotiations. So telling a listing agent you are relocating within the next month for a new job at a high profile company with a great offer that increased your salary so now you can afford to own more properties than before, that can hurt you later if it comes to a bid on the property.

Listing Agents Wear Many Hats
There are many facets to a listing agent’s job. They work closely with the seller and provide a bevy of services. Here is a sample of what most listing agents do for each seller client:

1. Create a marketing plan for the house
2. Have professional photos taken of the house
3. Advise the seller about the best ways to stage the house for sale
4.Generate Comparative Market Analysis reports to suggest the best selling price
5.Recommend contractors and vendors to help prepare the home for market
6.Evangelize the benefits of the house and neighbourhood to potential buyers
7.Coordinate showings with buyer agents and unrepresented buyers
8.Host “Broker Opens” to get as many potential buyer agents into the house for feedback and to attract buyers
9.Make the house easily accessible for showings
10. Provide showing feedback
11.Communicate market activity to the seller with weekly updates/reports
12. Present and advise sellers of all offers
13. Negotiate the highest possible selling price
14. Coordinate the purchase process with inspectors, attorneys, appraisers, title company agents and others
15 .Verify buyer eligibility to purchase
16. Make the home selling process as easy for the seller as possible

But using an online platform to view your next house or visiting a property listing site can provide much advantage. They include:

You get to view the property without the input of the property agent.
1. You can easily get the opinions of your friends and family before contacting the property agent.
2. Since the features of the house is already listed with pictures, 3.you can then bargain with the knowledge gotten from viewing the property first hand.

All these will depend on how dependable and accurate the property site is.