If you end buying a home directly with the listing agent you won’t have anyone on your side. You aren’t using your own agent but the sellers’. The laws vary from state to state but it’s simple. A listing agent is hired by the seller to sell the house. How can they possibly try to negotiate a good deal for you as well?  

WHAT THEY AREN’T TELLING YOU; Real estate is the only profession that allows agents to represent two opposing parties in a transaction. Even lawyers won’t do this. .

If you are working directly with the listing agent here is a short list of what they can’t do for you:

·        They can’t negotiate the lowest price for you.

·        They can’t negotiate the best terms for you.

·        They can’t use their experience and  knowledge to protect you

·        They can’t tell you what to offer

·        They can’t negotiate home repairs for you.

·        They can’t tell you anything that would give you an edge.

Instead here is a list of what they can do;  

• Keep the entire commission when it closes.
• Pass along requested information
• Shuffle the paperwork
• Help get the deal done
• Make sure you comply with the contract

If you are working directly with the listing agent and don’t have your own agent here is what they will be doing;

• Negotiating the highest price possible for the seller
• Structuring  the best deal for the seller
• Controlling the transaction for the seller
• Selling you a home
• Helping you with any paperwork
• Disclosing any confidential information about you to the seller
• Keeping the entire commission

The listing agent is hired by the seller to;

-         Sell the home for the highest price possible and for the best terms possible.

-         To protect the best interest of the seller.

That’s basically it. Of course there is a lot that goes into it and they accomplish it by marketing, advertising, staging, negotiating, etc.

AN INSIDERS TIP; Never work directly with the listing agent. If you aren’t represented they will never be on your side and are obligated to only get the best deal for the seller. It’s the equivalent of being in court and not having your own lawyer so you start using the other sides’ lawyer.

WHAT THEY AREN’T TELLING YOU; It doesn’t cost anything additional to have your own agent. If you buy a home that is listed you are paying someone.  The question you have to ask is do you want it to be the listing agent or your own agent?