What a Buyer’s Agent Does to Help Find Your Next Home

Imagine having a secret weapon in your home-buying arsenal — someone who’s not just legally obligated to look out for you but also dedicated to getting you the best deal possible on your next home. That’s what a buyer’s agent brings to the table.

Although many agents switch between representing buyers or sellers based on the deal, some specialize in working as buyer’s agents.

If you’re a buyer, you don’t technically need to use a buyer’s agent. But you may very well find that having a buyer’s agent on your side is a huge advantage, if not absolutely essential, to closing a deal.

“They have a fiduciary responsibility to represent their clients how they would represent themselves,” explains Kevin Markarian, a top-selling agent in the San Francisco Bay Area. “So they’re going to do everything possible to help you be successful and provide you with all the information necessary to make a good decision.”

Let’s take a closer look at the role of a buyer’s agent and how they can help you in the quest to find your next home.

What is a buyer’s agent?

First, let’s spell out the basics. There are two sides to every real estate transaction: the buyer’s side and the seller’s side. Many agents help both buyers and sellers with transactions, but some agents specialize in handling one party or the other.

Seller’s agents represent sellers — that is, the home the seller is listing. These are also called listing agents. On the other side of the transaction, buyer’s agents represent buyers in seeking and purchasing a home.

What do buyer’s agents do?

Buyer’s agents are there to advise, guide, and steer you through the process using their licenses and expertise. Their supporting role for buyers typically includes:

Helping you make your wish list, a realistic collection of home characteristics you would like to shoot for within your budget
Identifying homes that fit these qualities, and taking you or directing you to see them
Landing on an offer price, writing your offer, and taking it to the seller’s agent
Advocating for your best interests in the sale, including on price and other contract negotiations
Managing the transaction throughout the process
Negotiating repairs or price adjustments that may be feasible as a result of appraisals or inspections
Completing the final walkthrough before you get the keys
Standing by for any necessary advice and support at the closing table
Ideally, handing over the keys with a smile, a warm congratulations, and an offer to take that first photo of you in front of your new home!