Why Use A Buyers Representative in Idaho

Why you need your own agent/broker when buying Idaho homes and real estate...

The Search Phase. An agent/broker,who is also a Realtor, is essential to your success- especially in the search for homes and real estate for sale. We are your link to access the world's best database of homes for sale- the local MLS. We can save you many hours searching the internet, using our powerful MLS search technology to focus on the property that meets ALL of your requirements- not only your specific needs and location, but also financing requirements and time-line for moving.

For example, if you're going VA, FHA or Idaho Housing, there are many homes that may not meet the minimum property standards for these programs and we can filter them out. Maybe your lease is up in 2 months- a short sale might take months longer and you may not want to consider those. Maybe you need a single level, main level master bedroom or a certain school district. We can automatically send you only those homes.

The Showing Phase. Once you are pre-qualified for financing, you can start looking at homes for sale. An agent/broker with an MLS key has access to all homes listed by Realtors and can arrange private showings. While showing the home, an experienced agent should be knowledgable about the local housing market and help you to identify the pros and cons of each home: age, condition, design, location, quality, utility, re-sale issues, value, etc. Thanks to technology, your agent can also provide tax records, neighborhood histories, recent comparable sales, estimates of your payment and closing costs- everything you need to make informed decisions.

The Offer Phase. Once you've found the home that best meets your needs, your Realtor has the best forms in the real estate business to help you buy it. Constantly updated to the changing market, our forms are built to protect the buyer and seller and provide the framework for a successful transaction. Your agent/broker also should know how to put you in the strongest bargaining position, how to protect buyers with financing and inspection contingencies, help you get the best price and possibly get the seller to pay your closing costs.

The Closing Phase. Once an offer has been accepted by the seller, your agent/broker typically does many things to help you fulfill the terms of the contract and move you toward closing. 1) Sending copies of the contract to the lender and closing agent. 2) Arranging and providing access for your home inspector. 3) Helping you re-nogotiate with the seller, if any hidden defects are found in the inspection. 4) Notifying your lender to order the appraisal, once the inspection phase is complete. 5) Again helping you negotiate repairs, should the appraiser require any. 6) Providing access for your final walk-through to ensure repairs are complete and the property is in the same condition as when you made your offer. 7) Making the appointment, attending your closing and handing you the keys. 8) Reminding you to switch utilities into your name and file for your homeowner's exmption with the county, if applicable.

These are just a few of the tasks an agent/broker can do for you. Holding your agent to the highest legal standard in protecting your interests depends on the next question.

Buyers in Idaho can choose to be a customer or a client of a licensed real estate agent/broker. Regardless, the seller pays your agent in most cases, but there are major differences in both the level of service and accountability.

As a customer, the agent/broker does not represent you. (Also called a non-agent.) Idaho law requires licensees to provide a basic level of service to all customers:

As a customer, your brokerage will not act as your agent and is not required to promote your best interests or keep you bargaining information confidential. Unless you have a written agreement for representation, you will remain a customer.

As a client, the agent/broker does represent you and, in addition to those owed to customers, owes you the following duties when working for you:

Signing a representation agreement does not commit you to buying! Nor does it cost you anything, since agents are paid by the seller in most cases. If not, you should always know before signing an offer.

When to hire an agent... Choosing an agent to represent you should be the first step before looking at any property and maybe before you apply for a loan, if you need a recommendation. Your agent will help you get pre-qualified for financing, help you search for suitable property and set up showings on those of interest. In my opinion, you do not want the listing agent showing the property for the following reasons...

Listing agents work for the seller and cannot fully represent both the seller and buyer's interests. A brokerage may represent both the buyer and seller in the same transaction. This is called Limited Dual Agency- the key word is "limited". A brokerage may also assign one agent for each party, while representing both. It gets very complicated, but in simple terms, you need to know who is working for you.

Who should you call for a showing? It's your choice, but the listing agent must report to the seller anything you say about your qualifying, your opinions of the value, your motivations and anything else that could help the seller in negotiations.

Realtors provide an extra set of benefits.
In Idaho, a licensed agent/broker may not necessarily be a Realtor. Members of the Realtor organization are held to even higher standards when working for you, including meeting Standards of Practice and a Code of Ethics and subject to review, arbitration and sanctions by the local board.

Realtors also have access to the ultimate source of homes for sale, the MLS, and the best search technology, saving you countless hours on the internet. Realtors also protect you with the best and most comprehensive real estate forms for buying & selling real estate.

Do I have the credentials, experience and references to qualify to be interviewed?

I have 20+ years experience as a full-time real estate agent/broker with many letters behind my name. These are designations earned through education- Accredited Buyer's Representative, Certified Residential Specialist and Graduate of the Realtor Institute. I've also participated in nearly 50 million dollars worth of residential sales representing hundreds of buyers and sellers. I can provide many personal references.

Please allow me to interview for the job of representing you in your next purchase.

Dan was the perfect fit for us. We recently purchased our first house, and Dan's knowledge & experience were invaluable to us every step of the way.

The seller accepted the price of our first offer, paid most of our closing costs, added landscaping & a complete fence, and we closed in less than 3 weeks. It was much less painful that we expected, and Dan made it happen.

Dan's help wasn't just helpful, it was NECESSARY. In addition to the services provided by most Realtors, the services Dan performed for us included his expert local market analysis, a technical (& practical) review of the home inspection, helpful hints and tips for first time homeowners (things we can do to lengthen the life of our new home - things we never would've thought of on our own), and keeping us from going insane as we waited for a response to our offer. Dan is a great communicator, he understands the process of buying (and selling) a home, and he obviously knows the business of real estate in the Treasure Valley. We definitely will continue to recommend Dan to anyone looking to buy (or sell) a home. We love our new home, and we LOVE the deal we got, thanks to Dan!

THANKS DAN!

Josh & Jennie (Meridian, Idaho)

	Repoman- Dan Rowe ABR CRS GRI, Broker, Realtor®
	*Home* I *Contact* I *FREE LOCAL MLS SEARCH*

Why Use A Buyer Rep