Thank you for all the answers
I did end up going with a buyers agent.
My experience with buying a house has been mixed. The process was very smooth though i did feel pressured occasionally to make an offer probably in a hurry.My biggest problem was after we moved in the builder was a cheat or rather a man of little scruples, there were a lot of small things which we were promised will be fixed and he never got around to doing it and it has been a year now!! thought of taking him to court but the expense and effort of doing it myself is a lot less.I did talk to the agent who suggested that the only alternative is to take him to court. I feel i should have been warned by my agent that these may not be done and alternative would be to take the builder to court. Now if this was a big firm or a reputed builder i think it would have been easier which was my first thought on choosing a house but the agent convinced me that since the builder was a small time he would be more careful in preserving his reputaion.
BTW WARNING DONT BUY HOUSES FROM SCOTT SIMERLY around JC

Sree, you are absolutely correct. The agents that represent buyers well, explain their experience, explain the steps needed to navigate the buying process, and guard against the emotional highs and lows for you -- that truly work to *protect* their clients -- are worth far more than the price you pay.

This is a good venue to find a buyers agent. Look through their profile (click on their pictures). You can hear honest feedback from buyers in the marketplace (thank you to Case and Angie, and hopefully Dunes…), the professional agents who can help you directly, and pros who can comment from all over the country. Even guys like me who have no dog in the fight - I don’t happen to work in Johnson City.

After having been in the business, the factors that would affect my decision would be experience with the process (how many transactions total, how many last year), experience with technology (are they able to correspond at the speed you need from them) and energy (do they want to keep up with you, do they know how to find you the right home for your plans, do they work hard for you).

Did you end up finding the right agent for your first home purchase Sree?

Save 3% by going to the library and getting free "advice" from the "Pro"'s here.

I tried to buy a home without one; and it FAILED miserably! I had a family emergency, but there were also some issues with financing and changes in pricing, and all the difficulties of inspections, yadda, yadda, yadda....Not to mention the FACT THAT the fees come out of the FINAL PRICE YOU PAY THE SELLER, not an additional charge. IT IS YOUR AGENT'S JOB TO REPRESENT YOU AND MAKE YOU HAPPY! That doesn't mean they can get you a dream home for a dream and no money, of course! But they will help you! Get someone who feels right working with you when you go see homes. When you ask questions and if they will take their time to explain the process no matter what forms of financing and no matter what price ranges you are looking for, then....go for them! I found Century 21 to be the best ones, and Slater Auction. Both are excellent and will be good to you anywhere in the TriCities. They have agents who will show you houses in whatever price range you can afford. What is helpful is a prequalification letter from a lender. So save up a little money, think reasonably, and apply for a loan with a reputable company. Tell them what price range you're looking in, and then look for an agent. You'll be shocked at how smoothly things will sail at that point.
http://www.dannyslater.com/index_files/Page1131.htm

Hi Sree,

Ted makes a great point! Another designation to look for in your agent is “CBR” - Certified Buyer Representative® - as this allows consumers to identify a buyer agent who has been trained and who possesses the skills necessary to represent purchasers in a legal, ethical, and non-adversarial fashion. Those agents who have acquired this designation have demonstrated their commitment to full client level service to the buyer. They perform a level of diligence in the real estate transaction that is unparalleled in the industry. A designation less than 1% of Realtors have earned. Here is a link with a directory for your review. Best of luck to you! http://www.cbrsource.com/

Melissa Mancini, Realtor, CBR, GRI

Excellent question! Asking trusted friends, family and co-workers for a good referral is usually the best place to start. I recommend that whomever you hire to be an experienced agent familair with the area of interest and preferrably one who holds an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) designation. To learn more, visit the link below.

Having an agent represent you as a buyer offers more advantages than most people realize. There are so many steps in the home buying process that it can get hairy when you are unfamiliar with all of the aspects of real estate, financing, and legal components of a purchase. A good, reputable agent that offers commits to educate you & guide you with honesty and integrity along the way is the best advantage any buyer can have. Finding one is not always easy. You are already making a wise choice by communicating with realtors and asking questions. If you have a referral from someone you know or another agent, it is a good first step in finding the right agent for you. There is a report on my website that offers advice about questions to ask a realtor when considering who to represent you. You can find that report at http://www.deckardteam.com/10questions.htm.

If you are looking to purchase in the Nashville area, I would be glad to help you discover what we offer as agents to our clients. If you are purchasing somewhere else in Tennessee, we work with some of the most loyal and client-oriented agents in the area.

Best Wishes for a finding an agent that meets your needs!

April Deckard
Keller Williams Realty
615-364-4381
april@deckardteam.com http://www.deckardteam.com

The best way to find a Buyer's Agent is to speak to other friends and relatives that have purchased or sold real estate. Persnal references are a great way to find an agent that you'll be comfortable with. My company is affiliated with a large national relocation network. If you're unable to find a Buyer's Agent through personal sources, I'd be happy to refer you to a reputable agent in the area you desire. Please let me know if I can assist you.

MillyBurleson@cox.net