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Lynn...I am strictly a buyer..So my opinion is coming from a buyers point of view. I have purchased 3 homes in my lifetime...All 3 homes I had a different agent. The first 2 agents I had, left me with a bad feeling. They were lazy...Groaned when I asked to see properties....The first was very hard to reach by office phone or cell phone...Both took forever to return my calls....

The last home I purchased...The agent was wonderful...I like to call him a real go getter...He emailed me properties everyday...He called 2x a day...He hustled for me..Wrote really strong offers...Had a great sense of humor...and with his help I was able to close on an REO recently....He restored my faith in realtors...

So if I were you I would most definitely get an agent...BUT make sure to interview several to make sure that they are not just there to earn a paycheck..But to help you purchase a home...You might want to ask friends or co-workers if they know someone...My best friend told me about this last agent...He was the son of her childs teacher...The first 2 agents I found in the Yellow Pages...and I think this made a huge difference...

Lynn,

Yes, you can certainly approach the listing agent directly about the property Isn't this essentially what happens when you see a house with a "for sale" sign in front of it and you call the telephone number on it
Isn't this what you do when you go to an open house?

Personally, I would prefer having an agent in my corner.

Good luck,
The "Eckler Team"

Hi Lynn!

To answer your questions, No you don't have to have an agent represent you in purchasing a home. Yes, you can directly approach the listing agent. However, you should be aware that the listing agent represents the seller. His/Her best interest is with their client, the seller. Now don't misunderstand me, they should be honest and fair to you, but their first concern is their client. There could be information that would be helpful to you in coming up with an offering price, that the listing agent will not be able to disclose because of the confidentiality pack they have with the client, the seller. It is best (in my opinion) to have someone that works directly for you and has YOUR best interest in mind; someone that will go that extra mile for YOU to ensure you are getting exactly what you're looking for. That is how I run my business as a Realtor. I hope this is helpful. Good luck to you! Feel free to contact me, I am always available to help or answer more questions.

Rochelle Johnson, "The Consumer Realtor"
Coldwell Banker, Annapolis Plaza
(cell) 301-646-9888
(office) 410-224-2200

It's funny, if you ever throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one you hit always barks... In response to Lisa, just because I have a different viewpoint, I am obviously uninformed. Well, actually I am quite informed. I am a contractor and when I complete a job for someone, they have something tangible i've created. A realtor however offers nothing tangible in return for their services. I could easily toss more &$#@# against the wall, but selling a house requires little more than some computer work, hiring a company to install a sign, hiring another company to handle the showings... and waiting for someone to make an offer. In fact, I would be suprised if she ( or any other Maryland Realtors ) actually attend showings. I might ask Lisa, how many years of college did she attend studying real estate before she became a realtor? At least with an attorney, they have had 4 years to study and pass a pretty lengthy bar exam. The forms realtors use these days are normally provided by the broker in charge, or easily downloaded from one of any number of online services.

Take for example the simple equation... a 500,000 dollar home at a 6 percent commision rate generates... 30,000 dollars.. if the realtors split that in half... each generates 15,000!! not bad for a couple months work if you ask me....

this is like asking a lawyer if you need a lawyer.. realtors make more money than they are worth...

Hi Lynn: A Buyers Agent's job and legal duties are called fiduciary services to the buyer he/she is working with.. Before contacting the listing agent directly. . you should consider that you will be talking to the person tha the seller hired to get AS MUCH $$$ AS POSSIBLE for their house. . . not a good position to put yourself in. . .and the best part. A buyers agent does not cost you any money!

Absolutly you can approach the listing agent, they know the most about the property.

This is all great advice...you should have someone representing your interest...there is no or a minimal fee to you...usually under $200..to have FULL representation. It is important to obtain that representation BEFORE you view property..once you view a property through the listing agent it can potentially create a problem for you to have your own representation. Start with your own agent and loan officer that have your best interest in mind. Plus it makes your entire process easier...if you need a referral to a full time professional in your desired location, please let me know, I would be happy to provide you with names and numbers. Janet 443-688-6081

You don't have to have an agent but contacting the listing agent directly in all likelihood is not going to be in your best interest. The listing agent is representing the seller and he/she owes all their allegiance to the person they are representing. In Maryland, a single agent can't represent both a buyer and seller on a transaction. A brokerage can but an agent can't.

If you would like to discuss this further give me a call at 443-995-9595.

No you do not have to have an agent but it is a good idea to have your own agent. If you talk to the sellers agent remember anything you tell them is not confidential information. I am just curious why you would not want to have your own agent? Good luck on your purchase.
Kim

You don't HAVE to have an agent represent you in the purchase of your home, but why wouldn't you want the help? After all, it doesn't cost you anything. While you can directly approach the listing agent, you have to keep in mind that the agent in this case solely represents the seller. The listing agent cannot represent both sides in a transaction. While he or she represents the seller, they still have a duty to treat you fairly and honestly, but anything you divulge about your situation will be passed on to the seller and can be used to the seller's advantage. In fact, the listing agent has the obligation to tell his client anything you divulge that is significant to the possible sale. As I stated earlier, it doesn't cost you anything. That is because the listing agreement executed between the seller and the listing broker specifies how much of the commission will be offered to the buyer's broker. As such, the seller pay both agents' commissions. In a situation where the listing agent represents the seller and "assists" the buyer in the same transaction, then the listing agent gets the entire commission. However, the fact that the seller is paying the buyer's broker does not mean that the buyer's broker represents the seller. It is recommended that you employ your own agent to represent you and keep your interests, not the seller's interests, first and foremost. While the law varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, unless you have an exclusive buyers agent agreement with your agent, he is basically working on behalf of the seller as a sub-agent of the seller. One of the first thing any agent should divulge to you in any significant discussion of real estate is to explain how Agency works. And that is usually accompanied by a document that you have to acknowledge.

Even though you can directly approach the listing agent, in general it is better to have your own representation to ensure that your rights are protected and someone is truly looking out for your best interests. Anything the listing agent learns about you has to be shared with the seller -- you should be able to share confidential information such as your buying strategy or negotiating strategy with your agent without fear of having that shared with the seller. Call me if you need more specifics on how a buyer agent can help.

No you do not have to have an agent represent you as a buyer, but why wouldn't you? A listing agent is looking out for the best interest of the seller. They can not be looking out for the best interest of a buyer and a seller in the same transaction. The seller pays the buyers brokers fee. It is good to have someone always looking out for your best interest & guiding you through the process. I bought my first house without an agent & I did not have a home inspection. When I resold I found out that the previous owners had cut the trusses in the attic and I had to have an engineer come out and pay for the repairs. It was a costly mistake. Plus I know now, I could have paid less for the house, had some painting and repairs done. Buying a house is a stressful and confusing process. It is good to have an expert at your disposal! Feel free to contact me with any questions! Tanya T Lewis, Realtor 443-414-4002 tanya.lewis@mris.com

You do not need an agent to represent you; however the Listing Agent is representing the seller - NOT you and although they muct treat you fairly and cannot hide material defects in the property; they are not looking out for your best interests.

You should ALWAYS have your own agent. Sellers who have hired a listing agent, have agreed to pay both agents and if you do not have an agent - the listing agent gets both "sides" of the commission - and is not even representing you.

See my blog for more information: http://activerain.com/blogsview/173590/Top-5-Benefits-of

oh boy... you will get a ton of responses to this question! NO, you don't HAVE to... HOWEVER, in most cases the Seller has signed an Agreement that will pay their agent the full 6% REGARDLESS if you are represented by an Agent or not.

So why not take advantage of that 3% that's going out regardless if you have an Agent, and get yourself represented. The Seller's Agent can't represent the Seller and at the same time truly represent your interests.

I think it's very smart to find a Full time, experienced Agent who specializes in the market you are looking in.