It's simple really. Get a Buyer's agent to represent YOU. Sometimes a home search turns out to be harder than you thought; suppose the home you are interested in now turns out not to work out. What then? First step is to talk to an agent about what you want. You'll get a good idea whether you can work well together.

I have to agree with the previous posts. It could only help for you to interview several agents and find out how they can benefit you. As I often say, ask friends, family, colleagues for recommendations of agents/brokers they have worked with recently and been pleased with the results. There are also alot of great agents here on Trulia. You might also see if your employer has any relationships with brokerages. When you interview them ask about their experience, what their compensation is, types & terms of contracts they offer. There can be a good bit of details that need attention. See how you get along with them, what types of communication they use, if they can understand your needs & wants especially in regards to a certain property type. Ask them how they would recommend going about your purchase and how they can assist you. Take alot of notes.

Alot will be your level of comfort with them and will they be as responsive as you need/want. Google them, check out what others say about them, past clients, online reviews etc. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau, Massachusetts Office of Professional Licence etc.

Once you have this research you'll have a better idea if you could/should proceed on your own with the listing agent or use the services of a buyers agent. Some buyers are perfectly able to represent themselves in a home purchase, I would absolutely encourage the use of an attorney in this case. It's always best to do the research & make an informed decision. It can be an exciting and joyful time as well as trying and stressful. A buyers agent can be beneficial with their experience in dealing with the issues & situations that can develop.

I hope that helps, check back and let us know how you make out,

Jackson
I would suggest that you look at buying a home as a project. Once you've decided that now is the time to buy, you need to plan so you can buy the best home for the best price.

I encourage you to talk with some Realtors and find one with whom you can establish a relationship. Then sit down and map out a plan, outlining your needs, wants, budget, etc.

Why is this important?

How would you feel if you bought this home that you like, and you paid more than it was worth?

How would you feel if after buying this home you found another home that was a better deal?

The advantages of working with a buyer's agent:
1. Market knowledge - what is a home worth
2. Market inventory - what homes are on the market that might meet your needs
3. Negotiating skill - you want the very best deal, right?
4. Impartial advocate - a great Realtor will put your interests FIRST and tell you the truth
5. Low cost of representation - in most cases you pay nothing for a Realtor to represent you

Good luck.

I get calls twice a week from people who decided to go direct with the listing agent thinking it would faster, easier and get them a better deal only to find out too late that the listing agent is legally obligated to the seller and therefore cant give the buyer any pricing or negotiating advice that may be in conflict with the sellers needs. And of course it is always in conflict with the sellers needs because the seller wants the highest price and the buyer wants the lowest price. The point is, i can promise you will be disappointed if you work directly with the listing agent - or simply pay too much. Our two calls this week from unhappy buyers turned into new clients ... If you want, i would be happy to put you in contact with one of them if it helps make your decision.

We also provide a low price guarantee on any home ... Read how it works here:
http://www.territoryre.com/getstarted.php
Not only do we protect home buyer's interests but we also help them save thousands.

reach out to us any time: help@territoryre.com or 617-848-5407 extension 704

Massachusetts has Buyer Agency, which means you can and should have an agent represent you. It doesn't cost you anything, and you have someone who is looking out for your best interest. Your buyer agent can show you any home on MLS, and usually FSBO properties as well.

If you don't know an agent, you can check with friends or co-workers for a reference. Or if you are interested, I cover the area of Chelmsford, Westford, Acton, and all the little towns nearby, if that's your search area.

Good luck with your home search,

Deb

Since the listing agent works for the seller. I would suggest getting a buyer agent.

If you want buyer representation to look out for your best interest it is advisable to locate a buyers agent that has knowledge of that locality. If you have a trusted realtor where you live, they should be able to help you locate a reliable realtor in the area you are interested in. Another way is to go on the web site of a broker you know and have respect for, and connect with a realtor in that brokerage. A web search of properties in your target area may help you identify which broker is most active there, and thus increases your odds of getting a knowledgeable agent for that locality. Going it alone has some protections for you if you deal with the sellers agent, but you would need to know something about the real estate process to best protect your own interests. The sellers agent has obligations to you as the buyer, but works for and represents the seller. Any number of sites can provide information about how to buy a home, and a web search there will help in the learning process. In the long run, finding a knowledgeable agent is your best protection in the transaction.