Do I Need a Buyer's Agent to Make an Offer?

Today's buyers have many ways to find properties.

You may discover a home through:

• Online real estate searches

• Brokerage websites

• Listing portals

• Social media

• Open houses

• Driving through neighborhoods

• Friends or family

• A property you already know about

Finding a property does not necessarily mean you have to use the same person or service that helped you locate it for every part of the transaction.

Once you decide you want to purchase a property, the process changes.

You may need to address:

• Purchase price

• Earnest money

• Financing

• Inspection provisions

• Appraisal provisions

• Closing costs

• Closing and possession dates

• Contingencies

• Contract deadlines

• Negotiations with the seller

A licensed real estate professional may help a buyer understand and navigate the transaction, including preparing or reviewing an offer, communicating with the seller or listing agent, negotiating terms, managing deadlines, and helping coordinate the transaction.

The specific services available depend on the professional, the agreement between the buyer and xprofessional, and state law.

For buyers who are comfortable finding properties independently, the home-search portion of the process may not be where they want assistance.

Instead, they may want professional help once they have found a property they are seriously considering.

That can mean getting help with the offer and the transaction without relying on a professional toconduct the buyer's entire home search.

The seller's listing agent represents the seller, subject to the agency arrangement and applicablestate law.

A buyer should understand who represents whom before discussing confidential information, negotiating, or relying on advice from a real estate professional.

Agency relationships and rules vary by state.

An offer can contain many terms beyond the amount offered.

Depending on the transaction, those terms may include:

• Earnest money
• Inspection rights
• Financing provisions
• Appraisal provisions
• Seller-paid costs
• Closing date
• Possession
• Contingencies
• Other negotiated terms

A professional can help explain how those pieces fit together.

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Some buyers want extensive guidance from the beginning of the home search through closing.

Others are comfortable finding properties independently but want professional assistance with the transaction itself.

Neither approach changes the fact that a real estate purchase involves contracts, deadlines, negotiations, and financial decisions that deserve careful attention.

If you already know how you want to search for homes, you may not need someone to do that part for you.

JustTheOffer.com is designed for buyers who want to take control of their home search while getting professional assistance when it is time to make and negotiate the offer.