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FSBOs normally dont let buyers agents in. So that was a lucky break.
Most FSBOs do welcome buyer's agents and do pay commission. If you look at any FSBO website you'll see that notation, and a usual commission is 2.5-3%. So, if a buyer is looking at a FSBO house, it's well worth it to bring along an agent especially if the buyer is not comfortable with doing negotiations with the FSBO seller or if the buyer isn't an experienced buyer and unfamiliar with the process of contracts, due diligence, and all the responsibilities that are the buyer's.
Plenty of good advice and reasons, but also keep in mind that, "researching houses and listings online," is not as comprehensive or accurate as the MLS access that a licensed realtor has. Sites like realtor.com and Zillow et al. are good starting points to get an idea of an area and the real estate market, but a local buyer's agent will know the market and be a step ahead on availability of properties.
As a buyer, there really isn't any loss or risk to you. Just be sure to interview and ensure you are happy with your chosen agent before signing anything!
I'm always confused as to why someone doesn't want to use a professional to assist in their home search. It costs you nothing as the buyer, so why not?! I'm having a home built and I moved here from up north so I wasn't completely familiar with the area. My agent took me to neighborhoods that fit the criteria I gave her, instead of me running around or doing tons of research by myself. She walked model homes, spec homes and lots (and there were many!), pointed out things and asked questions I probably wouldn't have thought of, plus any questions I had for the new home agent or regarding finance questions, she took care of for me. She even caught a mistake that neither I and the nor the sales agent did not, saving me a few thousand dollars!
Get someone you feel comfortable with to represent YOU! I'd recommend my agent to anyone looking in North or South Carolina in a heart beat. It's been a great experience.
I'm always confused as to why someone doesn't want to use a professional to assist in their home search. It costs you nothing as the buyer, so why not?! I'm having a home built and I moved here from up north so I wasn't completely familiar with the area. My agent took me to neighborhoods that fit the criteria I gave her, instead of me running around or doing tons of research by myself. She walked model homes, spec homes and lots (and there were many!), pointed out things and asked questions I probably wouldn't have thought of, plus any questions I had for the new home agent or regarding finance questions, she took care of for me. She even caught a mistake that neither I and the nor the sales agent did not, saving me a few thousand dollars!
Get someone you feel comfortable with to represent YOU! I'd recommend my agent to anyone looking in North or South Carolina in a heart beat. It's been a great experience.
If you read the OP, they wanted to save the cost of what would be charged for a buyer's agent and have it applied to the purchase price. It was explained that it wouldn't make a difference if she used one or not.
I can understand someone wanting to save 3% on a home, that's quite bit of money. Especially since an attorney is a fourth of that cost. But it is what it is, so I do suggest using a buyer's agent.
Plenty of good advice and reasons, but also keep in mind that, "researching houses and listings online," is not as comprehensive or accurate as the MLS access that a licensed realtor has. Sites like realtor.com and Zillow et al. are good starting points to get an idea of an area and the real estate market, but a local buyer's agent will know the market and be a step ahead on availability of properties.
As a buyer, there really isn't any loss or risk to you. Just be sure to interview and ensure you are happy with your chosen agent before signing anything!
The risk to anyone buying is that the salespeople will steer you their people who, if you read the many other threads, regret being led around the process without any true represtation resulting in unexpected repairs after the commissions have been paid.
I think the question is whether you can afford not to use a real estate lawyer to protect the buyer, or sellers, interests while negotiating one of the largest purchases most families make in their life. Anyone selling anything knows they must factor into the price the cost of making a sale. If you buy a can of coffee at the store you are paying everyone else in the food chain who handled the product. In accounting it is called the cost of goods sold. Selling a house is the same, the cost to the seller to pay a salesperson their outrageous commission is shifted to the buyer. This also happens when you own a mutual fund, expenses are paid out before you are paid your share. Charges, such as taxes and commissions, are taken from the fund/sale before your distributions are made. Who pays the commission is always the buyer who pays more than they would have without a salesperson being involved. It is the cost of the sale to the seller passed along to the buyer.
A good buyer agent can negotiate for you his cost and then some...
That agent is protection and assurance for you that you are making a good deal, like or not we all benefit from good professional help.
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