Who's Your Agent?

More often than you’d expect, homeowners refer to the person they bought their insurance from as their agent. It sounds reasonable but it is definitely not accurate. That person is the agent of the insurance company and they legally represent the company, not the customer. Even an independent agent who can place a policy with different companies is still an agent of the company.

A mortgage officer, in most cases is an employee and represents the company. And the same is true for a title or escrow officer. It’s important to understand the actual relationship to know what you can expect from them. Any businessperson who wants to stay in business must treat their customers fairly and with a high degree of service. As a customer, you should be able to reasonably expect honesty and accountability. The difference is that employees owe their loyalty to their employer and agents owe their loyalty to their principal.

An agent owes more than just honesty and accountability. The principal can expect complete disclosure, obedience, loyalty, reasonable skill and care and confidentiality from their agent. This advocacy is very beneficial during the buying or selling process to coordinate all aspects of the transaction. The agent can bring valuable experience to your side of the transaction to provide confidence that your best interests are being represented from start to finish.

Most states have a recognized procedure for the real estate professional to create a formal relationship between themselves and a buyer or seller. This requires a fiduciary/statutory responsibility that places the principals’ interests above the agent’s own personal interests.

In Massachusetts real estate brokers and salespeople/agents are required to provide consumers the Massachusetts Mandatory Licensee-Consumer Relationship Disclosure form at the first personal meeting with you to discuss a specific property. The form explains the types of agency an agent can provide. Although, this has been mandatory for years, many buyers who have looked at properties with other agents often tell me they have never seen the form! Consumers have a right to know who an agent represents.

Additionally, while a home seller is required to sign a written agreement in order to list their home for sale with a REALTOR (member of the National Association of Realtors), it is also in a buyer's best interest to have a written agreement with an agent who is going to represent them as a buyer agent. It clarifies expectations so there are no surprises or misunderstanding about responsibilities and makes for a less stressful transaction. Click for more information about buyer agency

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About the author: Marilyn Messenger is a local real estate broker associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company, Concord. She has been representing buyers and sellers in Concord, Wayland, Sudbury, Maynard, and the towns west of Boston since 1993. She is a Certified Residential Specialist (less than 4% of Realtors have achieved the CRS® designation), an Accredited Buyer Representative and is an active member of the Real Estate Buyer Agency Council. Messenger is also a Certified Luxury Homes Marketing Specialist and a Million Dollar Guild Member. Visit www.MarilynMessenger.com

The Gift of Home Tax-free!

December is not only when we give gifts to our loved-ones for the holidays but it's also the time to review tax-saving options for 2019 and plan for 2020 and what could be a better gift than tax-free help with a down-payment for a new home?

Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even friends can start to pass along/gifting their estates while reducing inheritance taxes and getting to see their family enjoy the benefits of their gift

Under current IRS guidelines (please consult your accountant for tax advice and ramifications) each

parent or relative can give up to $15,000 to each child or relative every year. That would mean that a mother and father can each give $15,000 a year to each son, daughter, and/or grandchild that would amount to $30,000 a year in total per couple for each person that you gift.

If both sets of parents want to help with the down-payment on a house; each of the parents can give each borrower a gift of $15,000 per year. That would add up to $60,000 for both of you! That is a significant amount of tax-free money to help you buy a home for your family! Of course, a gift can also be less than $15,000, so give what you can.

That amount is per calendar year and not based on every twelve months. That would mean that they could give $60,000 (or more) in December 2019 and an additional $60,000 (or more) in January

2020. With less than one-month left , this is the time to bring up the subject with your family. What could make them happier than helping you buy a house and saving money on taxes?

For most types of mortgage loans, you will need to have 5% of the amount of the down-payment on your own, however, there are exceptions. To find out the exceptions and details about how gift money can be applied to your down-payment contact a reputable mortgage broker.

More about tax-free gifts and life-time limits: https://smartasset.com/retirement/gift-tax-limits

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About the author: Marilyn Messenger, a licensed real estate broker, Certified Residential Specialist, and Accredited Buyer Representative, and Certified Luxury Homes Marketing Specialist is associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company in Concord has been representing home buyers and sellers in Wayland, Sudbury, Maynard, Stow, and Concord MA since 1993. www.MarilynMessenger.com for more. Visit www.marilynmessenger.com to see homes for sale, get the latest real estate market reports, and learn about having your own buyer agent on your side.

The Gift of Home Saves Taxes!

Holiday time is when people get together with family and friends, to exchange gifts and talk about plans for future which often include buying or selling a house. It’s also year-end and a good time to think about estate planning and taxes. Did you know that parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even friends can start to pass along/gifting their estates while reducing inheritance taxes and getting to see their family enjoy the benefits of their gifts? What could be a better gift than tax-free help with a down-payment on a home?

NOTE: The following information was provided by a loan officer, however you should always talk

with a tax expert and financial adviser about your specific goals and financial situation.

Gifts are involved in approximately 25% of all of the mortgage loans that are transacted. Gifts from family members and relatives are allowed under IRS and lending guidelines but lenders do not report the parties involved to the IRS.

Under current IRS guidelines (please consult your accountant for tax advice and ramifications) each parent or relative can give up to $14,000 to each child or relative every year. That would mean that a mother and father can each give $14,000 a year to each son, daughter, and/or grandchild that would amount to $28,000 a year in total. If both sets of parents want to help with the down-payment on a house; each of the parents can give each borrower a gift of $14,000 per year. That would add up to $56,000 for both of you! That is a significant amount of tax-free money to help you buy a home for your family! Of course, a gift can also be less than $14,000, so give what you can.

That amount is per calendar year and not based on every twelve months. That would mean that they could give $56,000 (or more) in December 2017 and an additional $56,000 (or more) in January 2018. With only on month left in 2017, this is the time to bring up the subject with your family. What could make them happier than helping you buy a house and saving money on taxes?

For most types of mortgage loans, you will need to have 5% of the amount of the down-payment on your own, however, there are exceptions. To find out the exceptions and details about how gift money can be applied to your down-payment contact a reputable mortgage broker.

Visit www.marilynmessenger.com to see homes for sale, get the latest real estate market reports, and learn about having your own buyer agent on your side. 
--------------------------------------
About the author: Marilyn Messenger, a licensed real estate broker, Certified Residential Specialist, and Accredited Buyer Representative associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company in Concord has been representing home buyers and sellers in Wayland, Sudbury, Maynard, Stow, and Concord MA since 1993. www.MarilynMessenger.com for more. 

Home Buying and Selling: Who Works For You?

More often than you’d expect, homeowners refer to the person they bought their insurance from as their agent. It sounds reasonable but it’s definitely not accurate. That person is the agent of the insurance company and they legally represent the company, not the customer. Even an independent agent who can place a policy with different companies is still an agent of the company.

A mortgage officer, in most cases is an employee and represents the company. And the same is true for a title or escrow officer. It’s important to understand the actual relationship to know what you can expect from them. Any business person who wants to stay in business must treat their customers fairly and with a high degree of service. As a customer, you should be able to reasonably expect honesty and accountability. The difference is that employees owe their loyalty to their employer and agents owe their loyalty to their principal.

An agent owes more than just honesty and accountability. The principal can expect complete disclosure, obedience, loyalty, reasonable skill and care and confidentiality from their agent. This advocacy is very beneficial during the buying or selling process to coordinate all aspects of the transaction. The agent can bring valuable experience to your side of the transaction to provide confidence that your best interests are being represented from start to finish.

Most states have a recognized procedure for the real estate professional to create a formal relationship between themselves and a buyer or seller. This requires a fiduciary/statutory responsibility that places the principals’ interests above the agent’s own personal interests.

In Massachusetts real estate brokers and salespeople/agents are required to provide consumers the Massachusetts Mandatory Licensee-Consumer Relationship Disclosure form at the first personal meeting with you to discuss a specific property. The form explains the types of agency an agent can provide. Although, this has been mandatory for years, many buyers who have looked at properties with other agents often tell me they have never seen the form! Consumers have a right to know who an agent represents.


Additionally, while a home seller is required to sign a written agreement in order to list their home for sale with a REALTOR (member of the National Association of Realtors), it is also in a buyer's best interest to have a written agreement with an agent who is going to represent them as a buyer agent. It clarifies expectations so there are no surprises or misunderstanding about responsibilities and makes for a less stressful transaction. More about buyer agency...
 -------------------------------------------

 About the author: Marilyn Messenger  is a local broker associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company, Concord. She has been representing buyers and sellers in Concord, Wayland, Sudbury, Maynard, and the towns west of Boston since 1993. She is a Certified Residential Specialist (less than 4% of Realtors have achieved the CRS® designation), an Accredited Buyer Representative and is an active member of the Real Estate Buyer Agency Council. Messenger is also a Certified Luxury Homes Marketing Specialist and a Million Dollar Guild Member. Visit www.MarilynMessenger.com.  

New Construction - Common Misconceptions

Everyone Loves New Construction!

Builder confidence is up! New single-family homes and condominiums are finally being built again and what’s better than having everything shiny and new, built with state-of-the art materials, energy efficient systems and appliances, and everything to fit the way you live, work, and play?

Given the choice, a lot of home buyers would prefer to purchase a new home than a house that someone else has lived in; especially buyers who don’t have the time, interest, or money for repairing or renovating a house that someone has lived in.

Whether you are a first-time buyer, moving-up, down-sizing/right-sizing, or someone who has bought and sold multiple times, if you have not purchased new construction before or you did it along time ago, you may have some misconceptions about buying new construction. Here are a few common misconceptions about new construction.

Expectations
The biggest misconception about new construction is that because it’s new, it will be perfect! New houses are built by people and we all know that people are never perfect. A new house can have defects just like a resale. While home buyers expect and even look for things to be wrong with an older house that has been lived in, they don’t expect any issues in new house. Realistic expectations are important when buying any house so remember, there is no such thing as perfect!

Selections and Upgrades
One of the most fun things about buying a new home is that you get to pick out flooring, cabinets, counter-tops, appliances, tile, fixtures, etc. and have everything color-coordinated, up-to-date and just the way you want it. With so many choices it’s easy to get carried away with making selections that are so trendy that you may grow tired of them in a short-time. And, it’s also easy to pay for extra for upgrades that you may not need and that really don’t add value.

While it’s nice to have everything done at the same time by the builder, sometimes waiting and getting things done later on your own can be a better and more cost effective choice. If you decide to buy upgrades, buy for own enjoyment and don’t expect that you will get your money back when you sell. What you sell for will depend on the market at the time and as soon as you move-in, your new home becomes used! Buy what you like, don’t over-personalize and don’t do anything because you think it will be a money-maker later especially if you are buying in a large development of similar homes.

Home Inspections
A lot of people have the misconception that they don’t need to do a home inspection when buying new construction because everything is new, under warranty, and you’ll do a final walk-through and prepare a punch-list of items that the builder will fix.

Having a home inspection is just as important for a new house as for a resale. Remember, new is not perfect and there may be items that weren’t installed or not connected properly, etc. A walk-through is not the same as a thorough inspection by a professional home inspector. Buying a home is a big investment; don’t be “penny-wise and pound foolish.” Also, make sure you know exactly what items are under warranty and for how long!

Non-Negotiable
That builders/developers don’t negotiate is another misconception about buying new construction. This is something that home buyers are led to believe by the on-site salesperson who represents the builder, and while most buyers would never accept that premise if they were buying a resale property, for some reason they believe it about new builds.

Builders are like every other seller and whether or not they will negotiate depends on a number of variables – the market, the size of the development, how far along the project is, how qualified you are, which items you want to negotiate about – price, terms, features, etc. Like every other seller, some builders are easier and friendlier and more financially stable than others; some are good business people and know when it pays to be flexible and others just dig in.

On-Site Sales
Another great thing about about buying new construction is that builders make it so easy to buy by building sales models and having an on-site agent/salesperson to help you.

The most important misconception that buyers have about new construction is that they cannot have or don't need a buyer agent/broker on their side. While the majority of home-buyers know that it makes sense to have their own buyer agent represent them and they want a professional whose fiduciary responsibility is to work on their behalf to get them the best deal, help them understand their options in the local market, help them do their due diligence, and negotiate on their behalf when they are buying a resale, many still think that when buying a new home it's OK to go directly to the on-site agent/salesperson and do whatever that seller's agent tells them to.

Unfortunately, too many buyers don't even think about getting their own representation until they've already been to the site, talked with the on-site seller's rep, given up a lot of personal and financial information, and decided to buy. And by then, it's too late!

Yes, you can have your own buyer agent and buying a new house does not take away your right to representation. The majority of new homes are listed on MLS (multiple listing service) just like resale listings, and the listings include an offer of cooperation and compensation to buyer agents. The builder will pay your agent's fee out of the proceeds of the sale, the same as any other seller!

BUT, some new construction seller agents will often include a note on the MLS that buyers do not see that stipulates "buyer agent MUST be present at the first showing." There's the catch! They know that buyers drive around and will often stop at a model home "just to look" and the next thing they decide to buy. On-site agents do not want buyers to have a buyer agent on their side; the seller's agent want to control the buying so they can maximize profits for the builder (and themselves!) I have had buyers tell me that they were told that they could not have a buyer agent because they came to the site without their agent.

Take away
If you already have an agreement with a buyer agent to represent you, make sure you do not go to any new construction sites without your agent.

If you are thinking about buying new construction and do not have a buyer agent, get one before you visit any new construction sites and before you talk with anyone on-site. That way when you decide to buy, you will have a agent on your side! By the way, make sure your agent knows the area and has experience as a buyer agent for new construction.

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About the author: Marilyn Messenger is a licensed broker, Certified Residential Specialist, and Accredited Buyer Representative, associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company in Concord MA. She has been representing new construction home-buyers in Sudbury, Wayland, Maynard, Stow, and the towns west of Boston since 1993. Her clients have purchased new single-family homes, luxury properties and condominiums from both local and national builders. Her experience experience on a local Planning Board, Zoning Board, and board member of an HOA has been especially helpful to her new construction clients. Visit www.marilynmessenger.com for more.

Time for a Condo?

Time for a Condo?

Owning a home can be a lot of work especially when you live in Massachusetts! Anyone who lived here during the winter of 2015 remembers the seemingly never-ending snow storm after snow storm! With a foot in some places last week and blizzard warnings for the next two days, here we go again! After the snow is done, there's fixing the roof, repairing the siding, landscaping - there's always something...

First-time buyers at Oak Ridge, Maynard

Condominium living is exactly the right lifestyle for a lot of people. If you are a first time home buyer, you can generally get more living space for the same price as a single-family home, developments tend to be newer, and some offer amenities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness centers.

If you’re just too busy or not interested in working around the house, owning a condo may be for you; the exterior maintenance is taken care of by the homeowner association so you don’t have to be concerned about painting, landscaping, snow plowing, roof replacement, etc. – the benefits of home ownership without the work!

A lot of empty-nesters also like the idea of simplifying and having someone else take care of things. Wouldn’t it be nice to just lock the door and go somewhere warm next winter without having to worry about anything? Sounds perfect if you’re someone who wants easy living; doesn’t mind having close neighbors; is OK with letting other people make decisions for you or is willing to volunteer to be on the Homeowners Association Board. You won’t mind trading some personal freedoms in return for convenience, right?

“There are no exceptions to the rule that everybody likes to be an exception to the rule.” Charles Osgood

Buyers know that condominiums/homeowner associations have rules that govern the community and offers to purchase a condominium should include a contingency that says the offer is subject to satisfactory review/acceptance of all documents… Most HOA (Home Owner association) rules are pretty standard, and your attorney can tell you which ones you can expect to find in most places, however, communities can and do amend the rules over the years so rules can vary. Parking and pets seem to be the biggest issues but there may also be rules holiday decorations, gardening, decks, facility usage; bicycle and baby carriage storage, any selling or rental restrictions – these days many developments will not allow investors … Some associations dictate what vendors you can use to replace the windows – yes, units owners are often responsible for windows, doors; know what you will be responsible for.

"Active Adults" at their detached townhouse in Hudson

The lender will review the budget and send a questionnaire asking about the overall well being of the development – i.e. number of owner occupied units, if there are any pending lawsuits, special assessments; but as the buyer, it is really important for YOU to read the rules. Only you can know if you’ll be comfortable living by the rules that govern the condo development you’ll be sharing; and the best time to do that is before you make an offer. Once you accept the condominium rules (or not) you can move forward and enjoy the lifestyle that’s right for you!

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About the author: Marilyn Messenger, a licensed real estate broker, Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) associated with Andrew Mitchell in Concord, has sold dozens of condominiums and townhouses (new and resale units) in Sudbury, Wayland, Maynard, Concord, and the towns west of Boston since 1993. As a condominium/townhouse owner and former Board of Trustees Member of a 155 unit complex, she knows how first-hand about buying and selling condominiums and about condo living. Ask Marilyn at 508-596-3501 or marilynmessenger@realtor.com. Search for homes at www.MarilynMessenger.com 

Single-family condo at 9 Ingham Lane Concord - Sold for $895,100

Under Contract - Deer Hedge Run Townhouse Maynard

   

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Wayland Home Sales Up 38.6%!

SOLD - 32 Pequot Road Wayland -WaylandHomeSales.com

Current 2/13/2016:  There are currently 23 single-family homes for sale in Wayland. Last year at this time there were 30. List prices for current listings in Wayland range from $269,900 to $6,900,000. The median list price of $1,549,900 is higher than last year at this time when the median list price was $1,187,000. See homes for sale in Wayland.

Y-T-D Pending Sales as of 2/13/2016: 23 single family homes have pending sales including 11 that have accepted offers and are waiting for contingencies to clear. The median list price for sales pending was $739,000. Actual sale prices will be available in approximately 60 days when the sales close.

December Closed Sales: There were 16 closed sales in December, up from 10 in December 2014. The median sale price of $618,000; up 9.6% from December 2014.

2015 Closed Sales: There were 183 closed sales of single-family houses in Wayland during 2015; up 38.6% from 2014. The median sale price for the year was $705,000; up 3.1% from the 2014. 206 single-family houses were 252 listed in 2015 compared with 206 in 2014. 

Price Adjustments/Expired Listings: Even in the most active market properties that are not priced correctly will not sell and prices must be adjusted/reduced. There were 198 price adjustments on 112 single-family properties in Wayland during 2015; the average adjustment was -8.2%.

Expired Listings: There were 33 homes that were listed for sale and expired/did not sell during their listing contract period. These “expired listings” were on the market for an average of 226 days. Some of them came back on the market and are either still active or have been sold.

Condominiums (including garden-apartments and townhouses): Currently, there are 12 condominium units for sale in Wayland. Prices range from $459,000 for a townhouse at Stoneridge Village, to $1,179,000 for a 12 room luxury townhouse at The Field at Mainstone. New construction townhouses at Craftsman Village start at $759,900.

Buyers, you are entitled to have your own buyer agent/broker represented you when you buy new construction. You do not need to work with the builder’s agent, however, your agent must accompany you to the first showing, even if it is “just to look” or get information. If you are looking for easy living see condominiums for sale in Wayland and the nearby towns west of Boston.

                                                      



Five Miles Astride the River: The Story of Wayland from Pelham Island Pictures on Vimeo.

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About the author: Marilyn Messenger, is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), and licensed real estate broker is associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company. She has been selling residential properties in Wayland and towns west of Boston since 1993. Marilyn's knowledge and experience helps her clients accomplish their housing goals in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of stress. www.WaylandHomeSales.com

Home Buying: The Benefits of Buyer Agency Agreements

Written Agreements Benefit Buyers
 

Most consumers know that if they want to “hire” a real estate broker/agent to sell their home and represent their interests, they must sign a contract. Realtors® are not allowed to list a property without one. The contract clearly spells out the terms of the agreement including length of time, compensation and each party’s responsibility.
While buyer agency is not a new concept – it has been legal in MA for 15+ years and a few years ago the law that governs agency relationships was updated to further ensure consumer protection, many buyers and some agents still don’t understand the benefits of a written Buyer Agency Agreement/contract.

Buyers often call me to ask for help finding a home and many tell me they have had disappointing experiences with "their buyer agent." When I ask if they had a contract with the agent, they answer is almost always “no”.  Well, of course they are disappointed! How did the agent know what the buyer expected? And were the buyer's expectations realistic?
The benefit of a contract is that both the buyer and the agent know what to expect and that each is accountable. The buyer knows which geographic areas the agent covers, they know how the agent is going to be compensated, and that the agent is legally obligated to act in the buyer’s best interest.

Buying a home is a process not an event - there is a lot more involved than finding a picture on the internet or going to open houses to "look." Successful negotiations are based on trust, confidentiality, and mutual respect. Buyers, you are entitled to have a qualified broker/agent on your side to ensure you get the representation you deserve and a written agreement is the first step.
While any agent can call themselves a buyer's agent, an ABR, Accredited Buyer's Representative has additional training and is part of a network that continues to provide education and new tools for representing buyers.
Before you start looking for a house find a qualified buyer agent/broker who will listen to you and respect your needs; one who knows the market in the area, knows how to negotiate, has a network of resources - lenders, home inspectors, attorneys, movers, etc.; and who will educate you so you can make the best decisions about your new home. Real estate is about relationships so make sure you have an agent who knows and cares about your well-being.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marilyn Messenger is an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) licensed real estate broker associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company in Concord MA. She has been representing home buyers in Sudbury, Maynard, Wayland, Stow, and the towns west of Boston since 1993. If you are thinking about buying a home, contact Marilyn at 508-596-3501.
Search for homes
Connect with Marilyn's real estate profile on Google+
- See more at: http://www.marilynmessenger.com/Web/AR438531/CustomContent/index/5492216#sthash.rRphUgHr.dpuf

Written Agreements Benefit Buyers
 

Most consumers know that if they want to “hire” a real estate broker/agent to sell their home and represent their interests, they must sign a contract. Realtors® are not allowed to list a property without one. The contract clearly spells out the terms of the agreement including length of time, compensation and each party’s responsibility.
While buyer agency is not a new concept – it has been legal in MA for 15+ years and a few years ago the law that governs agency relationships was updated to further ensure consumer protection, many buyers and some agents still don’t understand the benefits of a written Buyer Agency Agreement/contract.

Buyers often call me to ask for help finding a home and many tell me they have had disappointing experiences with "their buyer agent." When I ask if they had a contract with the agent, they answer is almost always “no”.  Well, of course they are disappointed! How did the agent know what the buyer expected? And were the buyer's expectations realistic?
The benefit of a contract is that both the buyer and the agent know what to expect and that each is accountable. The buyer knows which geographic areas the agent covers, they know how the agent is going to be compensated, and that the agent is legally obligated to act in the buyer’s best interest.

Buying a home is a process not an event - there is a lot more involved than finding a picture on the internet or going to open houses to "look." Successful negotiations are based on trust, confidentiality, and mutual respect. Buyers, you are entitled to have a qualified broker/agent on your side to ensure you get the representation you deserve and a written agreement is the first step.
While any agent can call themselves a buyer's agent, an ABR, Accredited Buyer's Representative has additional training and is part of a network that continues to provide education and new tools for representing buyers.
Before you start looking for a house find a qualified buyer agent/broker who will listen to you and respect your needs; one who knows the market in the area, knows how to negotiate, has a network of resources - lenders, home inspectors, attorneys, movers, etc.; and who will educate you so you can make the best decisions about your new home. Real estate is about relationships so make sure you have an agent who knows and cares about your well-being.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marilyn Messenger is an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) licensed real estate broker associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company in Concord MA. She has been representing home buyers in Sudbury, Maynard, Wayland, Stow, and the towns west of Boston since 1993. If you are thinking about buying a home, contact Marilyn at 508-596-3501.
Search for homes
Connect with Marilyn's real estate profile on Google+
- See more at: http://www.marilynmessenger.com/Web/AR438531/CustomContent/index/5492216#sthash.rRphUgHr.dpuf

Most consumers know that if they want to “hire” a real estate broker/agent to sell their home and represent their interests, they must sign a contract. Realtors® are not allowed to list a property without one. The contract clearly spells out the terms of the agreement including length of time, compensation and each party’s responsibility.

While buyer agency is not a new concept – it has been legal in MA for 15+ years and a few years ago the law that governs agency relationships was updated to further ensure consumer protection, many buyers and some agents still don’t understand the benefits of a written Buyer Agency Agreement/contract.

Buyers often call me to ask for help finding a home and many tell me they have had disappointing experiences with "their buyer agent." When I ask if they had a contract with the agent, they answer is almost always “no”.  Well, of course they are disappointed! How did the agent know what the buyer expected? And were the buyer's expectations realistic?

The benefit of a contract is that both the buyer and the agent know what to expect and that each is accountable. The buyer knows which geographic areas the agent covers, they know how the agent is going to be compensated, and that the agent is legally obligated to act in the buyer’s best interest.

Buying a home is a process not an event - there is a lot more involved than finding a picture on the internet or going to open houses to "look." Successful negotiations are based on trust, confidentiality, and mutual respect. Buyers, you are entitled to have a qualified broker/agent on your side to ensure you get the representation you deserve and a written agreement is the first step.

While any agent can call themselves a buyer's agent, an ABR, Accredited Buyer's Representative has additional training and is part of a network that continues to provide education and new tools for representing buyers.

Before you start looking for a house find a qualified buyer agent/broker who will listen to you and respect your needs; one who knows the market in the area, knows how to negotiate, has a network of resources - lenders, home inspectors, attorneys, movers, etc.; and who will educate you so you can make the best decisions about your new home. Real estate is about relationships so make sure you have an agent who knows and cares about your well-being.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marilyn Messenger is an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) licensed real estate broker associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company in Concord MA. She has been representing home buyers in Sudbury, Maynard, Wayland, Stow, and the towns west of Boston since 1993. If you are thinking about buying a home, contact Marilyn at 508-596-3501.

Search for homes

- See more at: http://www.marilynmessenger.com/Web/AR438531/CustomContent/index/5492216#sthash.WTOHYzgD.dpuf

Most consumers know that if they want to “hire” a real estate broker/agent to sell their home and represent their interests, they must sign a contract. Realtors® are not allowed to list a property without one. The contract clearly spells out the terms of the agreement including length of time, compensation and each party’s responsibility. 

While buyer agency is not a new concept – it has been legal in MA for 15+ years and a few years ago the law that governs agency relationships was updated to further ensure consumer protection, many buyers and some agents still don’t understand the benefits of a written Buyer Agency Agreement/contract.

Buyers often call me to ask for help finding a home and many tell me they have had disappointing experiences with "their buyer agent." When I ask if they had a contract with the agent, they answer is almost always “no”.  Well, of course they are disappointed! How did the agent know what the buyer expected? And were the buyer's expectations realistic?

The benefit of a written contract is that both the buyer and the agent know what to expect and that each is accountable. The buyer knows which geographic areas the agent covers, they know how the agent is going to be compensated, and that the agent is legally obligated to act in the buyer’s best interest.

Buying a home is a process not an event - there is a lot more involved than finding a picture on the internet or going to open houses to "look." Successful negotiations are based on trust, confidentiality, and mutual respect. Buyers, you are entitled to have a qualified broker/agent on your side to ensure you get the representation you deserve and a written agreement is the first step.

While any agent can call themselves a buyer's agent, an ABR, Accredited Buyer's Representative has additional training and is part of a network that continues to provide education and new tools for representing buyers.

Before you start looking for a house find a qualified buyer agent/broker who will listen to you and respect your needs; one who knows the market in the area, knows how to negotiate, has a network of resources - lenders, home inspectors, attorneys, movers, etc.; and who will educate you so you can make the best decisions about your new home. Real estate is about relationships so make sure you have an agent who knows and cares about your well-being.

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Marilyn Messenger is an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) licensed real estate broker associated with Andrew Mitchell and Company in Concord MA. She has been representing home buyers in Sudbury, Maynard, Wayland, Stow, and the towns west of Boston since 1993. If you are thinking about buying a home, contact Marilyn at 508-596-3501.

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