Local knowledge is important when choosing a good buyer’s agent – one who understands the vagaries of a particular suburb so that you don’t overpay.
A good rule of thumb is to canvass the opinion of local selling agents as potential referees.
As an association, REBAA encourages buyers to speak to local selling agents, many of whom know which buyer’s agents are savvy in their property selections.
As buyer’s agents we value the relationship with a selling agent and know that in order for it to work, there needs to be mutual respect and a good communication flow.
We need selling agents to regard us highly enough to let us know of off-market and future listings.
We want them to be prepared to negotiate with us and, if possible, give us an edge over unrepresented buyers.
We also recommend that home buyers and investors quiz any buyer’s agent they are considering and ask to speak to some of their past clients.
Here are REBAA’s top 5 questions to ask a selling agent about a buyer’s agent:
1. Do you find many buyer’s agents operating in your area?
2. Who do you come across a lot?
3. What do you think about the sort of property they go for?
4. What do you think about the price they pay?
5. Would you recommend them?
