The Difference Between

The Difference Between Representation As
a Seller's Agent vs. a Buyer's Agent

Provided by:
Jay Burnham, CRB, CRS, GRI, RECS, SRES

In the past, when you worked with an agent to find a home or land, the agent was working for the seller. That meant that even though you and the agent may have worked closely together, he or she had a fiduciary responsibility to always act in the best interest of the seller. Now you have the opportunity put the agent squarely and exclusively in your corner.

We would like work for you as your Buyer's Agent. The concept is extremely popular, and could possibly save you, time, effort, worry, and money. If you wish, we would be pleased to serve in that capacity for you. It would mean that we would enter into an agreement in which Jay becomes your agent in your quest for finding a home or property. He would be responsible to you, not the seller.* Under this relationship, we can and will be able to do all of the things listed below under Buyer's Agent which, for legal and other reasons, we cannot otherwise do.

Services and Duties Provided	Seller's Agent	Buyer's Agent
Arrange property showings	X	X
Assist with financing	X	X
Provide property data	X	X
Explain forms and agreements	X	X
Monitor closing	X	X
Provide a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis)*	X	X
Provide access to the market both listed and unlisted		X
Promote and protect the Buyers best interest, advise the buyer		X
Negotiate best terms for you.		X
Point out reasons not to buy.		X
Assist in the offer with the Buyer's best interests in mind.		X
Keep Buyer's bargaining position confidential.		X
Research property for liens and original purchase price		X
Provide anonymity if desirable		X
Put the Buyer's interest first during the entire bargaining process		X

*As a sellers agent, an agent can only provide this service if it justifies the asking price

* For additional information: