Representing Flagstaff Real Estate Buyers

Buyer Representation for Flagstaff Real Estate

Benefits of a Buyer Agency

Avoids Conflicts of Interest;
Loyalty to Buyer;
Access to ALL Properties on the Market;
Objective Comparative Market Analysis;
Thorough Research ofProperty Positives and Negatives;
Strives, Ethically, to Gain Bargaining Advantage for Buyer;
Negotiates for Buyer to Get Optimum Contract;
Protects Buyer’s Interests Throughout the Entire Process;
No Fees for Buyer Representation Services;
Buyer Often Saves a Lot of Money, Time & Peace of Mind

What is an Buyer Agent/Broker?

The Buyer's Agent's job is to give represent the best interests of our clients and get them the best deal possible on Flagstaff real estate that suits their needs and desires.

We do work with all listing agents in the area and are members of the local Multiple Listing Service. Beyond that we also work with most of the “For Sale by Owner” properties. Through us, you have access to the entire Flagstaff real estate market; whether you’re considering for homes, land, or commercial properties and businesses.

Our clients are often surprised that we don’t try to sell them the Flagstaff homes and land we show them. We usually do point out what we see as the good and bad points of various properties that we tour and our purpose is to help them find the one that will best suit their needs. We do tell our clients about what we think are the best deals, but have no vested interest in any particular property. We like that because it keeps us objective and focused on our clients’ needs rather than on pushing company listings. So, we don’t sell; there’s no need to. Our clients tell us what they like and when they are ready to put in an offer.

“I remember the good old days when we all worked for the seller and everybody knew that we worked for the seller, except for the buyer.”   (Quote from an instructor of a Real Estate Agency course.)

Why is an Buyer Agent a benefit to the buyer?

As Buyer’s Agents we can and do thoroughly research properties to discover assets and defects of a given home or parcel. Using our training in advanced negotiation techniques, we bargain hard for the best terms and price for the buyer. The natural tendency for buyers, when they see an attractive property advertised, is to contact the listing agent directly. Seems to make sense because, presumably, that agent knows the most about that property. Bad idea! The listing agent is contractually obligated to obtain the best price and terms for the seller. He or she must not divulge any weaknesses in the seller’s negotiating position. A Buyer’s Agent, on the other hand, can and should use every legal and ethical device to obtain the most favorable outcome for the buyer through every step in the property buying process. That is the objective to which we are committed.

By the way, before coming to view property in Flagstaff, you may want to review your bargaining strength by taking our Negotiation Position Inventory. Additional information regarding negotiation strategies can be viewed from our newsletter article: The Art of Negotiation.

Are your fees high?

We do not charge our clients a fee for our services. We are paid from the proceeds of the transaction. To see more on how that works, click on our remuneration link.

Do You Charge a Retainer Fee?

No, but we do ask serious buyers to obtain written Credit Pre-Approval if they’re not paying cash.

The practice of charging retainer fees, typically $500 to $1000 or more, deductible against the agent’s eventual commission, is gaining popularity among Buyer Agents. The rationale for it is threefold:

1. To cover some of the agent’s up-front time and expenses in representing the buyer;
2. To screen out those prospective buyers who are unprepared to commit to the process;
3. To bind the buyer to the agent.

We find that the majority of buyers need some time to check out the area, the market, and us before they’re ready to get serious - although we do have more than our share of people who know instantly that this is the place they want to live. It has also been our experience that once we have begun to work with clients and we’ve gotten to know each other, we have not had them go off and work with someone else. So, we don’t feel insecure about that issue. Once they are ready to work with us, though, we do ask two things of them. The first is to sign the state standardized Buyer’s Agency Disclosure and Election form. The second, unless they are cash buyers, is to work with a lender to obtain a Line of Credit Pre-Approval as soon as possible. Please refer to our mortgage page for more information and links to lenders.