by Jo-Anne LaBuda                                                                                                                            

Lots of buyers, especially young ones, are skeptical about the necessity of using a Realtor to help them with a home purchase.  After all, they are comfortable with the internet and they know what they want.  All they need to do is find properties online that match their criteria and go out and buy them, right?  Or, if they are interested in new construction, why not just buy directly from the builder?

Well, I am now getting calls from lots of people who should have had the advice of a good and experienced agent when buying their home.  Now, many of them are "upside-down" in their mortgages or they need to sell, for whatever reason, and they are upset to find out that they are going to lose money on their investment.

What can a good agent do to help avoid these situations?  Here are just a few examples:  A good agent can offer invaluable advice when choosing a home from the location to the features of the home.  He or she can help determine the true value of the home before the buyers overpay.  He or she can help guide buyers through the mortgage process and direct them to an ethical lender or mortgage broker.  And with a new build, a good agent can advise buyers on all aspects of new construction before they sign that contract.

Buyers often do not realize that the services of a Buyer's Agent are free to them.  The seller pays the commission, not the buyer.  So there is no reason to try to do it yourself when you can put the home search, negotiations and contract paperwork in the hands of an expert.

Of course, it is important to make sure you are using a Buyer's Agent who is experienced, hard-working and familiar with the area in which you are looking.  He or she should be listening to your needs and wants and should be diligent about finding properties that fit your criteria.  If you feel you are not being heard, or you are doing all the searching yourself, find another Buyer's Agent.  You will find that the right Buyer's Agent will be worth his weight in gold!

Jo-Anne LaBuda is a Realtor and partner with Keller Williams Capital Partners in Worthington, Ohio