Buyer Agency: Customer or Client?
Customer Profile: (Non-Agency)
As a buyer, you may be best served as a CUSTOMER when you:
- Merely need exposure to the property
- Are familiar with real estate practices and procedures and/or business in general
- Know how to mentally structure an offer
- Are capable of negotiating for yourself
- Are capable of analyzing the property and legal forms (or can engage the services of someone who can)
Real estate agents work WITH a customer.
Client Profile: (Agency)
As a buyer, you may be best served as a CLIENT when you:
- Are inexperienced regarding real estate purchasing and/or business in general; or when you are a sophisticated buyer
- Have a strong need for help in negotiating
- Have limited funds, restricted terms or types of financing
- Rely heavily on input from the salesperson ("What would YOU suggest I do?")
- Have a confidentiality that needs to be kept and/or want to keep your identity confidential
- Are a very cautious, analytical buyer; constantly probing for every detail
- Speak English as a second language
