Whether you’re looking to buy your first home or moving up to your third, cutting costs where you can is, understandably, a priority. But what’s one corner you shouldn’t cut? Enlisting a buyer’s agent to help you navigate the process with success.

From market knowledge to negotiation skills and more, here are the top reasons why it’s more important than ever to work with a buyer’s agent today.

#1 They’re Your Advocate: A buyer’s agent is legally bound to represent you and your interests throughout a real estate transaction. While some buyers think that going directly to the listing agent gives them an advantage, in reality, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The listing agent has a fiduciary duty to the seller, while a buyer’s agent serves as the buyer’s advocate and the buyer’s advocate alone.

#2 They Have Market Knowledge: Unless you’re a Realtor yourself, you likely aren’t aware of everything going on in your local market. A Realtor, on the other hand, is tasked with keeping tabs on the market at all times. If you don’t have that in-depth knowledge on your side, the reality is, your chances of writing a successful offer will be slim.

#3 They Know The Neighborhoods: Hard at work crafting your home buying wishlist? A buyer’s agent can help you sort through it, making sure your wants and needs align with your budget every step of the way. And once your criteria is established, your Realtor will then help identify homes that fit those requirements. While you may think this is easy enough to do on your own, a professional agent goes above and beyond, arming you with up-to-date information on utilities, schools, and zoning…as well as performing due diligence on any house that checks every box on your list.

#4 They Negotiate For You: Real estate transactions have a lot of moving parts, and there are many factors on the table — from price to repairs, possession date, and beyond. Because of this, when it comes time to negotiate, you don’t just want an expert in your corner; you need one. Even in a cordial, smooth negotiation, things can go wrong. A buyer’s agent handles hundreds of transactions throughout their career, and their only priority is to win the home for the price and terms their buyers want.

#5 They Have Connections: There are many professionals involved in a real estate deal, including mortgage lenders, inspectors, title companies, and more. Not to mention the variety of additional vendors such as movers, plumbers, electricians, structural engineers, contractors, landscapers, and more that you may need referrals for along the way.

#6 They Handle The Paperwork: One of the most difficult (and burdensome) steps when purchasing a home is all the administrative details that go into it. Not a fan of paperwork? We don’t blame you. We suggest taking that stress off your hands by enlisting an agent who will review every document carefully for you — from the initial offer and home inspection to closing contracts and titles.

#7 They Offer Emotional Support: Sometimes, we all get by with a little help from our friends, right? Buying a home is an emotional process, and one that can quickly become stressful, especially in a competitive market. That’s why you can’t put a price on having a dedicated, professional advisor who offers a shoulder to lean on and helps you stay focused on the important issues — while encouraging you to check your emotions at the door.

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➤ Ready to buy, but not sure where to start? Check out these related articles on home buying that will arm you with useful information!

• What You Need To Know About Closing Costs
• Top DMV Neighborhoods For First-Time Buyers
• Why Your Should Buy, Not Rent

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