Should You Use the Listing Agent When Buying a Home?

Don’t use a listing agent to buy a home. Instead, work with a buyer’s agent who has your best interests in mind.

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Should you use the listing agent when buying a home?

At face value, this seems like a pretty good idea. They have the inside track to the home’s seller, and you can perhaps get some of their commission because they’re getting paid twice on the deal.

The truth, though, is that you won’t get any of their commission if they’re good at their job. This is because they have an agreement with the seller that doesn’t have anything to do with you.

The main factor to consider in this situation is agency, or who represents who in the transaction. In this case, the listing agent represents the seller, represent their interests above their own, just like a buyer’s agent would represent a buyer’s interests above their own.

If you go directly to the listing agent when buying a home, they have a conflict of interest in terms of their relationship to you. They need to sell the home for as much money as possible and make the transaction as smooth as possible. You, on the other hand, want to buy the home for as little as possible and make sure your interests are protected.

What you need here is a good buyer’s agent who’s very well-versed in the market you’re thinking of buying in. If you trust them, heed their advice. Do not work with anyone you don’t trust.

If you have any more questions about this topic, don’t hesitate to call or email us anytime. We’d love to sit and chat with you.