Archive for Buyer’s Broker
The Search – Starting Out Right Can Save Serious Money and Make You the Favored Buyer
Posted by: | CommentsVisiting open houses, scanning the Internet sites and dreaming of where you’ll place your sofa is all well and good, but when it’s time to get serious about buying a new home, there are some basic steps that will position you to find the right place and get the best deal.
Once you’ve decided you want to buy and that your financial basics look sound, the smartest thing you can do is put together your own dedicated search team – a buyer’s broker, a real estate attorney and a bank/mortgage broker. Choose carefully and make sure they are well-versed in real estate in New York City. Ask them about their experience.
Buy Into a Buyer’s Broker
A buyer’s broker will help you at every step of your purchase, from helping you figuring out what kind of apartment you want at the price you can afford, to the subtleties of the co-op interview.
Make sure you like your broker – you’re likely going to be spending a lot of time together. Be sure that he or she listens to you and really hears what you’re saying. Otherwise, you’ll spend a lot of time seeing spaces you’re not interested in. Want a big kitchen? Lots of light? Outdoor space? An older, pre-war building with lots of charm or a brand new, sleek and modern place, a view of the Empire State Building? If he or she can’t get into your head, the search process won’t be as pleasant as it should be.
Be aware that most agents in New York are seller’s brokers. If you meet an agent at an open house, for example, you need to keep in mind that you’re speaking with the seller’s representative. Any hints you give about how much you’re prepared to spend will be reported back to the seller – in which case, you’re likely to spend top dollar.
Why? Because you’re chatting with a seller’s agent, whose top priority is to show the property in its most favorable light and negotiate the highest price and best terms for the seller. New York law is crystal clear on the duty of listing and selling agents – they must provide “undivided loyalty” to the seller. So if they can figure out how much you’re prepared to spend, their job is to make sure you spend every cent.
The seller’s agent may offer to have another agent at their firm to act as your representative in making an offer and negotiating for the purchase. That’s perfectly legal, but being asked to step in and assist the buyer at the last minute may not be the ideal scenario. First and foremost, it doesn’t give the buyer the advantage of having a dedicated advocate for his or her needs nor can he or she negotiate as effectively as a buyer’s broker who has been working with you all through the process.
Be Prepared
The other representatives you’ll need when you want to buy a property are a banker/mortgage broker and a real estate attorney.
Finding a good banker and pre-qualifying for a mortgage will not only make you an attractive buyer to all those folks hoping to sell their homes, but it will also ensure that you’re looking in the right price range. A loan officer should request your credit score to do a pre-approval letter, stating that you qualify for a mortgage up to a stated amount (you’ll need to pay for a credit check, usually $20 or less), and be able to explain what kind of rates and mortgages her or his company could offer you today along with what information they will need if you apply for a mortgage with the company. You’ll know exactly what you can – and can’t afford. You won’t fall in love with something you can’t have – and when you do find that perfect place, you’ll be in a strong position to negotiate for it.
Locating a real estate savvy attorney will also smooth the way. An attorney in addition to being expert in New York City real estate, should be well-versed in reviewing co-op and condo financial statements (your accountant could help here), should plan to read its board meeting minutes to look for items like upcoming expenses, lawsuits pending etc. and be familiar with the latest inclusions/exclusions in NYC real estate contracts.
So, first things first.
When you decide to start looking, take time to find the right folks to ensure your search is a success– your buyer’s broker, real estate attorney, and loan officer. You can call around, ask friends – and even ask prospective members of the team to recommend others they’ve worked with in the past.
With your team lined up, you’re ready to look, and to buy. Now, about that sofa …
Who Represents Your Best Interests When Buying A Co-op or Condo in Manhattan?
Posted by: | CommentsIf you are planning to buy or thinking about buying an apartment in New York City, it’s smart to get expert help from the beginning. Touring apartments is just the beginning; buying one is more complicated.
If you tour open houses, you’ll meet real estate agents, virtually always the seller’s agents. There are several different kinds of agents and it’s important to know the how they work.
Listing Agents
Listing (or seller’s) agents are the ones with whom the seller has listed his or her property. A seller’s agent promises to take reasonable care, provide undivided loyalty, confidentiality, full disclosure, obedience and duty to the seller. That means their top priority is to show the property in its most favorable light and negotiate the highest price and terms for the seller. In other words, the listing agent owes complete fiduciary responsibility to the seller.
Buyer’s Agent
Conversely, the buyer’s agent is engaged by the buyer to represent his or her interests. The buyer’s agent is completely motivated to make sure that you get the best possible deal. He or she negotiates the purchase of the home you want at a price and on terms most favorable to you. A buyer’s agent promises to take reasonable care, provide undivided loyalty, confidentiality, full disclosure, obedience and duty to the buyer. In other words, he owes complete fiduciary responsibility to the buyer.
Dual Agent
A real estate broker may represent both the buyer and seller if both buyer and seller give their informed consent in writing. For example, if you visit an open house, you might meet the seller’s agent as you tour the home. Should you decide to buy – or make an offer on – the property, you might ask that agent to represent you. In that case, the agent will not be able to provide the full range of fiduciary duties to both buyer and seller. The agent must explain the possible effects of dual representation, including that by consenting to the dual agency relationship the buyer and seller are both giving up their right to undivided loyalty. A buyer should carefully consider the possible consequences of a dual agency relationship before agreeing.
Dual Agent with Designated Sales Agents
If the buyer and seller provide informed consent in writing, the real estate brokerage firm may designate a sales agent to represent the buyer and another sales agent to represent the seller to negotiate the purchase and sale of the property. A designated sales agent cannot provide the full range of fiduciary duties to the buyer or seller. The designated agent must explain that like the dual agent under whose supervision they function, they cannot provide undivided loyalty.
So if you are a buyer, a listing or seller’s agent can not advocate for the best deal you can get. If the seller has an agent totally dedicated to their interest, buyers should strongly consider working with agents who are totally dedicated to ensuring that they get the best possible deal.
New York State law is crystal clear and requires disclosure regarding real estate agency relationships and the rights and obligations it creates.
As always, if you need legal, tax or other advice you should always consult with a professional in that field.
