Episode Two

Hi Everyone and welcome back! In today’s episode, James and Michelle are joined by SellBoston’s very own Aurielle Kallmerten and John Farrell-Clancy to discuss the benefits a buyer receives when they are represented by an agent during a transaction.

ENJOY SOME HIGHLIGHTS BELOW!

Topic One – How Much Does A Buyer Agent Cost You?

Aurielle Kallmerten: “That’s an awesome question. Many think that you have to pay to have a buyer’s agent, but it’s actually free to buyers, as we are getting paid directly from the list side. So we come as no cost to you, but obviously give you a huge value add. Basically, the money’s in the transaction already. So regardless of where you’re looking, whether you’re looking at a condo, whether you’re looking at a single family, we can help on everything and we’re still getting paid. Nothing on top of what you are already paying.”

John Farrell-Clancy: “I mean I think what we really need to talk about is why it’s important to work with the buyer’s agent as opposed to going through the listing agent. And to sum it up, pretty bluntly, the buyer’s agent works for you, whereas the listing agent works for the seller. And I know that sounds pretty simple, but people don’t quite understand that when you work in with a buyer’s agent, the buyer’s agent actually can advise you and figures out how to get you the best deal possible. If you go through the listing agent, the listing agent represents the seller. So there’s a conflict of interest there naturally….how can they be looking out for you as the buyer when they’ve signed an actual contract with the seller to look out for their interests first? It just can’t happen.”

Topic Two: What Value Does A Buyer Agent Actually Bring?

John Farrell-Clancy: “A lot of people can access properties with Zillow and Trulia and so on… they might sign-on every night and look at listings, and maybe even go to open house. But that can only take you so far. Eventually you’re going to have to know the questions to ask and what to actually do. If you want to put an offer on a place and that’s where the buyer’s agent really adds the value. So that’s where we step in and we can actually make a huge difference that you wouldn’t be able to do on your own.”

Aurielle Kallmerten: “Yeah, and we actually will do a lot of the groundwork and the legwork for you. So while we can show you everything that is on market, we will always go and look for off market opportunities as well and check in with all our colleagues in the area to see what they have in their pipeline. So while something may not exist yet, we are always looking for what the next best thing for you.”

James Marsden: “Sort of like with things that are coming to the market three weeks from now that you can basically get into early, right? Keep it from going to that bidding war..or get it for the number that it’s actually worth. “

John Farrell-Clancy: “Exactly. And I think a big part of our job is actually serving as a person that is going to push someone to do something when they need to do it. And also pull back on a buyer when they’re thinking with their heart instead of their checkbook. So we’re a means of making sure you’re doing what you need to do as a buyer at any given time.

James Marsden: ” I think that’s a value that we bring to the table, not just, ‘pay this or go over list price.’ But sometimes we actually say, no, you don’t want to buy this because….”

John Farrell-Clancy: “Yeah, that’s a really interesting point because there’s a stigma with real estate agents in general where, some people feel like we’re used car salesmen and listen, there’s a lot of agents out there that are just...