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Benjamin Clark - Exclusive BUYER'S AGENT - Certified Negotiation Expert - SLC, UT

Dual Agency, Bad for Buyers (And Sellers!)

A true agent only works for a buyer or a seller. Not themself.When I first began my career in Real Estate, I observed agents as they asked consumers to agree to dual agency. Sellers are often asked to do so when they list the home. Buyers are often asked to do so when writing an offer.

When taking a listing they may have said something like:

Initialing here allows me to bring a Buyer for your home.

When writing a contract with a Buyer, they may have said something like:

Initialing here allows me to help you with the paperwork to buy this home.

No discussion whatsoever about what fiduciary duties a Seller or Buyer may be giving up when they initial or sign the documents.

While the definition of Agency Relationships varies from State to State, that doesn't mean that proper disclosure of what a Buyer or Seller loses by agreeing to dual agency should not take place by every licensee.

I believe that if most of the public were truly educated well about what they lose in a dual agency relationship, many fewer, if any, consumers would consent to a dual agency relationship.

A true agent only works for a Buyer or a Seller... NOT themself.

Buying a home in Salt Lake City or the Surrounding Area? Make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction!

Exclusive Buyer Brokerages do not list homes and never represent Sellers. Their agents represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...

If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 home in the next 90 days and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.

©2009 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. "The Real Estate Agents on the Buyer's Side" TM Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved

©2009 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. - Salt Lake City, UT

Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved

Finally...

real estate agents on the buyers side

Home Buyers in Sandy, Utah Value Having an Agent on Their Side

satisfied clients working with an exclusive buyers agentWe recently purchased our first home in the Salt Lake area. In choosing a realtor, we considered several options, but ultimately chose to work with Benjamin Clark based on positive recommendations we'd received.

We weren't very familiar with the concept of an Exclusive Buyer's Agent (EBA) at the outset, but during the home buying process learned how valuable it can be to have our realtor looking out solely for our interests.

We never felt pushed into a particular house as we might have with a realtor who also had an interest in selling certain homes. Our experience with Ben was quite the opposite. He was careful to always point out potential concerns with the houses we looked at to help us evaluate if they would meet our needs and over time be a good investment. We found it very helpful, especially as first time home buyers, having someone more experienced than us point out problem areas rather than encouraging us to buy the first house we saw.

The seller of the home we eventually purchased commented after observing what an asset Ben was to us that she wished she'd had someone like him on her side when she had bought the home.

We found Ben to be very knowledgeable, professional, and helpful throughout the home buying process. He was always responsive whenever we had questions, and helpful in his suggestions. We appreciated his guidance and valuable recommendations, especially once the offer on our house was accepted. He recommended inspection companies, mortgage brokers, home warranty companies, and several other professionals whose assistance we needed, all of whom we found to be superior to what we would have come up with on our own.

From beginning to end, Ben proved to be a great asset to us in the purchase of our home.

Jonathan & Laura Tanner
Sandy, Utah

Buying a home in Salt Lake City or the Surrounding Area? Make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction!

If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 home in the next 90 days and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.

©2009 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. "The Real Estate Agents on the Buyer's Side" TM Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved

Exclusive Buyer Brokerages do not list homes and never represent Sellers. Their agents represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...

©2009 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. - Salt Lake City, UT

Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved

Finally...

real estate agents on the buyers side

"Impressed with Your Professionalism"

Your buyer focus shows in how well you represent your clients in all aspects of the purchase transaction.Ben,

I wanted to take a moment and thank you for letting us help you with the purchase transaction for the Tanners. I was impressed with your professionalism and particularly the depth of your understanding of the closing process and the HUD-1 settlement statement. Your attention to detail is obviously a huge benefit to your clients.

I was also impressed with the loan package you were able to help your buyer obtain. I've closed loans and purchases at interest rates in the 4's before, but I've never closed one at that rate with no lender fees. Your buyer focus shows in how well you represent your clients in all aspects of the purchase transaction.

I hope that we can continue to serve you and your clients in the future.

Best,

Cortlund Ashton
Vice President
Cottonwood Title Insurance Agency, Inc.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121

Buying a home in Salt Lake City or the Surrounding Area? Make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction!

If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 home in the next 90 days and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.

©2009 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. "The Real Estate Agents on the Buyer's Side" TM Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved

Exclusive Buyer Brokerages do not list homes and never represent Sellers. Their agents represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...

©2009 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. - Salt Lake City, UT

Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved

Finally...

real estate agents on the buyers side

Think the Seller Pays the Real Estate Fees? Think Again!

house with dollar signsMost Buyers are told that the Seller pays all the real estate fees. This is not exactly true.

That the Seller pays the fees is semantics.

Your cash (or loan) to buy the home is what gives the Seller the proceeds with which to pay their agent and other settlement fees. YOU not only pay for your agent, but one could argue that you also pay for the Seller's agent.

You have the right to choose your own agent. Make sure you don't shortchange yourself by hiring a mediocre agent to represent your side of the transaction. Certainly, don't make the mistake of hiring the agent who works for the Seller!

An Exclusive Buyer's Agent's job is to help you buy the home at the best price and terms for the Buyer.

Buying a home in Salt Lake City or the Surrounding Area? Make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction!

If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 home in the next 90 days and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.

©2008 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. "The Real Estate Agents on the Buyer's Side" TM Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved

Exclusive Buyer Brokerages do not list homes and never represent Sellers. Their agents represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...

©2009 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. - Salt Lake City, UT

Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved

Finally...

real estate agents on the buyers side

Key Details of the $8,000 Federal Tax Credit for Salt Lake City, Utah Area Homebuyers

Hand full of moneyKey Details of the $8,000 Federal Tax Credit for Utah Homebuyers

  • Buy a home between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.

  • Get $8,000 Federal Tax Credit when you file your 2009 Tax Return (or sooner, see below).

  • This does not have to be repaid. (UNLESS: You sell the home within 3 years)

  • If you and your spouse make a combined income of less than $150,000 annually (or if you are single and make less than $75,000 annually), you qualify for the full $8,000 tax credit. If you make more than that, you may qualify for a partial tax credit.

  • You may not have owned a home during the past 3 years to qualify. (Nor may have your spouse, if you are married.)

  • The credit is 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to $8,000. In other words, if you buy a home with a purchase price of over $80,000, you should get the full $8,000 credit.

  • The tax credit is refundable. That means that if you owe no taxes, you can choose to have the government send you the $8,000 as a refund.

  • You can elect to claim the tax credit on your 2008 return, meaning you can get the credit this year, even though you didn't buy the home until 2009. This may be helpful to those who know that they will make more than $150,000 combined (or $75,000 solo) in 2009. (Assuming they made less in 2008). It also means you can get your $$$ a year earlier.

  • If you closed on a home early in 2009 and have already filed your 2008 return, you can submit an amended return. (I recommend having a professional accountant help to make sure you do this right.)

  • If you bought your home between April 9, 2008 and December 31, 2008, you cannot claim the $8,000 tax credit that does not have to be repaid. You can still claim the $7,500 tax credit (read: interest free loan) that does have to be repaid over 15 years. Sorry. Call your congressperson to complain.

The form to use (and where you can get the details on how this credit works) is form 5405 from the IRS website.

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about anything to do with buying a home in today's economy.

Buying a home in Salt Lake City or the Surrounding Area? Make sure you get an Agent on YOUR side of the transaction!

If you have excellent credit and will be buying a $300,000-$800,000 home in the next 90 days and would like an agent who will work exclusively for you, call us at (801) 969-8989 or contact us via the link on this page.

©2008 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. "The Real Estate Agents on the Buyer's Side" TM Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved

Exclusive Buyer Brokerages do not list homes and never represent Sellers. Their agents represent Buyers ONLY on the Buyer's side of the transaction. They work to get BUYERS the Best Price and Terms when they Buy...

©2008 Homebuyer Representation, Inc. - Salt Lake City, UT

Exclusive Buyers Agents (EBA) - All Rights Reserved

Finally...

real estate agents on the buyers side