Buyers: Get Your OWN Representation!

As tempting as it is to share the listing agent with the seller in hopes to save a little money, don’t even think about it. You have no earthly idea whether or not that agent and the seller are working together, with the agent also having financial interest in the property, whether the seller is the best friend or brother of the agent; there are just too many uncertainties to risk a potentially large sum of money, thinking you’re going to actually ‘save’ on the deal.

Even if there is no familial or financial involvement, the listing agent was hired by the seller and has a fiduciary allegiance to the seller, who is the one paying them.

This applies to your inspector as well; make certain that your inspector (and perhaps a separate termite inspector) is appropriately state-licensed and ideally, has been practicing for at least five years and performed over 200 inspections.