Henri Gourd 914-954-3897 henrigourd@bhhsne.com A recent column by a regular contributor suggested today's home buyer would be better served by going directly to the listing agent of any home they wanted rather than working with an agent who has their best interest at heart. Such a suggestion overlooks the years of abuse that preceded the concept of buyer agency. Let's say you are a buyer walking into an open house and strike up an instant rapport with the agent hosting the event. You casually mention that you just came into a large inheritance and need to close on a new home in the next 30 days. You probably do not know that the agent you are talking to has a fiduciary duty to the seller to report what you disclosed. This puts you at a disadvantage when negotiating your offer. By contrast, a buyer's agent represents your best interest. They are there to research recent sales to determine market value of the home you want to buy, coach you on the terms and price you should offer, help you obtain financing, negotiate terms of the offer, suggest attorneys & inspectors, attend the inspections and interpret inspection results, negotiate post-inspection requests, explain the many required forms, and of course be a sounding board for questions and concerns that arise throughout the buying process all while keeping your personal information confidential. A buyer can try to save money by not paying for exclusive representation and going directly to the listing agent but in the long run he will probably end up paying a lot more. BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices New England Properties Selling it all, from cottages to castles! Henri Gourd 914-954-3897 henrigourd@bhhsne.com A recent column by a regular contributor suggested today's home buyer would be better served by going directly to the listing agent of any home they wanted rather than working with an agent who has their best interest at heart . Such a suggestion overlooks the years of abuse that preceded the concept of buyer agency . Let's say you are a buyer walking into an open house and strike up an instant rapport with the agent hosting the event . You casually mention that you just came into a large inheritance and need to close on a new home in the next 30 days . You probably do not know that the agent you are talking to has a fiduciary duty to the seller to report what you disclosed . This puts you at a disadvantage when negotiating your offer . By contrast , a buyer's agent represents your best interest . They are there to research recent sales to determine market value of the home you want to buy , coach you on the terms and price you should offer , help you obtain financing , negotiate terms of the offer , suggest attorneys & inspectors , attend the inspections and interpret inspection results , negotiate post - inspection requests , explain the many required forms , and of course be a sounding board for questions and concerns that arise throughout the buying process all while keeping your personal information confidential . A buyer can try to save money by not paying for exclusive representation and going directly to the listing agent but in the long run he will probably end up paying a lot more . BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HomeServices New England Properties Selling it all , from cottages to castles !