Choosing the right buyer's agent can be tough. You may not personally be paying the agent fees as a buyer, but you will be hurt or helped by the quality of service you receive. Here are a few great ways to choose the right buyer's agent before you proceed to buying your new McKinney home..

Choose a reputable agent

A good brand means a lot more than great advertising. It means that a company has spent years establishing itself as a leader in excellence and service. You want a realtor with such a brand backing him. Go meet your potential agent in the office to check out the atmosphere and see what he or she is all about before you sign on. Usually an agent with a good brand will have friendly, knowledgeable support staff and a few years of experience under his or her belt. You may be able to look at the walls and see evidence of awards and achievements. The office should be filled with the sound of ringing phones that indicate people interested in his or her service. Such experienced agents are the only ones who can link up with expert referral services like HFMA.

Make sure you will see all the right listings

The right agent will show you any listings that apply to your needs, not just homes within their own company's listings. A buyer's agent is supposed to represent your best interests, not those of the seller. Poor agents may try to restrict your options by offering only in-house listing which can offer them the greatest benefit in fees.

A quality agent won't limit you to in-house listings, and any agent who does may have a conflict of interest. In-house listings can be good opportunities, but you want an agent who will show you every option and let you decide.

Listen for the right questions

One of the best ways to find out whether an agent is the best choice is to listen to the questions he asks you. A quality agent doesn't just want to take any work that comes his way. He wants to ensure that he takes on quality clients for whom he can do the best possible work. Make sure your agent askes about whether you are preapproved, what kind of home you want, what area you want to buy in, and any other pertinent questions. An agent who asks good questions and listens to the answers is a good choice.

Sign a buyer's agency agreement

If everything checks out, then you should sign a buyer's agency agreement and begin your search. This agreement ensures your agent's loyalty and legal obligation to represent your best interests, and guarantees your agent the resulting fees of your transaction.

Make sure you choose the best possible realtor before you begin the process of buying a home. You can find the best agent to help you buy your home today with the help of HFMA. We look forward to helping with your real estate needs.