(Reprinted from International Golf Estates Nov/Dec......page 27)

Buyer's Brokers Vermont / Buyer's Agents Vermont offer an important service by aggressively representing only the buyers in all real estate transactions. A Buyer's Broker is an agent who works exclusively for the buyer to find the desired type of property at the best price. Last year, buyers used this kind of agent to represent their interests in 41 percent of all real estate transactions nationwide, according to the National Association of Realtors.

What usually happens is a prospective buyer will see and ad in the newspaper, magazine or on the internet for a property they have an interest in purchasing. They will call this listing broker in the ad to get more information or to schedule an appointment to see the property. While this buyer may spend a great deal of time with this listing broker, this broker in fact works for the seller, and is legally obligated to do everything in the sellers best interest ... not the buyers ! As the hunting process goes on and a relationship develops, it's easy for the buyer to forget that the broker is not working for them.

"If you start out with an exclusive Buyer's Broker, you will have 100% representation from the beginning" says Donald Bordner, a Buyer's specialist who has been in real estate sales for almost 40 years….both in Vermont and Florida.

"We specialize in personal hands on service," says Bordner. His company operates more like a 5 star hotels' concierge department. Among the many services that Bordner provides are finding clients a hotel, then matching them up with the right home, condo or building lot, and then setting them up with the right builder, attorney, banker, insurance man, decorator, tax advisor, etc. Bordner also makes restaurant recommendations: his own down-home reviews of the better dining establishments in and around the Stowe area.

"Buyer's Brokers value lies in the expertise they offer in their given market" says Bordner. He educates buyers on the many residential communities in and around the Stowe area where new homes/condos, building sites or resales are being offered. He walks the properties, views all their model homes and condos, visits resale properties etc. Buyer's Brokers must be extremely knowledgeable as to the market value of properties in the area.

The best thing about using an exclusive Buyer's Broker is that it should not cost you anything! In nearly all transactions today, Buyer's Brokers get paid by splitting the commission that is paid to the seller's broker. In a new home community, where the developer is building and selling homes and condos themselves, the developer will pay your Buyer's Broker a fee.

The price of the homes and condos remain the same, no matter if you visit the development on your own or with a Buyer's Broker ... the developer will pay their on site sales people a fee or your Buyer's Broker ... it's the same property cost…..

"My office only works with buyers of real estate," says Bordner... "we do not take any residential listings, we do not represent any sellers, or any particular community - our allegiance is 100% to our Buyer clients.

So, when shopping for Real Estate, why not "always" take a Buyers Agent with you ?

Questions for potential "Exclusive Buyers Agents"….

Before buying any type of real estate you should interview several real estate agents... and ask all the agents you interview these questions:

• Do you spend 100% of your time representing Buyers?

• Will you guarantee me that you will not be representing any seller at any time while you are working for me?

• Do you, or the company you are with, ever list properties for sale?

• Will you point out all the negative aspects of each property as well as all the positive aspects so I will be fully informed when making my decision?

• Will you provide information on comparable sales and help me formulate an offering price and negotiating strategy?

• Do you have a list of lenders, home inspectors, insurance agents and other professionals that you recommend?

• Will you tell me everything you can find out about the seller and their reasons for selling?

• Will you show me all the homes on the market that meet my needs, including For Sale By Owner properties, foreclosures, and other properties?

• Will you guarantee that any information I give you will be kept confidential?

• Will you guarantee me your undivided loyalty?

• Will you guarantee me you will not try to change your relationship with me to "dual agency", “limited agency”, "designated agent", “transactional agent", or any other form of agency that offers reduced levels of service ?

NOTE: Only an Exclusive Buyers Agent working with you in an Exclusive Buyers Agency can answer “Yes” to ALL of the questions.