Wayne McCormick
Broker/Owner
Realty Executives of Flagstaff
Buying a home is usually the largest purchase and financial commitment most people make in a lifetime. The process of finding and buying a home is both exhausting and complicated. For those reasons, you should find an experienced, local REALTOR® like Wayne McCormick, Broker/Owner at Realty Executives of Flagstaff, to guide you through the process, represent only you, and ensure your best interests are protected from start to finish. Here’s why Wayne is your best choice.
Typically, there are two REALTORS® involved in a real estate transaction.
Both agents are legally bound to represent only the interests of their clients, the buyers and sellers.
Some buyers make the mistake of contacting the listing agent and asking them to show them a home they are interested in. Buyers often think they can “get a better deal” if they work with the seller’s agent.
There are several reasons why that can be a costly mistake.
If you do choose to work with the seller’s agent, your choices of being fully represented are nonexistent. A seller’s agent can help you buy his seller client’s house with these agency choices:
1. Seller Agency – “The licensee has the duty to represent the seller’s best interests in the transaction.” You are not represented.
2. Single Agency – For all practical purposes, the same as a Seller Agency. You are still not represented.
3. Disclosed Dual Agency – A disclosed dual agent is a licensee acting for both the seller and the buyer in the same transaction and with the knowledge and written consent of both parties. The licensee cannot advocate on behalf of one client over the other. You are not fully represented.
None of these choices allow a licensee to fully represent you, the buyer.
Here Are Some Common Pitfalls When A Home Buyer Works Directly With The Listing Agent.
Buyer Representation
When Working With A Buyer’s Agent
After review of the Buyer-Broker information, when both parties come to an agreement, here are some terms and obligations binding both parties under the agreement:
Broker’s Obligation
Buyer’s Obligation
Compensation
For these services, the broker will be paid a fee at closing equal to the amount listed in MLS for the cooperating broker’s payout. For properties not listed with a broker, we will seek compensation from the seller, but the buyer agrees to fund any deficiency up to 3% of the purchase price. This compensation agreement shall apply to all properties that the broker submits for the buyer during the term of this agreement for a period of 120 days beyond the termination date.
Termination
This agreement terminates at 11:59pm on the last day of the term, unless, before that time, the buyer has entered into a contract to purchase property covered by this agreement or if either party notifies the other in writing that they wish to terminate this agreement within 7 days’ notice. If the buyer is under contract to purchase a property, then this agreement will continue if effect until closing.
Mediation
If a dispute arises concerning this agreement and con not be resolved through good faith negotiations, then both parties agree to submit the dispute to mediation. If mediation becomes necessary, the parties will choose a mutually acceptable mediator and will share equally in cost.
A Buyer’s Agent’s job is to advise you through every step of the Homebuying Process.
In summary:
What Are Some Specific Things My Buyer’s Agent Can Do For Me?
Glad you asked, here are just a few from a very long list:
Some ask; “How Much Does A Buyer’s Agent Cost?” But a better question might be: How Much Does NOT Having A Buyer’s Agent Cost?”
There is a cost to hiring someone to act solely on your behalf. First of all, real estate commissions are fully negotiable between the licensee and their proposed client.
Often the seller’s agent has already agreed to share the fee the seller is paying them with the agent that brings the buyer. In any event, you will know exactly what amount you will be responsible for before you sign anything.
Finally, you should make sure the real estate licensee you hire to be your buyer’s agent is a REALTOR® which means they are members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and have pledged to abide by their strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate licensees are REALTORS®.
Contact me with any questions!
928-526-7300
The NAR Settlement: Here’s the Truth and How it Affects You.
1. The settlement forces brokers to reduce their compensation. FALSE
The settlement in no way establishes a standard or limitation on Realtors for what they may charge, nor services they elect to deliver. Those fees have always been negotiable and there has never been any collective bargaining. In every market, there is a wide variety of fees, just as there are levels of marketing, service and competence.
2. The settlement will, for the first time, allow sellers to no longer pay compensation for an agent bringing the buyer. FALSE.
There has never been an obligation for a seller to pay buyer agent compensation, yet it is a practice that’s worked well. A past rule requiring an offer of some amount of compensation was a rule of display on a Realtor-owned MLS, yet it could have been as low as $1. That limitation was removed and today the MLS accepts all listings, regardless of buyer agent consideration.
3. The settlement prohibits sellers from paying a commission to a buyer’s agent and relieves sellers of the financial burden. FALSE.
The mandate restricts buyer agent compensation from displaying on association-owned MLS, yet the practice can’t be restricted in any other form of marketing. Sellers may still elect to pay buyer agent compensation to differentiate their properties. While sellers can elect not to pay buyer agent compensation, that doesn’t mean they will avoid the economics as buyers may write into any offer a contingency requiring the seller to cover the cost or request other concessions.
4. The settlement will serve to meaningfully lower prices and make homeownership affordable again. FALSE.
Values in real estate are determined by supply and demand. Fees in a real estate transaction represent additional expenses, yet these include not only commissions but many other related charges. Should real estate commissions be reduced by 1% because of compression, that $500,000 home will now cost $495,000. Do you think the seller now believes the home is worth less and will happily give the difference to the buyer? The reason home ownership is increasingly less affordable is that homes in our market have significantly risen in value these last few years.
5. The settlement is a win for buyers who will now be able to negotiate the fee for representation. QUESTIONABLE.
For readers who have purchased homes, it is more than likely you were happy to have the seller compensate your agent so you didn’t have to. For buyers who had to provide the down payment and closing expenses, having the commission paid by the seller and incorporated in the home price allowed them to finance the amount over time instead of coming up with additional cash at closing, which in turn could allow them to afford a higher priced home. Most buyers do not have cash in their hand to pay an agent directly, so the sale process is used for that. Only about 30% of sales are cash or with buyers able to pay an agent directly.
6. The settlement will result in significant restitution to consumers who were “harmed” over recent years in their transactions by Realtors. FALSE.
The settlement is huge, yet when one divides the amount by the number of potentially qualifying consumers it works out to about $10 per person.
7. My commitment to providing you with the best possible real estate experience will not change. TRUE.
I was born and raised in this community and have been a real estate professional for over 30 years. The NAR settlement does not change my determination to provide professional, top-notch service to buyers and sellers I represent.
I have had the privilege of working with numerous clients in what is likely their largest investment. I enjoy going above and beyond to help buyers realize their dreams and sellers maximize their returns, and making the process a positive experience for them.
As the 2nd generation Broker/Owner of Realty Executives of Flagstaff, the oldest brokerage in Northern Arizona, I have seen many changes in the industry. Our brokerage has always adapted to the best way to represent buyers and sellers whenever there is a shift in the environment. And we will continue to do so.
Wayne McCormick
Broker Owner
Wayne@WayneMcCormick.com
Realty Executives of Flagstaff
http://www.realtyexecutivesflagstaff.com
15 E. Cherry Ave. "Historical Downtown"
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: (928) 773-9300
Direct Line: (928) 526-9300
In our latest blog post, "Realty Executives of Flagstaff: Community First," we celebrate over 25 years of commitment to affordable housing and community service in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona. This article showcases our active involvement in the Realtor's Initiative and Starter Home Program, emphasizing our dedication to making homeownership accessible for Flagstaff families and strengthening our community's foundation. Discover more about our impactful journey and community-focused efforts by reading the full article here.
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