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Why should I hire a buyer's agent? |
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In general, this is a question about representation. A buyers agent works solely on behalf of the buyer and owes fiduciary obligations to the buyer, which include, but are not limited to… Loyalty, Confidentiality, Obedience and Full Disclosure. A “transaction agent”, which is what the vast majority of real estate agents in the Naples area classify themselves, assists the buyer throughout the real estate transaction but does not owe the same fiduciary obligations as a buyers agent. A “transaction agent” in fact, often times represents both the seller and the buyer in the same transaction.
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Who pays a buyers agent? |
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The seller or listing agent pays Smith-Klein. Our comprehensive services are offered at no cost to the buyer.
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Is a written buyer agent agreement required? |
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Yes, it is required by the Florida Real Estate Commission. The agreement outlines our duties to the buyer and details how the agency relationship works. The buyer agency agreement is required to be provided to the buyer, but the buyer is not required to sign the agreement… Again, it simply discloses our obligations to the buyer.
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How long does the buyer agreement last? |
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It can be for any length of time, from one day to a few months. Most clients prefer a 60 to 90 day agreement. At Smith-Klein, our buyer agreements may be cancelled by the Buyer at any time.
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Does Smith-Klein charge an hourly fee or a retainer fee? |
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No.
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Does the agreement only pertain to properties in the Naples area, or does it cover all properties? |
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The Smith-Klein buyer agent agreement only pertains to real estate in the Naples area. Our agency is focused on representing buyers in the greater Naples area, which encompasses Collier County only.
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Do we owe anything to Smith-Klein if we don’t purchase a home? |
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No. Smith-Klein only receives compensation upon a closed transaction, and said compensation is paid by the seller or seller’s listing agent.
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Will we have access to “For sale by owner” properties? |
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Yes. The buyer agent agreement covers all available properties in the Naples area, whether they are listed or not. Nearly all sellers welcome a professionally represented buyer.
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Does Smith-Klein also list property for sale? |
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Absolutely not. We work exclusively with buyers and never represent sellers.
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Can you tell me if you think a property is overpriced? |
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Yes. As a buyer’s agent, we can provide our opinion as to the market value of a property. At Smith-Klein, we utilize advanced market research tools in order to develop a comprehensive assessment of market value.
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Can you help me with home inspections? |
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Yes. We can provide you with a list of recommended qualified home inspectors to suit your inspection needs.
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Can you help with financing? |
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Yes. At Smith-Klein, we deal with a variety of qualified mortgage brokers and banks in the Naples area. We never accept any referral fees and we will always recommend a lender and or mortgage broker that will best suit your needs.
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