Who's hosting that Open House this Sunday in the Boston MA area?
It's a new season and many folks are getting back to the business at hand: Looking for single family, condo or multi-family property to call home! This task usually involves visiting Sunday open houses and so we've re-publishing this blog. Here's the information you need to know when you pass through the door and say hello to the person waiting to greet you.
The Internet is usually the place buyers begin their home search. After filtering through the inventory and taking virtual tours, they are ready for the next step. That may mean touring weekend open houses.
If you are a buyer who has not yet engaged the services of an Exclusive Buyer’s Agent, there are things you should know about the role of the real estate agent hosting the open house. The hosting agent may be the Seller’s Exclusive Agent, or the host may be another agent - a Facilitator. The Facilitator is there to answer questions about the property, but she doesn’t represent either the seller or a buyer in that specific role. A Facilitator may become a Buyer’s Representative with a Buyer’s consent.
The Seller’s Exclusive Agent can assist you with the purchase of her exclusive listing but only with Consent to Dual Agency, which would need to be granted by both you and the Seller. Alternatively, the Seller’s Exclusive Listing agent can assist you in the purchase as the Seller’s agent, meaning the Buyer purchases without a “Buyer’s” representative.
The Open House host, regardless of who it is, is required, by a Realtor Code of Ethics, to determine if you are already under contract with an Exclusive Buyer’s Agent before she can engage in a conversation about working with you. Expect to be asked, it doesn’t reflect over aggressiveness.
If you feel the host is someone you would be comfortable with, ask about how you might work with her. In the end, a Seller wants to sell, and a Buyer wants to buy. We just need to be sure everyone understands our responsibilities and obligations to the consumer.
Debby Heffernan, principal
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