A buyer’s agent: someone on your side
What a buyer’s agent does, what it costs and when it is worth it.
Who works for whom?
The agent who lists a home works for the seller: their task is to sell at a good price. That is fair, but it means nobody in the sale looks after your interests as a buyer. A buyer’s agent does exactly that.
What a buyer’s agent does
- Listens to what you want and searches with you, also among homes of other offices.
- Compares the asking price with similar homes and tells you what it is really worth.
- Visits homes for you when you live abroad, with photos or a video call.
- Negotiates the price and conditions on your behalf.
- Works together with your own lawyer until the title is in your name.
What does it cost?
There are two common ways. Either the buyer’s agent shares the commission that the seller already pays (offices on Casariba can share listings for a split commission), or you agree on a fee yourself. Always agree in writing beforehand what the agent does and what it costs.
When is it worth it?
Especially when you do not know the area or the market, when you buy from abroad, or for a larger purchase. A good buyer’s agent often saves more on the price than they cost.
A buyer’s agent does not replace a lawyer
The legal checks of the title, debts and contracts remain the work of your own independent lawyer.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and amounts can change; always have your own lawyer check your purchase. Most prices are in US dollars; amounts in other currencies are indicative and depend on the exchange rate on the day you pay.