Imagine that you find a house in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, or Lake Wylie that you are interested in seeing and perhaps buying. There is a Realtor's name on the sign in front of the house and you think, “Should I call this Realtor?” Well, let me tell you that the simple answer to that is No.

The Realtor on the sign is the last real estate person that you should call. Sound strange? It won't after you read on.

The seller of that home in Rock Hill or Fort Mill is represented by the real estate agent on the sign. You are not. The Realtor on the sign has an obligation to represent the seller's best interests completely in the transaction. Their goal is to get the highest and best offer on selling the house. In doing that, how could he or she possibly represent YOUR best interests? Your goal and the goal of your agent should be to keep as much of your money in your pocket as possible while still getting the home purchased. In order to accomplish that, you should use a buyer's agent when purchasing real estate anywhere, not just property in York County.

Well what about new construction home buying?

On a new home purchase in Lake Wylie, Rock Hill, Fort Mill or any other York County area, should you go directly to the builder or the onsite agent? Once again, the answer is No.

While you may argue that the seller’s representatives are really nice when you walk in the door to chat with those builder's agents, you still need to know that your best interests are not theirs. A builder’s agent is interested in selling that home to you for the highest amount that you are willing to pay and that is it. They will not show you the comparable home sales for the area and tell you about home values in the neighborhood. The listing agent’s job is not to get you a good deal at all. A listing agent or builder agent will sell that house for as much as you are willing to pay and will try to maximize their profit in the sale. Often times that real estate agent will try to sell a homebuyer with upgrades that you may be able to get for free, or request that you use their direct builder lenders. These things result in more charges to the homebuyer. So, who pays for it? You do as the purchaser of the home.

Please call a buyer's agent in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Lake Wylie or wherever in York County that you are interested in making a home purchase. A good buyer's agent will ensure that you get a great deal on a resale or new construction purchase and keep as much of your money in your pocket as possible. Their goal, unlike the listing agent is to help you buy the home for the least amount of money.

So, who pays that Rock Hill or Fort Mill buyer's agent? The seller does, at the close of the transaction.

When you see that great house for you and your family in York County, instead of calling the name of the agent on the sign or dealing with the builder directly, please think of calling me, Ross Harkness, buyer’s agent. I can usually get to the property as fast as any other Realtor can to show it, and I will be obedient and loyal to YOU in the transaction. You can expect me to deal with skill and care in the process while disclosing every detail about the property that might affect your decision. The other Realtor, the seller’s agent on the sign, won't do that for you.

Palmetto Property Pros, buyer agents in York County, want to help you with your next home purchase or real estate transaction. We are also qualified seller’s agents and listing agents.

Thanks and may your real estate transactions be successful,

Ross Harkness, SFR
Realtor®/Builder
Palmetto Property Pros
Wilkinson and Associates Real Estate