This is an excellent question, and one of great debate. Ultimately, how the real estate purchasing process goes should be entirely up to the buyer….within reason. We believe the Realtor’s role is assisting the buyer through the process as an encouraging, objective, non-biased, industry expert.
Realtors Should Provide a variety of options.
The Realtor is there to present information and provide choices to the buyer. They should have an ongoing, and every evolving, list of optional inspection and service industry professionals. Notice we said, ever-evolving. One industry flaw is that real estate professionals can tend to rely on the same professionals, never branching out to vet others. This can be unfortunate for their home buyers, as buyers may not be presented with the best industry professionals available to them. It is a Realtor’s duty and responsibility to cast a wide and broad net when vetting inspectors, lenders, contractors, and engineers. Additionally, the Realtor is obligated to provide a vast and vetted list of options to every buyer.
Ultimately it’s the home buyer’s choice.
Every buyer-Realtor relationship is unique. Depending on the relationship, the amount of trust and degree of freedom given to the Realtor may differ. We understand that some buyers enter into the process with complete and blind trust with their agent. And that is perfectly fine, so long as all parties are aware of that expectation. However, we have seen, on occasion, where Realtors take on the roll of ultimate decision maker on all angles for the home buyer. This can be to the detriment of the home buyer because their opportunity to choose has been displaced, sometimes without their knowing.
We recommend over communication.
Communication is imperative to having a successful real estate buying experience. Buyers should ask a lot of questions, after all, this is a major financial undertaking. Buyers should never feel rushed or pressured into making a decision. And finally, buyers should have a say in who sits on their side of the table throughout their home buying experience.
Be mindful and stay awake.
It all comes down to mindfulness. Buying a home is not a process where anyone can turn off their mind and rely entirely on the judgments, wants, or needs of another person. Every party, whether it be the Realtor, brokerage, inspector, engineer, etc.. has a responsibility to show up fully representing the client above and beyond themselves personally.
And collectively, all have a responsibility to serve the client as a united team, together making an overall excellent experience for the home buyer!
