[Real Estate Joe]

Many times homebuyers will drive around and call the agents who have the sign in the yard (listing agent) and ask them to show them the house. The Listing agent comes out to the home to show you the house......and you love it! At this point, the listing agent DOES NOT represent you in this transaction, so you do not have someone representing your best interests.

In certain markets that move rather quickly and homes sell for full or over the list price, this may not be an issue. In a market where this is not the case, it is always best to have someone represent your best interests.

The key to remember is that a listing agent makes the entire commission instead of having to split the commission with the buyer's agent who is representing you. Contrary to the belief that this will in fact get the buyer a better deal by negotiating through only one agent.