Connecticut Real Estate
 Buyer's Representative Real Estate - Buyer Brokers

A Buyer in Connecticut will choose one of these:

The three possible approaches to buying property in Connecticut: 

1)  The first choice is what we offer, Exclusive Buyer Agency.   Our agents always represent buyers.  Full effort is made to find the buyer the best possible home.   We take no listings in order to ensure that no conflict of interest can arise.

We show all exclusive listings by area Realtors and unlisted homes that might suit the buyer.   We have no goal other than to do the best possible job for the buyer.

 

2)  The second choice is to work with a buyer's agent from a listing firm.   In this case, the agent will promise to represent your interests.  However, if a conflict arises because his firm also represents the seller of a home you become interested in, the buyer's agreement you sign with this person will likely state that  your buyer's agent will automatically become a dual agent, no longer advocating your position but instead assuming a neutral role.    Another alternative you also select at this point would be to have your agent become a "designated agent".   

Note:  Designated agency was created in 1999. Under this law, a single real estate office can promise the seller to get them the highest price for a home, while simultaneously promising the buyer to get the lowest price for the buyer (using different agents in the same office to represent opposing sides).   This law was heavily opposed by consumer advocacy groups as it was considered to circumvent public protections as set out in the body of agency law,  but was passed through in the last three hours of the 1999 legislative session.    

In sum, the buyer's agent from a listing company will promise to represent your interests, but if conflicts of interest arise, you may by default end up accepting less than full advocacy of your interests.   

Also the focus of listing agents working as buyer's agents is not the same as buyer's agents working in 100% buyer agency firms. 

CAUTION:    While most agents in Connecticut now offer themselves as "Buyer Agents",  99%  are listing agents working in companies that represent both the buyer and the seller. 

CAUTION: You will see Buyer Agents who have the "ABR" Designation  "Accredited Buyer's Representative".  The Irony of this is... LISTING AGENTS PRIMARILY HOLD accreditation which is easily earned by attending a two-day seminar.    

DISTINCTION:   We are Exclusive Buyer's Agents (EBA).    A Buyer's Agent CAN ONLY distinguish themselves as an EBA by working in a FIRM that ONLY REPRESENT BUYERS 100% of the time.   It is a career choice demanding 100% commitment to promoting the buyer's interests, without ANY compromise.   It is our focused mission as a firm to do the best possible work for our buyer clients. 

3)   It is still possible to buy a home through the listing agent, but this requires calling many listings agents, and relinquishing the opportunity of having a buyer's agent seriously conduct your search or advocate your needs.    It is not practical for any agent to devote any serious effort to your search in the absence of a working relationship.    Likewise, it is impractical and inefficient for a buyer to search listings through many companies.   A buyer searching in this way cannot remain competitive in the market against buyers who are well represented.