A lot of first time home buyers are hiring a sub-agent also known as seller's agent and it's important to know that these agents work for the vendor, not the home buyer. Vendor's real estate agents are actually hired to work for the seller and bring the home buyer to the deal, however these people will work on a commission with certain rights as well as duties to the buyer.
Regulations differ from one state to another, however there are certain things they cannot do based on federal law. The writer of '100 Questions Every Home Buyer Should Ask' encourages all buyers to check all the realtor's forms and disclosures carefully to understand exactly what types of services they'll be providing; if you don't understand anything, don't sign the form. It is also essential to know the key elements that a seller's agent can and cannot do for you:
The sub-agent can give you complete pricing lists of similar homes in the area. These are typically known as 'comps' and are a compilation of comparable homes in the area, listing information as well as their list rates. This information ensures that you're not providing, or being given, an unreasonable price when it's time to make a deal.
The sub-agent cannot tell you which home to select when you are still deciding. Though it's the seller's agent's task to sell you the house they are commissioned to sell, they don't have a right to 'push' their home over another in question. If you want two homes and the Minnesota real estate agent is working with both vendors, they cannot persuade you to buy one over the other house; the choice is ultimately yours to make.
The sub-agent cannot point out flaws of the the house. The seller's broker can't say anything that would affect your final decision to buy, or not buy, the home. Any kind of material concealed flaws can be disclosed, but you will need to conduct your own research to check if the home is within good condition.
The seller's agent can't give tips on the best deal for the home. It can be tempting to ask the vendor how much you should pay for the property, but they can not legally offer this information anytime during your communications. The sub-agent has certain responsibilities to the seller, so this information may hinder on that relationship.
The sub-agent can ask you for recommendations. Many sub-agents are usually independent entrepreneurs and are constantly seeking for new clients. They do have the right to ask you to refer them to your friends or family members, and will do their best to make your home buying experience a good one.
When you're working with a sub-agent being a first time buyer, it is important to keep in mind that they are in the business to help make the home buying process as easy as possible. This doesn't always indicate that they've got your best interests in mind, so it's important to conduct your research about the house and work with a professional MN real estate agent in addition to the seller's agent.