Buyer FAQ’s

Buying A Home?

Let us work for you! We encourage you to choose us as your buyer’s broker when purchasing real estate in North Carolina. Having an agent working exclusively for you means someone is looking out for your interests and helping you find the right property.

Because only a portion of available properties are on the market at any given time, finding the right home can take time. We’re here to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help you every step of the way.

Our buyer brokerage services come at no cost to you in many transactions, and working with us requires a written agreement.

Your Home Buying Journey

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make, and we’re here to make sure you never feel like you’re navigating it alone.

From your very first conversation with us through the day you get your keys, we’re by your side — helping you understand your options, find the right property, and move through each step with confidence. Real estate can feel complicated, but it doesn’t have to be complicated for you.

Whether this is your first home or your fifth, we’re with you every step of the way.

Your Questions, Answered

What is a buyer’s agent?

A buyer’s agent is a real estate agent who represents the buyer’s interests during a real estate transaction. When a real estate firm and its agents represent you as a buyer’s agent, they have specific duties to you, including promoting your best interests, being loyal to you, following your lawful instructions, providing material facts that could affect your decisions, using reasonable skill and care, and properly accounting for money they handle on your behalf.
What does a buyer’s agent do?

A buyer’s agent can help guide you through the home-buying process. Depending on your agreement, services may include:

Helping you find homes that meet your needs and budget

Providing information about properties

Helping you understand the buying process

Assisting with financing resources

Helping you evaluate a property

Preparing and submitting an offer when authorized

Negotiating on your behalf

Helping coordinate the transaction through closing

Your specific services and responsibilities will depend on your agency agreement.
Is a buyer’s agent required to keep my information confidential?

Yes. When an agent represents you as your buyer’s agent, they generally cannot disclose your confidential information to the seller or the seller’s agent without your permission while the agency relationship exists.

This is one of the important differences between having your own buyer’s agent and working directly with an agent who represents the seller.
What is a buyer agency agreement?

A buyer agency agreement is an agreement between you and a real estate firm that establishes the agency relationship and explains the services the agent will provide, along with other important terms such as compensation.

Before signing an agency agreement, take the time to read and understand it. If you have questions about the agreement, ask your real estate agent to explain the terms to you.
How is a buyer’s agent compensated?

Buyer-agent compensation can be structured in different ways. Depending on the transaction and the agreement, compensation may come from the buyer, the seller, or another source, or may involve a combination of arrangements.

Your buyer agency agreement should clearly explain how your agent will be compensated and what your financial responsibilities may be.

Be sure you understand the compensation provisions in your agreement before making an offer to purchase a property.
What is the difference between a buyer’s agent and a seller’s agent?

The primary difference is who the agent represents.

A buyer’s agent represents the buyer and works to advance the buyer’s interests within the scope of the agency relationship.

A seller’s agent represents the seller and works to obtain the best possible price and terms for the seller’s property.

Even when working with a seller’s agent, buyers are entitled to certain information, including material facts about the property. However, buyers should understand that confidential information they share with the seller’s agent may be communicated to the seller when required by the agency relationship.
Can I work with a seller’s agent if I don’t have a buyer’s agent?

Yes. A buyer can work with an agent who represents the seller. In this situation, the agent is working for the seller—not the buyer.

The seller’s agent can still provide certain assistance to a buyer, such as providing information about properties and helping facilitate the transaction. However, the agent’s legal duties and loyalties are owed to the seller.
What should I tell a seller’s agent?

Until you know exactly who an agent represents, be careful about sharing personal, financial, or negotiating information that you would not want the seller to know.

For example, you generally should not disclose information about:

The maximum price you are willing to pay
How urgently you need to purchase
Your financial circumstances
Your negotiating strategy
Other confidential information

Ask the agent about the agency relationship before sharing confidential information.
What is dual agency in real estate?

Dual agency occurs when the same real estate firm or agent represents both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction.

This can happen when you are interested in purchasing a property listed by the same firm or agent who is representing you as a buyer.

Because the agent is representing parties with competing interests, there are limitations on what the agent can do for either party. A dual agent must treat both the buyer and seller fairly and equally.
What is designated agency?

Designated agency is a form of dual agency that may be available through some real estate firms.

With designated agency, one agent within the firm represents the seller while another agent within the same firm represents the buyer. This structure may allow each designated agent to more fully represent the interests of their respective client, subject to the applicable agency rules and agreements.
What happens if I buy a home listed by my agent or their firm?

If you are working with an agent as a buyer’s agent and become interested in a property that the agent or their firm represents for the seller, a dual agency situation may arise.

If you have not already agreed to dual agency, you may be asked to sign a separate agreement allowing the agent or firm to represent both sides of the transaction.

Your agent should explain the agency relationship and what it means for you before you agree.
Why is understanding agency important when buying a home in North Carolina?

Understanding real estate agency helps you know who your agent represents, what duties the agent owes you, how confidential information is handled, and how the agent may be compensated.

Before entering into an agency relationship, make sure you understand the agreement and ask questions about anything that is unclear.

At Ardmore Realty, our goal is to make the home-buying process as clear and comfortable as possible so you can make informed decisions about your purchase.
What is earnest money, and how much do I need?

Earnest money is a deposit that shows the seller you’re serious about your offer. It’s typically held in escrow and applied toward your purchase at closing. The amount varies depending on the transaction, and we’ll walk you through what’s appropriate for your situation.
How long does it typically take to buy a home?

Happy Buyers, Real Results

These are just a few of the buyers we’ve had the privilege of helping find their perfect home.

What Our Buyers Are Saying

Jim and Sharon

“Service above and beyond!” is how we think of Robert Newman, our real estate agent. It was a delightful experience from beginning to end. He started with sending us listings tailored to our interests. He was sensitive to our desires and willing to help in whatever way he could. He has such a kind and caring nature. It was a joy to work with him. He also provided many helpful contacts as we settled into our new home.

He guided us so smoothly through the entire process and was a skilled negotiator on our behalf. He moved from being our real estate agent to becoming a treasured friend! He worked in so many ways to ease and enrich our experience in buying our beautiful new home. We feel very fortunate to have found him!”

Robert Newman

Broker

JMBK

“Reiner has sold us two homes in the last year. He is very thorough and quick to provide follow up to any questions we had. His extensive knowledge in property management and home repair was very helpful. We highly recommend his services and would use him again for a home purchase or sale.”

Reiner Kamper

Broker

T. Morris

I love this company. Allison is helping me find my perfect home.

Allison Della Vecchia

Broker

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