Doug Francis Real Estate

  • Meet Doug
  • How I Sell Your Home
  • Case Studies
  • Let’s Connect

The REALTOR’s role as a Buyer’s Agent

By Doug Francis

Deed

Image by S Migol via Flickr

The role of a REALTOR changes depending on who the client is, buyer or seller. This list points out some of the typical jobs your buyers agent will perform during the process of buying a home.

A typical real estate transaction will involve about twenty people, and a key role of the agent will be to help manage that process.

The Buyers Agent checklist:

  • Pursue the interests of the Buyer Client
  • Agency Agreement, it’s like a basic job description
  • Helps explain the process, sequence, contracts, mortgages, pre-approvals, closings
  • Reviews Closing Costs on a HUD-1 Estimated Worksheet
  • Explain Earnest Money Deposits, Escrow, and Default
  • Listen and answer questions
  • Shows client homes that client found on the internet or agent found doing research
  • Generates comparable data for Buyer to understand current pricing (very important)
  • Reviews and explains the Regional Sales Contract, Jurisdictional Addendum, Disclaimer Form, Contingencies Addendum, Additional Clause Addendum
  • Completes, with Buyer, and presents any offer to Seller or Seller’s Agent
  • Explains counter-offers, makes sure contract is ratified
  • Helps schedule home inspections, radon tests, termite inspections etc.
  • On new homes, schedule option selections
  • Gets contract to mortgage lender and settlement company
  • Gives Buyer insight into home owners insurance, locking mortgage rate
  • Makes sure appraisal has been ordered within time frame
  • Reviews Home Owner’s Association or Condo Documents and presents them to Buyer for review
  • Contacts Title Company for updates, such as title or survey issues
  • Contacts mortgage lender to make sure loan is in process, and provide any missing information
  • Helps resolve Buyer or Seller issues that may delay closing or void the contract
  • Schedules contractors to evaluate or any repair issues from inspections
  • On new homes, contact builders rep for estimated closing date
  • Schedule closing time, walk-through inspections, walk-through issues
  • Review “rent-back” agreement if necessary
  • Make sure Home Owner’s Insurance Policy is in place
  • Confirm with Title Company that Buyer’s loan documents and Seller documents are ready to be signed
  • Ensure Buyer has Certified Funds for amount due at closing, get proper wiring instructions
  • Provide accurate contacts for utility transfers
  • Be available at closing.

In the Northern Virginia real estate market, virtually every seller agrees to pay the buyer agent compensation. Check with me or your agent to review that paragraph of the Buyer Agent Agreement.

UPDATE 2012: The Virginia General Assembly passed a new consumer protection law that took effect July 1, 2012. Real estate licensees are now required to have written agreements with clients that disclose how they work and get paid. Disclosures forms are required to be signed even if the consumer is “just looking” – the General Assembly believes that consumers need protection and enacted these requirements on their behalf. Here is more about Virginia Code §55-517

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: buyer agent, real estate, Real estate broker, Realtor

About Doug Francis

A seasoned Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug has seen consumer behavior, negotiations and communication styles change. At his original brokerage, he was the first agent to add an email address. Imagine! Outside real estate, he plays tennis, is a Washington Capitals fan, spends time with Skipper (his dog), and enjoys the restaurant scene in the DCA. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house in Vienna, we were thinking about raising the kids, building an addition, and knowing the neighbors. Today, home buyers are attracted to Vienna because of the sense of community, walkability, and small town lifestyle.

So, what’s next after your 25 years? It’s a conversation many of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or get closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead with their updated plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background: I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, have negotiated hundreds of sales contracts, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and still sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let’s discuss your moving plans: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 .  Cheers!

Considering selling your home?

https://youtu.be/0ZSodCtsfkY

Just Sold!

Plum Street home with swimming pool

Looking for a house with a pool in Vienna, VA?

Sold!

https://vimeo.com/1003798838?loop=0

Planning to sell your home?

Case Studies

Continue Reading

Have a question?

Homeowners: Add a level of privacy

name withheld by request

Privacy: Hiding your name

Looking for testimonials?

Read through a collection of client comments originally posted on Zillow, Google and Trulia. See what my clients say...

Looking for a Custom Home?

Insights into New Homes in Vienna VA
Staged kitchen for real estate marketing

Here’s my home seller checklist… imagine you’re Getting Ready to Sell

Getting started is the hardest part for many clients. My Vienna home seller checklist will help you get the ball rolling today.

“Doug nailed it! Within days, we had three offers, one of which not only met, but far exceeded all of our goals.”
– R. Pollard

“He truly was a partner integrating us unto the community and made it easy for us to take advantage of all Vienna has to offer.”
– A. D’Eredita

“We are so thankful we found Doug to guide us through the complex home selling and buying processes!”
– Scott and Jennie

About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I'm licensed in Virginia with a focus on Vienna, VA real estate since 1991.

That deep knowledge is valuable, especially in today's fast-paced market where advice is critical. Although many of my clients are personally referred, I am available to help you too and am accepting new clients right now.

Feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

Search for a subject

Contact

Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
Why do people hire me?

Search for homes in Vienna

Vienna Real Estate Guide

This material can only be used with written permission.

Equal Housing Opportunity

 

Copyright © 2025 Doug Francis · Minimum Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in