What is an EBA?
An Exclusive Buyer Agent represents only the home buyer, for a more trustworthy real estate process.
Exclusive Buyer Agents (EBAs) work within a company that never represents sellers and never takes listings. Because of that, EBAs and their company have a fiduciary relationship with their buyer-clients, which includes the following duties:
- Loyalty
- Obedience
- Confidentiality
- Accounting
- Reasonable skill and care
- Disclosure
This level of protection and dedication is not available under other types of real estate agency. By the virtue of their fiduciary relationship with the home buyer, Exclusive Buyer Agents will disclose information to the buyer that materially affects a buyers best interests, even if the seller wouldn't want you to know! A common listing agent cannot make such disclosures and must remain loyal to the seller. EBAs are uniquely qualified to help even the first-time home buyer get the best deal they can!
This is a critical distinction that separates an Exclusive Buyer Agent from the dual agency practice that is common among real estate companies. Here are further examples:
- An Exclusive Buyer Agent can provide guidance about how much to offer for a home and share insights that would provide an advantage to the buyer.
- An Exclusive Buyer Agent negotiates exclusively on the buyers behalf, seeking the best price and terms for the buyer.
- An Exclusive Buyer Agent works to protect their clients with contractual contingencies, designed with the buyers best interests in mind.
Exclusive Buyer Agents are licensed real estate professionals who work under the management of an Exclusive Buyer Broker. NAEBA members are Exclusive Buyer Agents who must adhere to the strict standards outlined by NAEBA. This includes a willingness to work only with home buyers with a commitment to NAEBA standards of professional conduct, ethics and principals.
An Exclusive Buyer Broker represents a higher level of industry education and licensing. NAEBA members who are Exclusive Buyer Brokers adhere to the same strict professional and ethical standards that apply to Exclusive Buyer Agents. Exclusive Buyer Brokers agree to never represent home sellers or accept listings. Like Exclusive Buyer Agents, an Exclusive Buyer Broker only represents home buyers.
Exclusive Buyer Brokers may operate an Exclusive Buyer Agency and manage Exclusive Buyer Agents or Exclusive Buyer Broker Associates.
Some Exclusive Buyer Agents have chosen to show their commitment to Exclusive Buyer Agency by earning the Certified Exclusive Buyer Agent or Certified Exclusive Buyer Agent - Master designation. These designations have some of the strictest standards in the real estate industry.
Choose an Exclusive Buyer Agent when you are next in the market for a new home. In the world of real estate, EBAs are consistently trustworthy, ethical, and just the sort of agent you want in your corner in a competitive housing market!