It happens all the time. You’re driving through a neighborhood you love, and suddenly you spot it—the perfect house. Your heart skips a beat, your palms get a little sweaty, and before you know it, your phone is in your hand.

There’s the number, right there on the sign in the yard. Easy, right? One quick call and you’ll be inside the house before dinner.

But here’s the thing… calling that number might not be your best move. Let me explain why.

The Hidden Catch

That number on the sign? It belongs to the listing agent—the person the seller hired to sell their home.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Listing agents are fantastic at what they do. They’re knowledgeable, experienced, and skilled negotiators. But here’s their job description in the simplest terms:

👉 Get the very best deal possible for the seller.

That’s right—the seller. Not you.

Think of it like this: if you were getting divorced (hopefully never, but stay with me), would you use your ex’s attorney to represent you in court? Probably not. Because at the end of the day, their lawyer has one responsibility: protect their client’s best interests.

That’s exactly how it works in real estate.

Why This Matters

When you call the listing agent directly, you don’t have anyone representing your interests.

No one negotiating on your behalf.
No one pointing out red flags you might not notice.
No one saying, “Hey, this inspection clause could cost you thousands if you’re not careful.”

And trust me—there are always red flags. Maybe it’s a roof that’s been “patched” instead of replaced. Maybe it’s a foundation crack cleverly hidden with fresh paint. Maybe it’s a price that looks fair on paper but is wildly inflated compared to the house down the street.

Without someone in your corner, you’re walking into the biggest purchase of your life completely unprotected.

Enter: The Buyer’s Agent

This is where having your own buyer’s agent changes the game.

A buyer’s agent works for you.
We’re the ones negotiating to get you the best price.
We’re the ones saying, “This house looks perfect, but here are three things you need to know before you fall too hard.”

Here’s what I do as a buyer’s agent:

✅ Negotiate so you don’t overpay.
✅ Keep an eye out for hidden details in the contract.
✅ Protect your budget like it’s my own.

In short—I’ve got your back.

The Smarter Play

So what should you do when you see that dream home with the shiny “For Sale” sign out front?

Here’s the smarter move:

1️⃣ Find an agent you trust (hi 👋).
2️⃣ Let me reach out to the listing agent.
3️⃣ Sit back and relax knowing someone is 100% on your side from start to finish.

That way, you get all the information you need, all the access to the property, and all the professional expertise—without the risk of going it alone.

A Quick Story

A few months ago, a colleague worked with a young couple buying their very first home. They’d seen a house online and almost called the listing agent directly. But instead, they reached out to my colleague first.

When they toured the house together, the couple was smitten—it had the open kitchen, the backyard for their dog, the whole package. But as we walked through, my colleague pointed out a few things:

Long story short, they were able to negotiate the price down, secure a credit from the seller to cover part of the furnace replacement, and get them into the home at a number they could actually afford.

If they had called the listing agent directly? None of that would have happened.

Don’t Go It Alone

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. And while it’s tempting to call the number on the sign, it’s almost always smarter to have someone in your corner—someone who wakes up every day thinking about how to protect your interests, not the seller’s.

So, if you’re thinking about buying this year, let’s talk. I’d love to be the one in your corner making sure your next home is the right fit, at the right price, with the right protections in place.