BUYING A HOME
It's 2009, and the local market is being driven primarily by first-time buyers in the lower-tier price ranges. The $8000 federal tax credit is helping to bring those first time buyers to the market along with the correction that we have seen in pricing oer the past three years.
Most Buyers in today's market place appreciate the ability to sort
through the possibilities available to them without
being pressured by any Realtor to buy on the
spot!! And eventually they need a Realtor to
gain access to the houses that remain a
possibility. But we are more than
gatekeepers; we educate and inform buyers of
what they can expect to experience through
the buying process. I tell my Seller
clients all the time that an educated
"buyer" is ready to buy... The
uneducated "buyer" is not a buyer at all...just getting ready! 
Buyers typically have plenty of time leading up to the actual purchase of their next house. Buyers are typically more educated to the actual values in the marketplace because their whole process can last up to six months or more! Access to the "inventory"(multiple Listing Service, or MLS)... addresses included, is valuable to potential buyers at the beginning of their process. In this early stage, it might be more appropriate to say that you are a "looker", moving toward becoming a "buyer". At this stage, the consumer will often pass by many homes that would have served their needs. But they are still getting educated. Some buyers will throw exaggerated "low ball" offers at sellers in this stage. If they can find a "deal" they would take it...
The Buyer Agent will also educate the client to the various inspections and contingencies which will protect the buyer from obvious problems that might accompany a purchase. Education and communication are the keys to a smooth transaction.