What I Do For You as Your Buyer's Agent
When you hire me as your buyer's agent, I work for you and only you, from the first conversation through the day you get your keys and beyond. Below is exactly what that means, in plain terms, so you know what to expect before we sign anything.
I'm Ryan Hehman, a licensed agent with Compass. I've helped buyers and investors across Washington DC, Prince George's County and Montgomery County since 2019, with a deep focus on Hyattsville and the Route 1 corridor. Many of my clients are first-time buyers, and I also work with investors who need the numbers to make sense.
My legal duties to you
In Maryland these duties are written into law, and they can't be waived or watered down (Md. Bus. Occ. & Prof. §17-532). DC holds buyer agents to the same core standards.
Loyalty. I promote your interests: the price and terms you want, not just a fast closing.
Confidentiality. Your budget, your top number, your timeline and your motivations stay with me. I won't share them with a seller or their agent without your written OK.
Full disclosure. I'll tell you every material fact I know about a property, including the things that are inconvenient.
Following your instructions. You make the decisions. I give you my honest advice, then I carry out your lawful choices.
Reasonable care and diligence. I'll do the homework, track every deadline and catch problems before they cost you.
Accounting. Your earnest money deposit is handled and documented properly, and you'll always know where it is.
Timely offers. I present every written offer and counteroffer to and from you promptly.
Fair housing. I follow all federal, state and local fair housing laws, and I'll never steer you toward or away from a neighborhood.
Before we look at homes
We start with a plan, not a showing. Since August 2024, buyers and agents must sign a written agreement before touring homes together, so we'll settle the terms up front (NAR settlement guide for buyers).
A buyer consultation. We'll talk through your goals, must-haves, deal-breakers, timeline and budget, and I'll walk you through the full buying process from offer to settlement.
A clear buyer agreement. I'll explain every line: how long it lasts, what I'll do and exactly how I'm paid. My fee is negotiable, it's not set by law, and I can't be paid more than what we agree to in writing.
Agency disclosures. I'll explain the Maryland and DC agency forms, including what happens if you want to see a home listed by another Compass agent.
Financing set up right. I'll connect you with trusted local lenders so you're pre-approved, not just pre-qualified, before we write an offer.
First-time buyer help. If you're buying your first home, I'll point you to the down payment and closing cost assistance programs in Maryland and DC that you may qualify for.
Investor goals. If you're investing, we'll define your target returns, rent assumptions and hold strategy before we shop.
Finding the right home
My job is to show you the right homes, not the most homes.
Custom listing alerts so you see new homes the moment they hit the market.
Access beyond the MLS. Through Compass I can show you Private Exclusives and coming-soon homes that many buyers never see.
Showings that fit your schedule, including live video tours if you can't make it in person.
An honest second set of eyes. At every showing I'll point out condition issues, layout trade-offs and resale concerns, good and bad.
Older-home know-how. Much of DC and Prince George's County is older housing stock. I own an 1884 home in Hyattsville myself, so I know what to look for in roofs, foundations, wiring, plumbing and past renovations.
Real neighborhood insight. I'll help you research commutes, schools, transit, flood zones, planned development and where the Route 1 corridor is headed. You'll get the facts; the choice of neighborhood is always yours.
Numbers for investors. For investment buys, I'll help you run rent comps, cash flow and cap rate estimates and flag local rental licensing rules.
Pricing and winning the offer
I'll make sure you never overpay out of guesswork. Before my time at Compass, I did broker price opinions for ProTek Valuations, so valuing homes the way an appraiser would is second nature to me.
A market analysis on every home you want to bid on, based on recent comparable sales, condition and days on market.
Intel from the listing agent. I'll find out what matters to the seller, such as price, timing, a rent-back or fewer contingencies, so we can shape a stronger offer.
Disclosures reviewed before you sign. Maryland requires you to have the seller's property disclosure or disclaimer in hand before you make an offer (COMAR 09.11.02.02). I'll make sure you do, and help you read it.
Offer strategy built for you. We'll weigh price, escalation clauses, earnest money, appraisal gap coverage, closing cost help, settlement date and which contingencies to keep. I'll explain the risk of each choice.
Contracts prepared correctly on the right Maryland or DC forms, with every addendum your deal needs.
Firm negotiation. I'll push for your price and terms, present every counteroffer promptly and keep you calm in a multiple-offer situation.
From contract to keys
Once your offer is accepted, I manage the timeline so nothing slips.
Deadlines tracked. I'll build a calendar of every contract deadline and keep you, your lender and the title company on it.
Earnest money handled. I'll confirm your deposit reaches the escrow holder on time and is documented.
Inspections. I'll recommend qualified home inspectors and specialists (sewer scope, radon, termite, structural) and attend the inspection.
Repair negotiation. I'll help you decide what matters and negotiate repairs, credits or a price reduction.
Appraisal. If the appraisal comes in low, I'll challenge it with comps where it makes sense and negotiate your next move.
Financing and title. I'll stay in touch with your lender and title company so your loan, insurance and title work close on time.
Condo and HOA documents. I'll make sure you receive them and understand your review and cancellation rights.
Final walkthrough. We'll confirm the home's condition and any agreed repairs before you sign.
Settlement. I'll review your closing figures with you and be there when you get the keys.
After closing
My work doesn't end at settlement. I'll send you trusted contractors, check in after you move in, help you file for Maryland's homestead tax credit or DC's homestead deduction, and give you an updated value whenever you want one. If you ever buy, sell or rent again, I'm one call away.
What you should also know
So there are no surprises, here's where my role stops.
I'm not a lawyer, inspector, appraiser or lender. I'll tell you when you need one and connect you with good ones.
I may work with other buyers. Maryland law lets me represent other buyers looking for similar homes. Your confidential information is never shared with them.
Dual agency only with your written consent. If you want a home my brokerage has listed, I'll explain your options and nothing happens without your signature.
You can always reach me. Call or text with any question, at any stage. No question is too small.
Ready to Get Started?
Reach out any time for a free consultation! Always here to answer questions or talk about your options - no pressure, no obligation.
Call or Text: 443-990-1230
Email: Ryan.Hehman@Compass.com