Ok what do you guys expect from an agent? Mine is not very good at getting back to me. We looked at houses Friday and he was supposed to email me later that day and let me know Monday's plan, and at that time i would let him know our work schedules. He never got back to me so at 4:30 i emailed him 2 more houses we were interested in haven't heard back. I know he gets email to his phone so I am a little annoyed. I wouldn't mind looking on the weekends either but he cannot be reached. He is through a business and it is his full time job. So am I expecting to much? I hate not knowing our plan until the day of and we have to do it in the morning because I work late afternoon. What do you guys think?
real estate agents
- Thread starter ram_man
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Get another agent.
Best is to not settle on an agent but scare up your own leads.
Find your OWN house that you love, and meet with their agent.
An agent is funny to deal with. They take sides as the negotiations sway back and forth when you are trying to purchase. They follow and side who controls the last piece of paperwork that can close the deal, nothing more.
Be very aware of this. They only want their commission and won't hesitate to put the screws on you when it suits them.
I was purchasing a house in the West Island and the basement smelled funny. He sat there through the whole inspection as he sensed I was looking for a deal breaker as the smell became very apparent as it was raining for a few days before the inspection date.
Well, we found mold by a washer and drier and I seized on it and broke the sale as we got the itch to walk.
We made the mistake (false sense of loyalty who knows) to use him when we wanted to sell a house in Kirkland. He seemed mad we were going to turn a profit and it bothered us a bit.
We ran into issues during the sale (it was a house built in 1971) and the buyer wanted to find faults using their own inspector. Fair enough.
So they found the usual aluminum wiring, there had been leaks in the roof in the past that made the previous owner redo the roof but there were old water stains, some old previously wet insulation at the back of a Mansourd roof etc.
So we KNEW our house would sell for what we asked for. The agent seemed to dislike our fortune and was willing to make a quick sale at a reduced price and I knew what he was up to.
When he told me their inspector found major flaws that I would need to declare to any future people that were viewing the home, it would result in a devalued house and we'd need to reduce our asking price.
So he said I needed to read THEIR inspectors report and SIGN that I read it. I knew that would paint me into a corner, as it was all [censored] on a really old 2 storey house that were problems you'd expect and all the listings in the area shared anyway.
I told him I'm not reading their inspectors report, and I don't NEED to sign anything in life. That made him furious and he said to I HAD TO.
Well, I didn't sign it. And it sold for asking. And, no, I won't ever trust a Realtor again. Ever.
It did work out in the end, but it was stressful playing a game with our agent.
Find your OWN house that you love, and meet with their agent.
An agent is funny to deal with. They take sides as the negotiations sway back and forth when you are trying to purchase. They follow and side who controls the last piece of paperwork that can close the deal, nothing more.
Be very aware of this. They only want their commission and won't hesitate to put the screws on you when it suits them.
I was purchasing a house in the West Island and the basement smelled funny. He sat there through the whole inspection as he sensed I was looking for a deal breaker as the smell became very apparent as it was raining for a few days before the inspection date.
Well, we found mold by a washer and drier and I seized on it and broke the sale as we got the itch to walk.
We made the mistake (false sense of loyalty who knows) to use him when we wanted to sell a house in Kirkland. He seemed mad we were going to turn a profit and it bothered us a bit.
We ran into issues during the sale (it was a house built in 1971) and the buyer wanted to find faults using their own inspector. Fair enough.
So they found the usual aluminum wiring, there had been leaks in the roof in the past that made the previous owner redo the roof but there were old water stains, some old previously wet insulation at the back of a Mansourd roof etc.
So we KNEW our house would sell for what we asked for. The agent seemed to dislike our fortune and was willing to make a quick sale at a reduced price and I knew what he was up to.
When he told me their inspector found major flaws that I would need to declare to any future people that were viewing the home, it would result in a devalued house and we'd need to reduce our asking price.
So he said I needed to read THEIR inspectors report and SIGN that I read it. I knew that would paint me into a corner, as it was all [censored] on a really old 2 storey house that were problems you'd expect and all the listings in the area shared anyway.
I told him I'm not reading their inspectors report, and I don't NEED to sign anything in life. That made him furious and he said to I HAD TO.
Well, I didn't sign it. And it sold for asking. And, no, I won't ever trust a Realtor again. Ever.
It did work out in the end, but it was stressful playing a game with our agent.
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Well I found all of the houses we have looked at he hasn't done that either. When he said he was going to he didn't. How would I go about the usda loan if I didn't have a realtor? And write up contracts? How should I go about getting another one if i chose to?
He is a cool guy I think he is pretty honest but hard to reach and isn't doing the leg work.
He is a cool guy I think he is pretty honest but hard to reach and isn't doing the leg work.
IMO, one day turn around time on any communication, although I'd expect better. You should be getting a response by the end of the day (whatever the agent's end of day is) that at least gives you an explanation of what's going on.
Personally, I would not be looking without an agent. By default that means that the sellers agent in also your agent (I'm not a fan of dual agency). However, I would say take anything your agent says with a grain of salt, they are out to close a deal, so do your own research. There is nothing wrong with interviewing multiple agents, if someone isn't willing to take a half an hour or hour to meet with you so you can feel them out, there probably isn't going to be a good level of service.
I'd also spend some time calling around to feel out other parties you're going to work with like inspector, lawyer, banks, etc.
My experience is based in NY only so the norms may vary in Arkansas.
Personally, I would not be looking without an agent. By default that means that the sellers agent in also your agent (I'm not a fan of dual agency). However, I would say take anything your agent says with a grain of salt, they are out to close a deal, so do your own research. There is nothing wrong with interviewing multiple agents, if someone isn't willing to take a half an hour or hour to meet with you so you can feel them out, there probably isn't going to be a good level of service.
I'd also spend some time calling around to feel out other parties you're going to work with like inspector, lawyer, banks, etc.
My experience is based in NY only so the norms may vary in Arkansas.
Why tie yourself to one agent? You haven't signed a contract, if you're not satisfied move on. I would be in contact with several agents at once.
That being said, keep in mind to real estate agents, sellers, i.e. listings, are far more valuable than a would be buyer.
A buyer could run them ragged showing other agents listings then disappear, purchased from someone else, or have the deal fall through for one reason or another.
That being said, keep in mind to real estate agents, sellers, i.e. listings, are far more valuable than a would be buyer.
A buyer could run them ragged showing other agents listings then disappear, purchased from someone else, or have the deal fall through for one reason or another.
Unless you have signed a buyer's agent agreement, then you are free to talk to any agent and negotiate your own purchase. Keep that in mind as you work through this.
Your questions:
How would I go about the USDA loan if I didn't have a realtor? Start by contacting your local USDA Service Center. They are supposed to be one stop centers for rural development and the government programs that provide assistance. They should be able to provide you with an overview of the application process and a list of approved lenders. You should do this regardless of whether you stick with the current agent you are unhappy with. You may also want to go through a pre-approval process, to minimize the time spent in getting your loan when you do find the right house.
And write up contracts? You can engage a lawyer to handle to review any real estate contract that may be proposed. It is up to the seller to provide a proposed real estate contract, not you.
How should I go about getting another one if i chose to?
See my first comment above. It appears you are not obligated.
Pls note that I have never purchased any real estate in Arkansas, so I am basing my answers on personal experiences in other states.
Your questions:
How would I go about the USDA loan if I didn't have a realtor? Start by contacting your local USDA Service Center. They are supposed to be one stop centers for rural development and the government programs that provide assistance. They should be able to provide you with an overview of the application process and a list of approved lenders. You should do this regardless of whether you stick with the current agent you are unhappy with. You may also want to go through a pre-approval process, to minimize the time spent in getting your loan when you do find the right house.
And write up contracts? You can engage a lawyer to handle to review any real estate contract that may be proposed. It is up to the seller to provide a proposed real estate contract, not you.
How should I go about getting another one if i chose to?
See my first comment above. It appears you are not obligated.
Pls note that I have never purchased any real estate in Arkansas, so I am basing my answers on personal experiences in other states.
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JHZR2
Staff member
You're looking at houses?
Remember that a real estate agent that is showing a buyer homes is actually working for the seller. The seller pays their check in the end.
Remember that a real estate agent that is showing a buyer homes is actually working for the seller. The seller pays their check in the end.
Forget the agents! At least until you need them. There is an astounding number of real eastate websites across the nation to do your online shopping at. Find what you want first then see an agent, if necessary.
Personally, I search for foreclosures online, and get great bargains.
Personally, I search for foreclosures online, and get great bargains.
If you're not legally obligated, find another agent.
I've only dealt with one agent so far, and she was the opposite of yours -- even bordering on being a pest. But she got the job done.
I've only dealt with one agent so far, and she was the opposite of yours -- even bordering on being a pest. But she got the job done.
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- Dec 30, 2006
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- 29,558
Originally Posted By: Doog
Get another agent.
^^This
Get another agent.
^^This
Originally Posted By: Falken
Best is to not settle on an agent but scare up your own leads.
Find your OWN house that you love, and meet with their agent.
An agent is funny to deal with. They take sides as the negotiations sway back and forth when you are trying to purchase. They follow and side who controls the last piece of paperwork that can close the deal, nothing more.
Be very aware of this. They only want their commission and won't hesitate to put the screws on you when it suits them.
I was purchasing a house in the West Island and the basement smelled funny. He sat there through the whole inspection as he sensed I was looking for a deal breaker as the smell became very apparent as it was raining for a few days before the inspection date.
Well, we found mold by a washer and drier and I seized on it and broke the sale as we got the itch to walk.
We made the mistake (false sense of loyalty who knows) to use him when we wanted to sell a house in Kirkland. He seemed mad we were going to turn a profit and it bothered us a bit.
We ran into issues during the sale (it was a house built in 1971) and the buyer wanted to find faults using their own inspector. Fair enough.
So they found the usual aluminum wiring, there had been leaks in the roof in the past that made the previous owner redo the roof but there were old water stains, some old previously wet insulation at the back of a Mansourd roof etc.
So we KNEW our house would sell for what we asked for. The agent seemed to dislike our fortune and was willing to make a quick sale at a reduced price and I knew what he was up to.
When he told me their inspector found major flaws that I would need to declare to any future people that were viewing the home, it would result in a devalued house and we'd need to reduce our asking price.
So he said I needed to read THEIR inspectors report and SIGN that I read it. I knew that would paint me into a corner, as it was all [censored] on a really old 2 storey house that were problems you'd expect and all the listings in the area shared anyway.
I told him I'm not reading their inspectors report, and I don't NEED to sign anything in life. That made him furious and he said to I HAD TO.
Well, I didn't sign it. And it sold for asking. And, no, I won't ever trust a Realtor again. Ever.
It did work out in the end, but it was stressful playing a game with our agent.
Wow, you would be in some serious legal trouble in Ohio for failing to disclose problems with your real estate. Pretty dishonest if you ask me.
Best is to not settle on an agent but scare up your own leads.
Find your OWN house that you love, and meet with their agent.
An agent is funny to deal with. They take sides as the negotiations sway back and forth when you are trying to purchase. They follow and side who controls the last piece of paperwork that can close the deal, nothing more.
Be very aware of this. They only want their commission and won't hesitate to put the screws on you when it suits them.
I was purchasing a house in the West Island and the basement smelled funny. He sat there through the whole inspection as he sensed I was looking for a deal breaker as the smell became very apparent as it was raining for a few days before the inspection date.
Well, we found mold by a washer and drier and I seized on it and broke the sale as we got the itch to walk.
We made the mistake (false sense of loyalty who knows) to use him when we wanted to sell a house in Kirkland. He seemed mad we were going to turn a profit and it bothered us a bit.
We ran into issues during the sale (it was a house built in 1971) and the buyer wanted to find faults using their own inspector. Fair enough.
So they found the usual aluminum wiring, there had been leaks in the roof in the past that made the previous owner redo the roof but there were old water stains, some old previously wet insulation at the back of a Mansourd roof etc.
So we KNEW our house would sell for what we asked for. The agent seemed to dislike our fortune and was willing to make a quick sale at a reduced price and I knew what he was up to.
When he told me their inspector found major flaws that I would need to declare to any future people that were viewing the home, it would result in a devalued house and we'd need to reduce our asking price.
So he said I needed to read THEIR inspectors report and SIGN that I read it. I knew that would paint me into a corner, as it was all [censored] on a really old 2 storey house that were problems you'd expect and all the listings in the area shared anyway.
I told him I'm not reading their inspectors report, and I don't NEED to sign anything in life. That made him furious and he said to I HAD TO.
Well, I didn't sign it. And it sold for asking. And, no, I won't ever trust a Realtor again. Ever.
It did work out in the end, but it was stressful playing a game with our agent.
Wow, you would be in some serious legal trouble in Ohio for failing to disclose problems with your real estate. Pretty dishonest if you ask me.
Doog, I disclosed all faults I was aware of.
Any faults that the buyer found with their inspector was just to be used as leverage for me to reduce my asking price.
I wasn't willing to read the inspection that they had done that is all.
I had my own inspector before I purchased, and I made that PDF available to anyone that was looking at the house.
No, we aren't required to read an inspection done by a potential buyer.
And, it was that buyer who had the inspection done that was the buyer in the end.
So Doog, nothing dishonest on my part.
Any faults that the buyer found with their inspector was just to be used as leverage for me to reduce my asking price.
I wasn't willing to read the inspection that they had done that is all.
I had my own inspector before I purchased, and I made that PDF available to anyone that was looking at the house.
No, we aren't required to read an inspection done by a potential buyer.
And, it was that buyer who had the inspection done that was the buyer in the end.
So Doog, nothing dishonest on my part.
Get a new agent or work with several agents. You don't have a contract in a typical situation where an agent is showing you homes, so let them know up front that if the agent isn't super responsive you will use someone else.
Be aware that your real estate agent who is showing you homes, actually works for the seller only. That is who pays their fee. Remember that and be careful saying anything in front of the agent you are using when looking at homes or making an offer. Your agent and the seller's listing agent are always working for the seller, that is who will pay them their commission, and as a result they have a fiduciary duty to get the seller their best possible price and deal.
You can hire a "buyers" agent and pay them a separate fee to help you buy a home. In this special case only the "buyers" agent would be working for the buyer only and would get absolutely no commission from the seller or the sale of the home.
Be aware that your real estate agent who is showing you homes, actually works for the seller only. That is who pays their fee. Remember that and be careful saying anything in front of the agent you are using when looking at homes or making an offer. Your agent and the seller's listing agent are always working for the seller, that is who will pay them their commission, and as a result they have a fiduciary duty to get the seller their best possible price and deal.
You can hire a "buyers" agent and pay them a separate fee to help you buy a home. In this special case only the "buyers" agent would be working for the buyer only and would get absolutely no commission from the seller or the sale of the home.
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Originally Posted By: ram_man
Ok what do you guys expect from an agent? Mine is not very good at getting back to me. We looked at houses Friday and he was supposed to email me later that day and let me know Monday's plan, and at that time i would let him know our work schedules. He never got back to me so at 4:30 i emailed him 2 more houses we were interested in haven't heard back. I know he gets email to his phone so I am a little annoyed. I wouldn't mind looking on the weekends either but he cannot be reached. He is through a business and it is his full time job. So am I expecting to much? I hate not knowing our plan until the day of and we have to do it in the morning because I work late afternoon. What do you guys think?
Change. There are very professional agents out there, you do NOT have one!
RE agents are no different than other sales pros. Some are professional and competent, and others are not or do not care.
Check their sales and determine if they are good at piling up listings or good at SELLING properties.
Ok what do you guys expect from an agent? Mine is not very good at getting back to me. We looked at houses Friday and he was supposed to email me later that day and let me know Monday's plan, and at that time i would let him know our work schedules. He never got back to me so at 4:30 i emailed him 2 more houses we were interested in haven't heard back. I know he gets email to his phone so I am a little annoyed. I wouldn't mind looking on the weekends either but he cannot be reached. He is through a business and it is his full time job. So am I expecting to much? I hate not knowing our plan until the day of and we have to do it in the morning because I work late afternoon. What do you guys think?
Change. There are very professional agents out there, you do NOT have one!
RE agents are no different than other sales pros. Some are professional and competent, and others are not or do not care.
Check their sales and determine if they are good at piling up listings or good at SELLING properties.
Originally Posted By: ram_man
I went into a real estate office and sat down with them and told them i wanted to buy a house. So i guess I have a buyers agent. He has even pointed out problems in homes.
Nope you absolutely don't have a buyer's agent - that's what they want you to think.
The ONLY way you get a buyer's agent is where you sign a contract up front to pay the buyer's agent a agreed upon fee BEFORE they ever show you a house. Then when you buy a house with that agent they would not get any commission from that sale, instead they get just the fee from the contract you signed for representing you as a buyers agent.
Unless you sign a fee based 'Buyers" agent contract what you have when you use a real estate agent to help you look at houses is a sellers agent in disguise, they will independently take you around and show you various homes (many listed by other agents) but if you get serious about a specific home, you need to be fully aware that "your" agent is 100% working for the seller in the negotiations and sales process. It is amazing how many people do not understand this critical piece of info in a very important and expensive transaction.
btw - any agent, including seller agents, are required by law to proactively tell you about any known defects in a property.
I went into a real estate office and sat down with them and told them i wanted to buy a house. So i guess I have a buyers agent. He has even pointed out problems in homes.
Nope you absolutely don't have a buyer's agent - that's what they want you to think.
The ONLY way you get a buyer's agent is where you sign a contract up front to pay the buyer's agent a agreed upon fee BEFORE they ever show you a house. Then when you buy a house with that agent they would not get any commission from that sale, instead they get just the fee from the contract you signed for representing you as a buyers agent.
Unless you sign a fee based 'Buyers" agent contract what you have when you use a real estate agent to help you look at houses is a sellers agent in disguise, they will independently take you around and show you various homes (many listed by other agents) but if you get serious about a specific home, you need to be fully aware that "your" agent is 100% working for the seller in the negotiations and sales process. It is amazing how many people do not understand this critical piece of info in a very important and expensive transaction.
btw - any agent, including seller agents, are required by law to proactively tell you about any known defects in a property.
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our house is currently for sale and my belief of "Never trust anyone on commission to do the right thing for you" still holds true. In the end they just want their commission whether it is a buyers or sellers.
We did have our own pre inspection which I may not recommend doing. Why, we found a potential issue (all homes in our subdivision have the same issue) but because we now know for certain that it is an issue we have to disclose it, had we not known ignorance is bliss. Yes, it probably would have been found on the buyers inspection but at least that would be negotiable, now it is disclosed up front. Not a safety or health issue, just a form of polybutelene piping on the main water feed. Still a buyers market out there, a zillion homes for sale, all those that could not sell between 2010 and 2012
We did have our own pre inspection which I may not recommend doing. Why, we found a potential issue (all homes in our subdivision have the same issue) but because we now know for certain that it is an issue we have to disclose it, had we not known ignorance is bliss. Yes, it probably would have been found on the buyers inspection but at least that would be negotiable, now it is disclosed up front. Not a safety or health issue, just a form of polybutelene piping on the main water feed. Still a buyers market out there, a zillion homes for sale, all those that could not sell between 2010 and 2012
Quote:
Change. There are very professional agents out there, you do NOT have one!
RE agents are no different than other sales pros. Some are professional and competent, and others are not or do not care.
Check their sales and determine if they are good at piling up listings or good at SELLING properties.
Best advice here bar none. Having been there and done that I concur....fire that one and look for a pro. The professionals that have been in the business for decades know what they need to do and offer sage advice as well. They help not hinder.
Change. There are very professional agents out there, you do NOT have one!
RE agents are no different than other sales pros. Some are professional and competent, and others are not or do not care.
Check their sales and determine if they are good at piling up listings or good at SELLING properties.
Best advice here bar none. Having been there and done that I concur....fire that one and look for a pro. The professionals that have been in the business for decades know what they need to do and offer sage advice as well. They help not hinder.
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