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06.12.20, 02:16 AM General Topics
20 replies
New first home buyer - friends recommended a friend who is a RE, she sent us listings that were exclusive with her realty co but nothing else and told us we needed to move fast as everything is going quickly. There are a lot of other listings that seem more attractive. Is this normal? or should we seek out an agent who is able to send us the full scope of listings? What is the point of an agent when you can find better listings online? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 06.12.20, 02:16 AM Flag
 

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Do not go with this lady because she's a friend of a friend. Find other agents and interview them. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 02:24 AM Flag
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Where are you looking? I am an agent in Westchester. Happy to answer any questions but my first response is (1) she should be showing listings of other offices not just hers (2) When we send listings, they can often look like they are “our” listings as everything on our MLS shows up on our website. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 02:26 AM Flag
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You don't really need your own agent as a buyer. All the listing are online these days. Just contact the seller agents for whichever homes you want to see and they will be happy to do a showing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 02:30 AM Flag
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We did this and found the perfect home for us in Westport. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 02:32 AM Flag
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Op: what is the negative for this if you are not represented? Assuming an RE would be able to negotiate the most competitive price and show you ALL listings? What does the selling agent make? and how does this affect the buyer? Apologies for the newbie questions. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 02:50 AM Flag
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It's really not the kind of a negotiation. It's not a merger or a divorce where there are two parties who have already decided they need to do a transaction and now you're negotiating the terms. You're only negotiating against other potential buyers and the seller will take the best offer they can get. You don't need an agent to tell you what you can offer. That is based on how much money you have and how much you think the house is worth after doing your own research. You're likely to get a better deal without an agent because there's no extra fee. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 03:20 AM Flag
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np -- I did it on my own and was fine but of course the seller's agent is going to have their best interests at heart and I was on my own. that's the only thing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 03:41 AM Flag
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This comment is clearly from the agent who doesn’t want to have to split the fee with a buyer’s agent, so always posts this suggestion here when anyone raises the question. Having an agent as a buyer is the usual choice, as she represents your interests, not those of the seller. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 02:54 AM Flag
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That's ironic. I'm pretty sure it's the other way around and you're the RE agent trying to justify your job. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 03:21 AM Flag
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Does the buyer's agent get a financial benefit from showing only their realty listings? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 03:44 AM Flag
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This is false. The agent is being paid by the seller, therefore, always has the interests of the seller in their minds. That's how they get paid. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 11:47 AM Flag
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This! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 03:04 PM Flag
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I doubt that. Having bought and sold a few times, I 100% agree with this advice. Your offer is much more likely to get accepted if you are coming in without a buyer's agent because the sellers agent doesn't have to share the commission and will do what it takes to make your offer the winning bid. It is unethical, but true and I don't think any agent would confess to the practice. In a competitive market, it makes sense to go in without someone representing you. Most of what they have access to is now available to the general public online. You need to be savvy and careful, but you are in a better position without a broker working for you. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 01:42 PM Flag
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100% agree and BTDT. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 04:45 PM Flag
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I found having a buyer's agent very helpful. We were moving from out of state, and this person knew the market and helped us find the right streets for what we wanted, knew tradespeople to contact during and after. And he was paid by the seller, not us! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 04:17 AM Flag
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ITA. In fact, seller's agents will bend over backward to advocate for you when you work without a buyer's agent because it means they do not have to split their fee. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 10:47 AM Flag
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This is bad advice. The seller pays the agents commission. If you don’t use an agent you are not saving money—the buyers agent simply gets the full 6 percent. The buyers agent is working for the buyer—not you—and will be biased. Your agent should work for you to get you the best price and alert you of any potential cautions. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 12:28 PM Flag
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IME people who work in real estate, e.g. brokers, contractors, interior designers are largely untrustworthy, and I am being kind and sensitive with my word choice here. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 03:12 AM Flag
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np -- agree [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 03:42 AM Flag
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+2 Don't work with a buyer's agent. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.12.20, 10:48 AM Flag
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