We have received several emails from agents and sellers that seem to be angry at the process in general and the respective roles they play. Some of our blog readers are saying that they dislike agents, should not have to be loyal to their real estate agent whether they are buying or selling, think agents expect too much from their clients, etc.
The agents are saying people don’t appreciate what they do, sellers think it’s ok to ask for a month to month contract, they are using more than one agent at a time, etc.
Lets talk about the loyalty issue. First of all it is common for most if not all agents to require that you sign a listing or buying agreement before they will work with you or maybe they expect you to sign one shortly after you meet. This is not asking too much and here’s why:
An agent puts in a lot of work (if they are a good agent) whether they are listing your home or helping you find the home of your dreams. If you expect someone to work very hard on your behalf why would you not think they should be reimbursed for their time? An agreement between you and your agent shows that you know how much they are doing, appreciate it, and are willing to commit to buying or selling a house with them. There are questions you can ask to see what they are doing or if your agent has listed your home then you have results that can be seen. Are they doing open houses? How many people are showing up? Is your home being viewed? Have you had any offers? All these things show that your agent is doing their job.
Before we continue with these topics I would like to first ask the blog reader’s a question.
14 responses so far ↓
Alex // June 18, 2009 at 1:44 pm |
I am parked! Waiting to see what people say on this subject. I think that is disgusting when people do that to an agent. And I’m not an agent and think most are slimeballs, but really. That is so low class. Here list my house so I can benefit from all your efforts and then I will pull it and sell it my house only because of all your hard work. Do these people not believe in Karma?
Roger // June 18, 2009 at 1:45 pm |
This is going to be an interesting series of posts isn’t it? I am parked.
Janice // June 18, 2009 at 2:01 pm |
I have never looked at it from the agents point of view. I do think a listing agent does more than a buyers agent and should expect some amount of loyalty from the seller. I agree with Alex and think that is sooo wrong. My neighbor did that last year with an agent and it took him forever to sell it and when he did he got screwed over. Everyone in the neighborhood pretty much thought he deserved what he got! If you want to sell it yourself then do it, but do it from the beginning and put all that effort and work in yourself. I wonder how much that happens. I can understand if you had a bad agent, but if you are getting views and offers like Pamela said then that is just gross behavior.
Susan // June 18, 2009 at 2:01 pm |
Parked.
Margaret // June 18, 2009 at 2:18 pm |
Normally I think that people can sell their home on their own. My husband and I have bought and sold 3 homes without an agent, but it is a huge headache and its easy to get scammed or screwed over as the other commenter noted. But in this market that is insanity! You have to have marketing ability and an internet presence to get homes sold right now. Putting it in the MLS is not enough for real estate companies and anyone who thinks that an agent is going to bring them a buyer when they have made it clear to all agents that they think it’s ok to screw agents over is crazy.
Margaret // June 18, 2009 at 2:19 pm |
Well unless that realtor is as slimy as those people.
pamelaw53 // June 18, 2009 at 2:26 pm |
I am watching the poll and reading what everyone is saying. I will address some of the statements and questions later. Right now this post is yours.
Kate // June 18, 2009 at 2:28 pm |
Pamela turned the post over to us? *devilish grin*
Kate // June 18, 2009 at 2:30 pm |
I’m sure some people think they are being clever by “pitting agents against one another”, but its actually a stupid thing to do. Did you know in Amsterdam that if you work with more than one agent at a time and the agents find out you are pretty much “blacklisted” and its then almost impossible for you to buy a house. Food for thought.
Mary // June 18, 2009 at 3:07 pm |
That you would even need to do a poll on this question shows just how crappy some people are. If an agent is working their butt off for you, if your salesperson is helping you and answering your 50 billion questions, if the guy you buy from a car from gives you great customer service, they DESERVE TO GET PAID. What is it about that people don’t get????
Jerry // June 18, 2009 at 3:11 pm |
Mary is right. I am sure if the situation affected them in a detrimental way they would “get it”.
Sean // June 18, 2009 at 3:52 pm |
Are we also going to talk about the agents who screw over their clients by pushing a deal through so they can get paid? Even if it’s not in the best interest of their client? It’s not ok for agents or their clients to do shady stuff, but both parties are frequently guilty of it.
Liz // June 18, 2009 at 4:19 pm |
As an agent another topic I am eager to see discussed among consumers is the percentage on the agent commission. I recently had a seller demand that we offer 2% on the buyers agent side. I made sure they understood that 3% is the “norm” and they could in fact slow down the sale of their home by offering less than the standard. Now whether the like it or not this happens! And if agents are not having their buyer make up that 1% I can assure you that agents will encourage there client to make an offer on the home that has a higher percentage being paid to the buyers agent. I’d like to see a discussion and a poll on that Pamela. Thanks.
Flash // July 5, 2009 at 12:12 am |
Cool!