In another post it was mentioned that people worked with a 'buyers agent.' For any of you who are working with a buyers agent, did you have to sign a contract to work with them? The buyers agents we went to wanted us to sign a 6 month contract that stated that we could work with them and only them. FH and I decided against this bc we didn't want to be locked into one person, did we make the right decision??? Can anyone explain the benefits/ downfalls of either a buyers or sellers agent to me?? You can either post or FM, thanks!!!!
jgl
Posted:
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Re: Spinoff to house hunting...
sorry cant help you but we are using our RA as a sellers agent we can work with whoever we want
why were you going the buyers agent route?
Mici n KC
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Re: Spinoff to house hunting...
You definitely did the right thing! They do that because if you find a house they want the commission. You can very easily find a house on your own without the help of an agent. We used an agent to help us find a house. We didn't sign anything.
babieblueeyez96
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Re: Spinoff to house hunting...
It just happened to be that the real estate agent we walked into was a buyers agent and he was selling the whole 'As a buyers agent I work for you, and this is the biggest investment of your life, so you want an agent who is going to be on YOUR side, not the SELLERS side.' I mean what he said makes sense I guess, but is it really true?? Thats what I wasn't sure of. I feel so uneducated throughout this whole process!!!!
babieblueeyez96
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Re: Spinoff to house hunting...
Posted by Mici n KC
You definitely did the right thing! They do that because if you find a house they want the commission. You can very easily find a house on your own without the help of an agent. We used an agent to help us find a house. We didn't sign anything.
Thats good to know, I'm glad we didnt sign anything!
siffleuse319
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Re: Spinoff to house hunting...
I have to disagree....I bought a house by myself 2 years ago and I wish so badly that I had retained a buyers agent. They work for you and only you. They want the commission, and so they will be sure to sell you a home at a price that you stick to. You can seriously low ball your buyers agent and he/she will find you quality homes in or around your price range. This person will also viciously go to bat for you when it's time to negotiate with the seller...whereas, a regular realtor is the seller's agent. Therefore, anytime you are using a realtor to see a home, that person works for the seller. They will try to squeeze every penny from your pocket, because the seller is their customer....not you. Buyers agents are greedy too....but if you tell him your maximum amount (make it lower than your allowable max..) then he/she will work hard to find it. It's the only other person in the whole transaction, besides your attorney who is on your side. And...it gets a bit lonely on that side, so I recommend a buyers agent.
babieblueeyez96
Posted:
Member since
Re: Spinoff to house hunting...
Posted by siffleuse319
I have to disagree....I bought a house by myself 2 years ago and I wish so badly that I had retained a buyers agent. They work for you and only you. They want the commission, and so they will be sure to sell you a home at a price that you stick to. You can seriously low ball your buyers agent and he/she will find you quality homes in or around your price range. This person will also viciously go to bat for you when it's time to negotiate with the seller...whereas, a regular realtor is the seller's agent. Therefore, anytime you are using a realtor to see a home, that person works for the seller. They will try to squeeze every penny from your pocket, because the seller is their customer....not you. Buyers agents are greedy too....but if you tell him your maximum amount (make it lower than your allowable max..) then he/she will work hard to find it. It's the only other person in the whole transaction, besides your attorney who is on your side. And...it gets a bit lonely on that side, so I recommend a buyers agent.
Thank you for your advice...
I have another question too...what does everyone think about using a family member as a real estate agent??? Does that make things too sticky??? Or should I trust that they have the best in mind for us??? Thanks!!!
