2007-01-11 10:41:44 · 12 answers · asked by dina197520022000 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Yes, but depending upon the type of contract the owner has with the agent, the owner may still have to pay the agent's commission. If they signed an exclusive listing agreement, the sale is exclusive to the agent during the term of the agreement, no matter who finds the buyer.
2007-01-11 10:55:08 · answer #1 · answered by Smokin' Dragon 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First question, Why would you want to do this? Not only do you not want to do that, you also don't want to contact the sellers agent.
If the property is listed the seller and the agency (not the agent) have a contract where the seller can only receive offers threw their agent. A sellers agent is usually a friend or relative of the seller. Regardless if they were go accept an offer behind their agents back they would still pay a commission at the sale to the agent. A good agent instructs his sellers to never communicate with the purchaser to avoid complications of any verbal promises or implications not on the contract.
You do not want an agent representing the seller to represent you. If you were getting a divorce would you use the same attorney as your spouse? I don't think so.
A buyers agent is free to a buyer because they are paid by the seller also at the sale. What do you think would be the benefit of you not using an agent? Getting a better deal by trying to leave out the agents commission? That's not going to happen. How did you find out the house was for sale in the first place? Evidently the sellers agent did something for you to find this out. Even if it was just putting a sign in the yard.
There are many things that can go wrong in a real estate transaction. Hire a licensed Realtor to represent you.
In the future if you would like to save 1/2 the commission go to school and get a license and represent yourself. I have encouraged many of my investors to do the same. I am now their broker holding their license and many of them still come to me to represent them. If you don't know how to pick a good Realtor in your area to represent you feel free to contact me. I can get a very quantified Realtor to assist you in the purchase.
Good luck,
Michael Vogt
2007-01-11 19:20:28 · answer #2 · answered by Bestbank Real Estate 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can, if the home is For Sale By Owner (FSBO) and no if it's listed with a real estate firm. If you are interested in putting an offer to the FSBO make sure you know your states real estate laws. In Pennsylvania you MUST have a Seller's Disclosure and a HUD-1 at settlement. It might take a little longer to find a home, as there are numerous FSBO sites and as I found out many homes are no longer on the market or have listed with a real estate firm.
Hiring your own real estate agent is not a bad thing. If you don't like that agent you can fire them via a written notice. Also, they have access to the MLS which has numerous listing which will save you a lot of time.
Buyer agents won't cost you anything up front, the commission is paid by the seller. The only time it might cost you is if your agreement with the agent states they will receive no less than 3% and the home you're purchasing is 2.5%, then you might have to pay the difference of 0.5%. But most agents won't do that, you just have to make sure of that.
And one point of advice, DON'T ASSUME ANYTHING! It will bit you in the rear down the road.
2007-01-11 19:16:28 · answer #3 · answered by REALTOR Marc Pun 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I am understanding you correctly, You can make an offer only to the Sellers agent. Not the seller themselves. If the house is listed with a Realtor, that homeowner has a contract they are binded by and can get in very serious trouble for dealing with a prospective buyer, without their Realtor, if caught. It's illegal for the seller. Most of us Realtors have a clause in our contracts stating that a seller cannot go behind our backs and make a deal when under contract and "phase" us out and not pay commission.
2007-01-11 18:52:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming they have listed their home with an agent, NO. They have a contract that requires that agent get paid, and they can't sidewind you out of it. If they do have an agent and you don't, you could always ask that the selling agent's commission (2.5-3.15%) be either discounted from the sales price, or paid by the seller towards your closing costs.
If it's for sale by owner, sure.
2007-01-11 18:49:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the house is not listed, you can submit a letter of intent to the home owner. If the house is on the market, they have a standing contract, so even if the house sells without the agent doing anything, they will get a percentage.
2007-01-11 18:46:13 · answer #6 · answered by makawao_kane 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
2 ways -
reverse lookup from their address will yield you a phone number
go to the courthouse and do a search for title or deed
If they have house on the market with a realtor, they may have to give the agent a commission, depending on the contract. You may find out from the owners when the agent mandate ends.
2007-01-11 18:47:20 · answer #7 · answered by justbeingher 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can, but the homeowner may still need to pay an agents fee if they have a contract with an agent, even if the agent did not find the buyer.
2007-01-11 18:49:53 · answer #8 · answered by mischa 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
most sellers have a contract with their realtor to sell their property. If the property doesn't sell in the specified time frame then the contract can be cancelled and the sellers can sell on their own or sign another contract.
2007-01-11 18:47:00 · answer #9 · answered by QandA 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
only if the house is being sold by the homeowner without an agent.
2007-01-11 18:45:21 · answer #10 · answered by Odd Mike 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋