Should I work with the sellers Realtor?

Question

While buying house, I have selected some listed houses, which looking promising. I have a realtor, but she is not adding any value in helping me search the right house. My questions is : Should I work directly with the sellers Realtor, what are the advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 1

Maybe.

If you have a buyer's broker the agent legally works for you. Not everything you say to them about how high you will go, etc will be disclosed to the seller.

If the agent works for the seller then anything and everything you say needs to be disclosed to the seller.

The protection afforded the buyer is not available unless you have a signed buyer's broker agreement and they are not already the listing agent for the subject property. Even agents who drive you around to look at other agent's listings are working legally for the seller unless you have a signed agreement that they represent the buyer.

All of that said.

There is no real reason that you can not get a great deal dealing with the listing agent directly. Just remember that they do not work for you and watch what you disclose to them. They will want to collect both sides of the commission so they will be motivate to see the deal go through. That can be both good and bad depending on the details.

I am an investor. I use buyer's agents a lot. Some of the time I will deal direct with the seller's agent. It tends to come down to how competent the agent is. A really competent agent who is representing the seller can be a lot better for me as the buyer than an incompetent buyer's agent who is legally on my side. The lack of competence will cause a lot of problems.

Remember that buying is an emotional process and you will clearly start to indicate how bad you want a deal. The listing agent is going to make sure the seller knows this. A buyer's agent who is really competent will know to not be so overt and to negotiate to get you a better deal when it is possible.

Some deals are pretty much take it or leave it so be prepared to walk or pay up. Try not to fall in love with a property until you know the deal is a good one for you and that you can really afford it. Your money works with any property. The seller has to sell their specific property so you can more easily walk compared to the seller.

Answer 2

It can become very time consuming to try to work with many different Realtors. However, if you are not getting the results you want from the Realtor you are with now, it is time to try at least a couple others until you find someone who will listen to you, work with you, and do research to find what you are looking to buy. If you haven't already done so, you should at least get pre-qualified for a mortgage. That will be a great guideline for you, and any Realtor. You do need a Realtor that will take your needs and match them to the right price point, right location, right schools, etc. If you have already chosen the approximate location/area work with someone who has an office in, or very near that area. Sometimes a Realtor will get a listing far from their normal area of expertise, and not really know much about the competition's listings, or benefits or disadvantages of that particular house. It is a buyer's market right now, so you should not have any problems finding someone eager to work to find the right house!

Answer 3

Find a new agent, but not necessarily the sellers Realtor. One of the disadvantages is that they might not be able to represent you equally. What if the sellers Realtor is the sellers parent or friend? The Realtor may be honest, but whose interests will they be looking out for? Call your current agent and tell them you will no longer require their services. Then call a couple of companies and speak to a few agents and find one you do like.

Answer 4

If your Realtor is not helping you I would suggest finding another Realtor to deal with. The seller's Realtor looks out for the sellers best interest and tries to get the highest selling price, you need your own Realtor to look out for your interests.

Answer 5

The sellers real estate agent (not necessarily a Realtor) owes full responsiblity to the best interest of the seller. They can help you but are not going to work to get you the best deal. Working with your own buyers agent will ensure that you have someone working in your interest. The commission will stay the same but the agents themselves will have to figure how to split it.

Answer 6

don't sense betrayed, this is usual working technique and any stable realtor might do it. additionally, are not getting overly linked to a minimum of one residing house, you could o.k. lose out to a various grant. she will stall as long as she needs and probable is hoping for a greater robust grant such as you think of. i might provide her a distinctive time that she desires to come back to you thru (say lifeless night day after today) and if she does not, cancel the settlement and pass on (whether the employer have been out of city they could try this by using way of digital mail/ fax). it relatively is obtainable the time decrease will bypass and then she'll call you and you will nevertheless re-evaluate in case you haven't any longer discovered something greater advantageous, yet while she misses the time decrease i might in basic terms pass on - there are a number of large properties accessible.

Answer 7

Get a new agent then, but do not have a buyer's agent and then go looking at houses with other agents (like what the first responder said).

You are creating a potentially ugly legal situation. You as the buyer have every right to expect loyalty from your agent, and in turn you should extend the same to them.

Answer 8

I would go look at the homes with whichever realtor will get you in and use my own realtor for negotiations.