Working with Real Estate Agents!
article by: https://www.thebalance.com/rules-for-working-with-agents-1798904
One of my buyers is a brilliant neurosurgeon, top of her class in med school, but she doesn't have a clue about etiquette rules with real estate agents. Nor does she understand why some listing agents have yelled at her when she calls them. In her mind, she hasn't done anything wrong. She is only trying to find out information about a house for sale.
Real estate agents love working with people, but there are always clients who may unintentionally cross the line. Here are a few simple protocols you can use while shopping for a home that will keep you out of hot water and on good terms with real estate agents.
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- Very few real estate agents work on salary.
- Most real estate agents are paid commission. If an agent does not close a transaction, she does not get paid.
- Agents are not public servants and do not work for free. Do not ask an agent to work for you if you intend to cut the agent out of your deal.
At the time of writing, Elizabeth Weintraub, CalBRE #00697006, is a Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, California.
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- Be respectful, use common courtesy and don't expect an agent to drop what she is doing to run out and show you a home. You are probably not that agent's only prospect or client. And if you are, lord help you.
- Do not make an appointment with an agent and then forget to show up.
- If you are running late, call and let your agent know when you expect to arrive.
At the time of writing, Elizabeth Weintraub, CalBRE #00697006, is a Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, California.
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- Decide whether you want to work without representation, dealing directly with listing agents, or if you want to hire your own agent.
- If you decide to hire your own agent, interview agents to find an agent with whom you are comfortable.
- If you are interviewing agents, let each agent know you are in the interview stage.
- Never, never, never interview two different agents from the same company. Trust me: Don't do it.
At the time of writing, Elizabeth Weintraub, CalBRE #00697006, is a Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, California.
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- Listing agents work for the seller, not the buyer. If you hire the listing agent to represent you, that agent will now be working under dual agency.
- If a listing agent shows you the property, the listing agent will expect to represent you.
- Listing agents do not want to do the buying agent's job. Let your buyer's agent do her job.
At the time of writing, Elizabeth Weintraub, CalBRE #00697006, is a Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, California.
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- Ask your agent if it's considered proper for you to attend open houses alone. In some areas, it's frowned upon to go to open houses unescorted.
- Hand your agent's business card to the agent hosting the open house. Sometimes this agent will be the listing agent, but often it is an agent also looking for unrepresented buyers. Announcing you are represented protects you.
- Do not ask the open house host questions about the seller or the seller's motivation. Let your agent ask those questions for you.
At the time of writing, Elizabeth Weintraub, CalBRE #00697006, is a Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, California.
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