Is switching realtors a bad idea for home buyers?
My husband and I have been looking for houses for a couple of weeks, and this one realtor has been trying to help us, but we feel that he's not doing a good job. He doesn't seem to know the area very well, can't answer most of our questions, and he keeps suggesting houses that are categorically wrong for us in ways that we were very clear about. We've both bought houses before and feel that this realtor is not nearly as helpful as others we've worked with in the past. We'd like to work with a different realtor, but I'm afraid that if we drop this guy after he's shown us around to a bunch of houses, other realtors will hear about it, and not be so keen to work hard at helping us find a house because they'll be afraid that we'll switch realtors again and they'll have wasted their time. It can't help that he works for the biggest realty company in town. Can anyone (particularly realtors) offer advice?
Before you choose a real estate company to help you buy a home, consider how much you can save buy hiring a company to be on your side, an Exclusive Buyer Agency. (An Exclusive Buyer Agency only works for buyers, they never list homes and they never have a seller as a client.)
Mail this post
8 Responses to 'Is switching realtors a bad idea for home buyers?'
Leave a Reply
- November 2011 (2)
- September 2009 (9)
- August 2009 (6)
Do not worry about bad referrals. Things like these happen all the time. Clients often get swapped; if they've been in the business long enough, they'll understand. With the next Realtor you work with, just be very clear–explain what you want and explain everything that the other Realtor did to you (or did not do for you).
Hope this helps, and good luck.
You can switch agents (which I would do) because if you find something you like you want to make sure your agent that is representing you knows how to put together a contract that is legal fro the start. You also want someone who is competent through the whole process because he can make or break the who deal if you allow him too.
I highly recommend that you take active interest in finding the house you want. You need to determine what you want. Let the realtor help but don't be totally reliant on them.
I would highly recommend that you secure yourself a "Buyer's Agent."
A buyer's agent works solely on behalf of the buyer and owes duties to the buyer which include the utmost good faith, loyalty and fidelity. The agent will negotiate on behalf of and act as an advocate for the buyer.
We have a Buyer's Agent and she is wonderful!
A good agent:
1) Friendly, Personable
2) Knowledgable
3) Uses Technology to his/her advantage
4) Available
5) Understands the needs of the buyer
6) Opinionated where it counts.
7) Flexible
National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents
http://www.naeba.org/
Now, I don't know the intent or quality of your agent, or what he is up against. I also don't know you, if you are fair minded or not, realistic or not about the market.
All that being said, what I have discovered over the years (I have a company that has represented buyers in 80 Connnecticut towns from 100K to 6M) is that it is very, very important that it be a good working team, and part of what this requires is that the buyer client be forthcoming with their complaints if they have them. Tell him your thoughts…have him explain his thinking (or lack of it).
I never do anything for the wrong reason…but it is easy for a misuderstanding to arise because, and if I don't know about it, and can't address it, and confusion can erupt.
This will allow you to determine if you are in a touch market and should change your target, or change your agent.
Pratical advise. Have the agent send you all homes in your price range and widest area, with only basic limitations. YOU decide which to see or not see. It is often a mistake to have him reject properties for you in many cases. If your price range is limited, he has to know that you are at least exposed to what is out there, rather than decide for you becuase you gave him guidelines.
The problem is, there could be an exception, outside your guidelines, that you fall in love with. There are a lot of exceptions like this, it happens very often.
On the other hand, if after you voice your concerns, you find that it really is him that is incapable, and not just the frustration of searching that make you feel that way, you will have no choice but to find another agent.
He has invested time, so talk to him, and determine the underlying truth of your situation, and then act accordingly. You don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater…so have the discussion, know both perspectives, and move forward fully informed. Sooner is better for both sides.
John at BuyCT.com
Sorry Joe if you had a rough go of it, but some of us do work hard to put our clients interests above our comission checks.
After all why screw someone for short term, when I could help them over and over and over again teaching them the ins and outs of real estate and mortgages helping them and myself make long term gains.
As for the question at hand…it is YOUR right to get good service…if you wanna switch make sure you aren't going to breach any buyers contracts you may have signed.
Try talking with the agent and/or the broker to see if the issue can be handles before it comes to that.
In the end you dont wanna pay for crummy service…a house is a huge investment you want someone who appreciates that.
Hope it all works out
Sincerely,
Chuck Arias