Originally Posted by Souvenir (Post 4547442)

I do appreciate what you're saying. If you have the time, patience, knowledge and street-smarts to do it yourself, then do so. If you're an average Joe with other stuff to think about.......

I'm fully aware of the fact that most realtors are sharks. That's OK if they are working in your favour. The one who sold my rather ugly and generic townhouse in Oakville got a price that shocked the neighbours and has not, to my knowledge, been topped in the last three years.

Originally Posted by Hudman (Post 4547455)

The buyers agent is not charging and believe me with the market at moment they earn their money.

Originally Posted by iaink (Post 4547487)

You have to recognise that its not in the buyers agents interest to negotiate a lower price either as that reduces the commision they get...bizarrely, the better they do their job, the less they get paid. And should they put you off buying a place altogether, they get nothing...better to make that sale now, before you change your mind and decide to move to Halifax instead of Vancouver.

Originally Posted by MB-Realtor (Post 4548251)

I must live in a different world to some of you, off course it is in my interest and my duty, as a Realtor to negotiate the best deal possible for my client. When I do a great job, my clients tell others, who then come and use me, and so it goes. If I save my buyer $5,000 that costs me say $125 in commision, the $125 is'nt as important to me (or most agents I know) as a happy client.

Originally Posted by iaink (Post 4547487)

Not charging the buyer...but they split the sellers commision. The buyers agent has no less interest in making a sale happen than the sellers one does...they all want to make the next payment on their Lexus you know.

If you are looking, commission is commission, how many people haggle with realtors cut?. So buyer can view 20 properties decide not to buy and cost is zilch,

So if you convince a dual agent to take 75% and give you 25%, then you are both further ahead than if the selling agent split the commision 50:50 with a buyers agent. Its just a question of can you really trust a dual agent to act with impartiality any more than you can trust a buyers agent to get you the best deal.

This is a very synical view of realtors, there a plenty of good ones out there, If people have not got the strenth of character to hire someone they trust, they'll get shoddy treatment, same as hiring a poor plumber.

You have to recognise that its not in the buyers agents interest to negotiate a lower price either as that reduces the commision they get...bizarrely, the better they do their job, the less they get paid. And should they put you off buying a place altogether, they get nothing...better to make that sale now, before you change your mind and decide to move to Halifax instead of Vancouver.

Originally Posted by Hudman (Post 4548769)

Originally Posted by iaink (Post 4548778)

Im coming from a conservative position that real estate professionals are inherently untrustworthy of course.

Why wouldnt you haggle over commision if hiring an agent up front? I would, but I am sure most don't, especially Brits Its like anything else, there are good ones and bad ones, they should be paid accordingly. When the F does this ever happen ( in the real world now) Good selling agents with a proven track record can get higher commisions as people expect either a faster sale or a better price. I dont think buyers are that calculating, just go fopr the agent who spiels the best Why should selling agents not work the same way? However, my "negotiaion" point was strictly with respect to motivation to go ahead with a "dual agent" type sale, otherwise I can se no possible motivation to want to do so.

Dont get me started on Home Inspectors though. There's a cowboy business that needs regulating in the worst way.

Originally Posted by MCrocker (Post 4548813)

[Dont get me started on Home Inspectors though. There's a cowboy business
that needs regulating in the worst way.]

Amen to that - ours wasn't worth the paper it was written on....:(

Originally Posted by Hudman (Post 4549501)

This is where the problem in the Industry lies with realtor having their "own" preferred Inspectors.

Originally Posted by MB-Realtor (Post 4550009)

A realtor is supposed to give you a choice of home inspectors, not just offer one. I would be suspicious if only one choice was offered for any service being recomended.

Wake up & smell the coffee, many buyers and especially new immigrants don't know the ethics of the Real Estate practice . The fact is that the Home Inspection Industries major source of work and marketing is direct to realtors.
Cosy relationships can ( and do) build up, I know for a fact that there are a few Home Inspectors in Vancouver that some Realtors avoid as they are seen as deal killers.

There is a difference between a REALTOR and a Real Estate Agent, a Realtor is held to a higher standard, both professionally, and by the Courts if they are negligent or criminal.

You can get a license in 6 weeks cant you? Its a pretty closed shop that tries to muscle out alternatives.
I believe Winnipeg does have fairly high standards, compared to other parts of Canada, for instance we can not be a "part-time" Realtor here, we have to be Full time, and not earn a wage from other sources. That could be the reason why the Realtors I deal with here in Winnipeg are Mostly very professional.

What is the differance part time / Full time only the top 10% need to be at it full time

All the Provinces are a bit different, so anything I write is specific to Winnipeg.