dishwashing

I was having a debate with my OH on this - so wanted to get some more ideas. What does one expect/can achieve from a good RE agent?

For eg. is a slope hazard something they should mention, or do they just expect buyers to know? Would they tell you if the property has been sold twice in the last 2 years etc? If an agent doesn't tell you anything except 'this one might be good' - what value is there in that?

Thoughts?

magnumpi

The guy we used found our house before it was even put on the market, he got a heads up prior knew we were looking for Ajax near the lake and we got in quick. He says a lot of the houses on the MLS web page as it was called back then, are already sold.

ExKiwilass

ours was worth it. he steered us away from buildings he knew had problems with leaking etc.

dishwashing

Do you think they need to be area experts?

JonboyE

Yes. One of the main advantages of using an agent to help you buy is that they know the area intimately.

neilcumming

I used comfree.com to sell my house I saved $1000s in not using a realtor and the buyer saves money too.You have to show your house yourself but thats easy and the buyer can hire someone to check over the house for structure damage etc.doesnt cost alot.For location you can research that yourself.

Aviator

Free transport - They often drive you around to the properties.

When you make an offer they do the paperwork and present the offer.

They will often get a heads up on competition for property.

Give you an idea if the price you have in mind is reasonable and help you negotiate.

Hear about properties that are coming on the market, or just went off and may still be for sale.

A separation between the buyer and the sellers agent (conflict of interest issue).

You don't have to pay for them, the seller does.

dishwashing

Thanks - we are dealing with an agent here in BC. She never drives us anywhere, makes us follow from house to house. Times are based on her availability, and preference not ours. one time we said we don't want a noisy place, "are you sure this house is not" - she said, no - we drove all the way there and we could hear noise from the front door.

We get some "value" in that she tells us if a house can be suited or not and can find things like the electrical panel etc and tell us how old the roof is - but I am struggling with "Is this all BC Agents do. If so, why do I need this one"

vanity

Honesty is always nice

Aviator

Maybe look for another one? We ditched one on our last property, he said he was learning lots from us! Not quite what we were looking for, so we found another agent that knew more than us. Just be sure you are not contractually tied (have you signed anything?).

not2old

I view RE agents just like any other salesperson, RE agents come close to a used car salesperson 'the whats in it for me paycheque'. On the back end, wait till you have a property to sell, the selling agents are worse

IMO, one needs to do most of the work yourself, get knowledgeable, forums & google is your friend (not the RE agent) look at the reviews of the agent you are hiring & ignore their smile & BS

Hemi Dave

We also used an agent, and her service was invaluable. She found us exactly what we were looking for, in the right area and the right price. Must have shown us about 30 houses and never complained once, well, not to our faces at least lol.

You need to find someone who acts like a friend, and isn't afraid to tell you the truth about properties, even if it means they lose a big commision if you don't buy it.

Our agent also knew some great home inspectors. The one we used pointed some things out to us, which of course I ignored, and now I have to fix some stuff, lol.

There's plenty out there, don't be afraid to shop about till you get that perfect one. A bit like cars really, don't just get one in a nice colour ;-)

bats

We have used two. The first was terribe. Didn't know the area, couldn't negotiate, didn't know the market. The second knew all the above and then some. We expended up with a house that's ideal but we thought we couldn't afford it, she got the price down. She said that if you sign with for a buying agent then there are things that they are obliged to tell you about the house etc, but if not signed then only if you ask.

HGerchicov will be able to be more accurate on this point.

HGerchikov

What you are talking about is agency relationship with fiduciary duties. Ie the agent must act in the best interests of the client. There is such a thing as implied agency, which does not require you to sign anything. If you believe, based on someone's actions, that that person is representing you then you have an agency relationship and they should be bound by the same rules as if you signed something. As with all professions, there are great real estate people and some terrible ones. If you aren't happy with the one you have, tell them why you are not happy, give them a chance to put it right and if they don't get someone new.

JonboyE

Agreed. I maybe have been lucky but I have worked with some very good buyer's realtors over the years. Well worth what the seller was paying them.