Etiquette for Working with a Realtor

Hi there-

We too are looking to buy a house and have been working with a Realtor since December. Shortly after working with him, we signed a contract with him because he was genuinely a nice guy. However, we are SO glad that we only signed a 90-day contract with him. I can't tell you the heartache that we have faced with this guy.

Fortunately for you, you don't have to deal with contracts...at least those that obligate you to work with a specific agent. That being said, it is always best to find someone that you like and stick with them. As another poster said, they don't make a salary and so rewarding their time and effort is good karma, if nothing else.

As for the situation that you encountered. You might ask what happened to the first guy that took you out. They might work together (and share the commission) or he might have left the industry. Either way, you might feel better if you asked. It does seem kind of funny.

Also, I don't know what your budget is and/or where you are looking but our house is for sale in North Hoffman Estates. We are in one of the top 10 school districts in IL and are nationally ranked. It is Barrington School District and we have a HUGE yard (1/3 of acre). If you are interested in hearing more about our house- feel free to e-mail me. We are considering all reasonable offers.

Good luck.
N.

As a former Realtor, May I suggest as Tracy pointed out to stay with one Realtor and forge a good relationship with them. I never made a salary and it was very hearbreaking to work so hard with a client for weeks and sometimes months and they end up buying with someone else.

Having spent all that time and to not get paid. I can only speak for myself, but there is alot of behind-the-scenes work that gets done before the Realtor gets out to show you homes.

The internet in the past ten years has made it easy for buyers and sellers to search and find their own homes, and it makes it more difficult for the Realtors to hold on to the clients and their needs.

Sure, there are Realtors that are in it just for the easy fast buck. It's not the case for most ans especially these das with the current market. I worked very hard alot of the times for free. But I made sure that my clients got the best service possible.

Please try to only work with one Realtor and let the first person know that you will be working with someone else. Honesty is best.

Good luck to you.

Hi T.,
Congrats on looking for your first home! My husband is a successful realtor so I can give you a few bits of info.

It really is best to stick with one person. Find someone you like and trust and then do not bounce around from agent to agent. Realtors do not get paid a salary and when they spend the time taking you out on showings, it is in the hopes that you will eventually buy something with them so they can make their commission. I can tell you from first hand experience that when my husband has been working with a client for a while and then they turn around and buy something with another agent, it is very frustrating for us because he has spent so much time with them for absolutely nothing. That is time he could have spent with another client - or, more importantly - at home with his family (family time is rare - as you probably know realtors have to be available all day, 7 days a week).

It sounds like that the second realtor you went out with is someone you like and have formed a relationship with - if that is the case I would suggest you stick with her and if you don't, have the courtesy to let her know why.

Any good realtor will not try to "sell" you a property. I can honestly say that my husband ALWAYS has the best interests of his clients first. He really does his best to find out his clients needs, wants, and realistic expectations and never tries to just make a quick sale (which is why his services gets taken advantage of sometimes). Always look for a realtor that you feel comfortable doing business with and who you feel will always be honest and upfront with you.

Best of luck! What an exciting time!! Let me know if you have any questions. Take care...
T.

No, it's not wrong. As long as you are upfront and don't misrepresent yourself, I think it's understood that sometimes you will spend a little time with someone and it doesn't work out, or you don't end up buying, or whatever. It's a relationship business, and you may end up referring business to that person later. As long as you aren't abusing their time, I think it's OK to change your mind about who you want to work with. Not to make a habit of it, though! It's best if you take the time to get to know the agent first so that you know they are the best person to work with for you.