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Confused about finding a buyer's agent.

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EricaLH

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I'm looking to buy now (3 family - 11211/11222/11101/11106/11385). However, whenever I email/call a real estate agency I feel like they just check their inventory and that's the end of it. For instance, i contacted Prudential Elliman almost a month ago, speaking with the agent and emailing her all of my details and real estate needs. Haven't heard a peep from her since. I thought an agent would search listings, tell me about new hits, keep in touch with me, etc. What am I doing wrong? I'm finding more hits (even though they're not suitable) myself by searching online. I have no clue how to go through the buying process so how will I be able to do so without a buyer's agent? I'm also not going to find something and then bring it to an agent to represent me - not going to give them a commission for not having done anything. Any help would be appreciated!!! Thanks.
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August 23 - Williamsburg
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robert_9

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You may consider call couple of Real estate offices in the area. Ask for the manager and request that he/she puts you in touch with a top buyers agent in the office who does work on multi family homes. Good luck
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October 12
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Marlow Harris, "Marlow Harris"

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Hi Erica,

If I were looking for an agent, the first thing I would do is ask for recommendations from friends and colleagues who have recently bought or sold property in your area.  I would then call the up and arrange an interview in their office and explain to them you would like to meet because you want to hire an agent.  

If you don't have any friends who have bought or sold, go into some Sunday Open Houses's in the target area and chat with the agents face-to-face.  You can easily find a smart and hard-working agent that way too.

Irregardless of what some people on this forum think, I would suggest hiring a REALTOR, an agent who agrees to abide by the REALTOR code of ethics.  I do believe that most members take the Code of Ethics seriously.  

Good luck!

 
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October 11
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Schultz Christine, "christineschultz"

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I am sorry for your pain in finding someone to work with you. Don't give up.  I am speeking for many agents in our area, we have been putting many hours into buyers only to find out at the end of a transaction are unable to close. It is making some gun shy.  Look for an agent that has many years, 10+ years in the businesss, they have lived through years of hard work to get the job done. You may be calling on agents that are used to deals falling into their lap just for answering the phone once and have no clue on customer service.  If you are loyal to a good agent you will have someone that will work for you like no other, don't forget that is a two way street. Good luck future homeowner.
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October 10
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nealadler

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That's unfortunate.  If a motivated buyer called me I would get back with them right away, refer them to a lender, and sign them up on my web site to send email listing alerts, and get them in escrow.  Your best bet is to contact friends, relatives, co-workers, etc, and have them refer an agent they had a good experience with.
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October 09
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Wendy Bray, "deerwendy"

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This is a great discussion since I have encountered this from a couple people this week. Agents who have not responded to requests from buyers wanting to purchase homes have upset buyers in my area as well. My thought is why do these agents not respond to potential buyers? I am not sure. I have not been in real estate for several years and I do not have a ton of listings which is why I probably have a lot more time to spend with my buyers, that is the only reason I can come up with as to why some agents don't respond.

Maybe if you find a newer agent they will have much more time to spend with you and you will find the home you are looking for. Just because they are newer does not mean they know less. The agent could have just moved into the area and is getting established.

Good luck!
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September 07
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Deborah Hess, "deborahhess1"

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Hi Erica,  The view from the lens of a prospective homebuyer, can be a bit of a maze these days. A buyer's agent, should serve to focus your search, and that person should be responsible, for sending you the "hottest" new listings each and every day, once you've committed to working with them.  And when you ask "what am I doing wrong?", your lack of comittment to one agent, may be the issue.  You should try to speak with several agents about representing you, and when you find two or three who sound like they have the experience, determination, and where you can strike up a rapport, have a face to face meeting with them and decide on one to represent you.  Depending on your state's real estate laws, and practices, they may ask you to sign a buyer's agency agreement.  These normally have an "cancellation after remedy" clause, which just means if you're not satisfied, and after trying to communicate your concerns things don't improve you may cancel without penalty.  While the seller usually pays the buyer's agent, there may be a minimum above which you could be responsible for the difference in compensation.  I have a list of questons, I recommend that prospective buyers ask the competition when they're interviewing, and expectations that they communicate to the agent once selected.  Feel free to contact me, and I'll gladly send it you this information.  Our job as agents, when done properly, should not leave you wondering why the agent's getting a commission, but rather, asking yourself to whom can I recommend this person that's done such a great job for me!
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September 07
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Tiffany Bond, "TiffanyBond"

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JK: I haven't read all of the states ethical conduct standards, but from what I have read, it appears the difference is neglible (if any at all) between an agent's liability to the state versus what the NAR touts. I am forced to be a member of the NAR in one state (or I may pay a higher amount and fund more of their lobbying to be an active "non-member") and am not a member in another. Whether or not I cut a check has nothing to do with professionalism - it just means I'm in the club.
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August 25
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jkonstant

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Nice one Tiffany. I fully agree with your realtor/agent comment. Of course co-op/commission/MLS access are all part of the NAR Union scam.
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August 25
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Tiffany Bond, "TiffanyBond"

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If you opt out of using an agent, have a real estate lawyer review your contracts. It will be well worth a few hours paid if anything goes south.

Also, I have seen no meaningful difference between a "Realtor" and a plain old licensed real estate agent. There is nothing special about joining the NAR - you pay dues for an organization to lobby for you in ways you may or may not agree with and you get to use a non-word. Pick a licensed agent (realtor or no) that you trust and feel comfortable with if you decide to go that direction.
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August 25
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Ashley Lambert, "AshleyTheRealtor"

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@ All The Agents who replied:   Don't you just hate it when a few bad agents give us reputable agents, who take our jobs seriously a bad reputation!?  

@EricaLH: Even though you have obviously become a little disgruntled over this situation I would like for you to please keep in mind that having a Buyers representative makes the home buying process so much easier.  Look at the situations with the other agents as blessings: Its best to find out up front that they are slack and lazy than right in the middle of the home buying process and it costs you money.  Do you have any local friends or associates who have recently purchased a home and can refer you to someone?  Most of my business now is referrals from past clients and from friends.  Putting the word our in your sphere of influence  should produce a quality buyers representative to help you with your purchase.
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August 25
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jkonstant

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EricaLH: Are you looking for a three family home (triplex)? Are the 5 digit numbers you refer to Zip Codes (not Wiliamsburg VA)?
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August 25
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EricaLH

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Thanks for the advice/thoughts. I find it difficult to do any type of interviewing of an agent when so far the majority don't even respond. Those that do simply give the "we don't have any think like that in inventory but we'll call if we do" - they do not search outside of their own firm.

That being said, I do have a time element here so I don't have the time to continue to waste on trying to find an agent. My time is better spent just scouring the web myself for listings. However, if I were to find something, how would you suggest I proceed from thereon (from putting in an offer to closing)? Sunflower suggested just using the seller's agent which would be my only thought at that point. However, I'm uncomfortable with the one agent representing both sides of the transation (I am aware that there are standards that must be adhered to but I still don't like the idea of that).

Thanks again.
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August 25
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Filomena Gordon, "Filomena1"

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I recommend you go into a reputable Real Estate Agency and speak with a few different agents and see who is going to work the hardest for you.  When someone calls me, I call them right back, set them up with automatic updates of listings that match what they are looking for, take them out, get to know there likes and dislikes.  I also negotiate the best price for my buyer clients, any good agent will work for you, because referrals are huge resource of new business.  I also recommend you find an agent who is a REALTOR, we do follow a very strong code of ethics.  Best of luck.
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August 23
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Tiffany Bond, "TiffanyBond"

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Zillow can be a good place to start. Look in your area and check out the postings of agents. If one of them seems to give reasonable advice and seems like someone you would trust, send them an email.
Otherwise, call a few agents in your area and interview several of them. Go for one who tells you the truth and not what you want to hear, make sure they respect your boundaries.
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August 23
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Hi Erica,

I feel your pain.  I didn't see any sense in hiring a buyer's agent because it all comes down to the commission.  I feel that they would not really try to work the price in my favor because of greed.  I decided why should I pay someone who is supposed to be looking out for me, and then they don't.  But that was my choice.  I have decided when it comes to the agent, I would use whomever listed the house.  I searched for my own home, as I found that the agents I went to were showing me MLS homes, instead of what was in their inventory.  Probably because I was looking to stay under $400,000.  If you are lucky enough to have a honest buyer's agent in your corner then when it comes to the contract and closing, etc.  it is good to have someone who can help you out with questions, as I find it hard to make contact with my attorney and the mortgage representative.  The seller's agent has actually been more useful than those two.  But, then again, they are looking out for the interest of the seller.  Good luck. 
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August 23
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Susanna Kunkel, "SusannaKunkel"

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Aloha,
I certainly understand your frustration!  Most of the multiple listing services, allow for automatic email updates to be set up for you - so that you get an email alert from your agent the minute a "matched" property becomes available.  You've done all the right things.  A different agent may be a better fit. 

However, I would also add that it's not just finding the house where your buyers agent is of value.  Especially in a declining market, as a buyers agent, I do most of my work after we've found the house.  The investigation, market analysis, negotiations, working with the lender, and keeping the deal "alive" through escrow to a successful closing are where professional experience and service really help.

If you want any tips on how to interview a buyers agent, please feel free to contact me.

With warm aloha,
Susanna Kunkel, RA, CDPE
Hawaii Life Real Estate Services
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August 23
 

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