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Answers (12)
Best Answer
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5659
There is nothing unethical or wrong about using two different agents for two separate areas. Aside from a general knowledge of the processes and paperwork involved in buying/selling a house, the agent's knowledge of the local area is one of the more valuable assets they will add to your house hunting.
Just make sure that you haven't signed an "exclusive buyer's agent" contract with anyone, as this could cause issues. That's one of the reasons I won't sign one of those, the only person it benefits is the agent.
Just make sure that you haven't signed an "exclusive buyer's agent" contract with anyone, as this could cause issues. That's one of the reasons I won't sign one of those, the only person it benefits is the agent.
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:7283
She may not want to show you a short sale home due to the work involved and/or the better than average chance that after the buyer waits for months on end the bank either rejects their offer or decides to allow it to go through foreclosure.
HUD homes ARE more difficult to show as they require a special set of keys which not all real estate offices carry. And the procedures for writing up a HUD home can be complex too.
Personally, I try to show problematic properties if the buyer requests it, but I try to educate a buyer about the pitfalls of negotiating on short sales and some foreclosures. Sometimes it's not worth the headache and heartache.
If you're contacting the listing agent for showings, tell them up front if you're working with an agent. And you're largely only bound to working with an agent if you sign a representation contract.
HUD homes ARE more difficult to show as they require a special set of keys which not all real estate offices carry. And the procedures for writing up a HUD home can be complex too.
Personally, I try to show problematic properties if the buyer requests it, but I try to educate a buyer about the pitfalls of negotiating on short sales and some foreclosures. Sometimes it's not worth the headache and heartache.
If you're contacting the listing agent for showings, tell them up front if you're working with an agent. And you're largely only bound to working with an agent if you sign a representation contract.
- user6151108
- Contributions:1
I have a very nice agent who was recommended by a friend. But for some reason she seems unable to secure appointments to see the properties I'm interested in. She has taken me to a number of homes that were not anything like what I want and I've told her so, but she says the other homes are 'hard to see'.
So I contacted the agents representing the homes on my own. I feel guilty but I really would like to see these houses. Now I don't know if I should feel badly or not. Or if I should even tell her I did this.
I'd love to know what the correct procedure is. The homes are short sales and one is an HUD home, so perhaps those properties ARE 'hard to see' unless one contacts the bank personally?
So I contacted the agents representing the homes on my own. I feel guilty but I really would like to see these houses. Now I don't know if I should feel badly or not. Or if I should even tell her I did this.
I'd love to know what the correct procedure is. The homes are short sales and one is an HUD home, so perhaps those properties ARE 'hard to see' unless one contacts the bank personally?
- John Brassner, "HouseOfVegas"
- Contributions:145
I just wanted to thank mistermoose for even asking the question. This shows a sensitivity and understanding about the professional nature of real estate that the public often misses.
So, thank you.
So, thank you.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25120
I would say that it isn't unethical unless you have signed a buyers agreement with your agent or if you fail to tell the involved agents about the other agent. I think that you should talk to your current agent. Ask them if they can handle showing you both areas and if they know the communities that you are considering. It is not unusual for agents to work many different communities within an area outside of the home base. Most agents that I know limit their service areas to a max of about 45 minutes to 1 hour out to make sure that they can handle showings in the area efficiently. This is especially common in less urban areas. Talk to your agent, express your concerns and give them a chance to see if they can help you find a house in your target areas.
- Dianne Tumlin, "diannetumlin"
- Contributions:4
It seems everything has been covered about working with two agents and the only thing I would add is that as you work with one agent you begin to build a professional relationship. I have repeat customers that I have shown property within a 2 hour drive. They countinue to want to work with me; however if I feel that I am in an area that I cannot deliver the best service for them, I will refer them to someone I know. It is all about servicing the client and meeting their needs.
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5659
"Its really best to find one agent who you feel is servicing you the best, and stick with him or her via Buyers agency agreement."
Why? What does the Buyers agency agreement get me that wasn't provided before?
Assuming that I am looking in one local area, I'll agree that using one agent is likely the best way to go...just without the Buyers agency agreement. If the areas I want to look in are separated by "some distance", I have no problems finding an agents in each area that I can work with. Of course, the agent wants to help me in both areas, but my experience is that they are not as well informed as they are about their farm, and there can be some advantage in using a "local" agent if negotiations need to be made to close the deal.
Why? What does the Buyers agency agreement get me that wasn't provided before?
Assuming that I am looking in one local area, I'll agree that using one agent is likely the best way to go...just without the Buyers agency agreement. If the areas I want to look in are separated by "some distance", I have no problems finding an agents in each area that I can work with. Of course, the agent wants to help me in both areas, but my experience is that they are not as well informed as they are about their farm, and there can be some advantage in using a "local" agent if negotiations need to be made to close the deal.
- Rosemary Rieke Male, "KS and MO Realtor"
- Contributions:7
Its really best to find one agent who you feel is servicing you the best, and stick with him or her via Buyers agency agreement. I have been in real estate for over 18 years, and have shown the same buyer properties almost an hour apart until they narrow down the area they feel is right for them. Make sure both agents have access to both areas with their multiple list information.
Its really part of servicing buyers, with their needs, to find that special property. Have fun.
- Heather Peck, "lvexpert"
- Contributions:148
The other agents covered it well when it comes to buyer's broker's agreements however, I would ask you this?
Did you ask the either agent whether they had any objection to showing properties on 2 sides of town? Does one agent seem to listen to you better than another one? When I work with a client, its not uncommon for me to cover the entire Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Clark County areas. If a client wanted to look outside of Clark County, I would refer them elsewhere. Las Vegas is not that big of an area that most agents don't end up all over town.
I don't like to work with clients who are already working with another agent. Someone is putting in a lot of work to find the right properties for you, taking time to follow up on them, and then show them to you. If you're not having any luck with your agent, or they don't seem to show you properties that work for you, then that's one thing. But to just run two agents around because they're on 2 different sides of town isn't fair without asking them if they have any objections to that.
Did you ask the either agent whether they had any objection to showing properties on 2 sides of town? Does one agent seem to listen to you better than another one? When I work with a client, its not uncommon for me to cover the entire Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Clark County areas. If a client wanted to look outside of Clark County, I would refer them elsewhere. Las Vegas is not that big of an area that most agents don't end up all over town.
I don't like to work with clients who are already working with another agent. Someone is putting in a lot of work to find the right properties for you, taking time to follow up on them, and then show them to you. If you're not having any luck with your agent, or they don't seem to show you properties that work for you, then that's one thing. But to just run two agents around because they're on 2 different sides of town isn't fair without asking them if they have any objections to that.
- Joanna Piette, "Piette Team"
- Contributions:1189
Good morning,
I can see the other answers pertain to a buyer's brokerage agreement, and yes, I agree that you should review any/all paperwork you've signed with either agent. But I might ask why you feel either agent would be upset over showing property in different areas of town? Some agents might prefer to stay in a very tight area, but for most, a 20-mile spread is absolutely acceptable! Usually, when I'm showing property, I stay in one area today and another tomorrow. If either agent feels they aren't familiar enough with the area(s) in which you're searching, let them find you a co-agent who is. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work for your agent that goes into researching and planning - - more than just getting in the car and driving around. I think you'll be much happier, developing a good relationship with one agent to whom you can express your desires and wants and dislikes .... and allow them to earn their living, doing what they do best: Selling homes!
Good luck,
Joanna Piette
Broker / Realtor
New Home Resource, LLC
I can see the other answers pertain to a buyer's brokerage agreement, and yes, I agree that you should review any/all paperwork you've signed with either agent. But I might ask why you feel either agent would be upset over showing property in different areas of town? Some agents might prefer to stay in a very tight area, but for most, a 20-mile spread is absolutely acceptable! Usually, when I'm showing property, I stay in one area today and another tomorrow. If either agent feels they aren't familiar enough with the area(s) in which you're searching, let them find you a co-agent who is. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work for your agent that goes into researching and planning - - more than just getting in the car and driving around. I think you'll be much happier, developing a good relationship with one agent to whom you can express your desires and wants and dislikes .... and allow them to earn their living, doing what they do best: Selling homes!
Good luck,
Joanna Piette
Broker / Realtor
New Home Resource, LLC
- Louis Peress, "Be Informed"
- Contributions:20
There is nothing wrong with having two agents showing you different properties. The problem begins when you have 2 agents showing you or suggesting the same properties. As stated in the previous post, if you have an exclusive buyer's agreement with one or both agents, this can cause you a problem in that you are bound to only buy property from the agent that you entered into the contract with. This contract should only be for a specified period of time. If you are using 2 agents be sure that you do not enter into an exclusive agreement with either and avoid looking at properties that the other took you to.
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- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:7283
Well, if you sign an exclusive buyers agreement with both agents and you buy a home with one agent you might well be liable to pay the commission on the sale to the second agent. Read your paperwork.
Is it Ethical to have 2 Real Estate Agents
My wife and I are looking at two areas in the Las Vegas area. They are about 20 miles apart, so we are thinking we should have an agent for each area. Is this wrong? The reasoning is that we will want to see several houses from both areas and figure an agent will get a little upset if we ask to see houses so far apart.
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