klarek the realist's Q&A

Linda, why on Earth should we be thankful of this???!!!  That's the stupidest thing I've heard in ages.

If the seller pays the commission, what's to say the agent is looking out for your best interests?  I'm really sick of this line being thrown out there like it's a good thing for buyers.

Linda, that's just pathetic.

Walty, what do you mean normal?  Prices in my area are vastly overinflated still.  Need to fall a lot more...

"However, it shouldn't be necessary to pay the extra cost of hiring a lawyer if you have a great Realtor and escrow company working with you throughout the process."Rebecca, a RE attorney would cost just a few hundred dollars.  Are you really trying to suggest that this should be avoided in lieu of a realtor that costs several thousand dollars?

"I wouldn't recommend it.  A REALTOR(R) is supposed to look out for your best interest.""The seller typically pays the commission so a there is no downside to using an agent as a buyer."So as a buyer, I'm not paying anybody, but somehow I'm supposed to believe they're looking out for my best interests?  You guys really think all buyers are retards, don't you?

Connie, I didn't go through YEARS of expensive dental school, so I'll gladly pay the $400 or whatever to get my teeth cleaned.  Nice comparison though to an agent that banks thousands and didn't need to go to school.

"kinda funny though that it was taken as such and that Mechanic and tailor were not mentioned in the responding comments"Because in those instances it isn't uncommon at all for people to perform maintenance on their cars or to mend their own clothing.  Doing such can save you tens of dollars from hiring a tailor and hundreds of dollars from hiring a mechanic.  Circumventing an RE agent could save you many thousands of dollars.  Hmmmmmmmmmmm.......

I love comparisons about being an agent to that of a doctor or lawyer.  I'm sure there are years of school, training, exams, and hundreds of thousands of $$$ in student loan fees to be an agent.  It takes as much training as being a lifeguard, but pays a hundred times more per hour.  Go figure.

Ah yes, the RE industry is thriving right now.  An assured carted and still ridiculous commissions on top of their lobbying effort through congress to spend billions of dollars to bribe people to get out there and buy!  It's a happy club.