John Wortz

An attorney is not knowledgeable about the real estate market statistics. If he knew the real estate market well, I would suspect he was a weak attorney without many law clients. An attorney’s role is the legal review of contracts. An agent’s role is real estate data and advice.

You can research the market yourself by pretending to be a potential revenue source for a commissioned agent, then dump them. If you do that, you are dishonest. If you want a rebate, accept the limitations of the data provided by the rebater. The idea of waiting for a listing to expire to avoid payment of fees smells of questionable character. I am currently seeking a buyer agent to work with me on a FSBO purchase and will pay them by the hour, and then I will have my attorney handle the contract. I am seeking a listing agent to work for a consultancy fee while I sell my house FSBO. If my house does not sell FSBO within 60 days, I will list my house for a commission with an offset of any fees already paid. - Mon Jun 9 2008, 08:54

JR, What you are doing as an industry allows the buyers and sellers to use you. I am not the perpetrator, only the reporter. You have a contributor who just told a buyer to go around the agents, contact the seller and ask when the listing expires. Shoot him, not me, the messenger. It’s your industry, and it is up to you to design systems that prohibit dishonest chaps from using you. If you billed $150 per hour x 15 billable hours per week at 50 weeks a year, it is in excess of $100,000. If you worked 40 hours a week, you would need 15 billable hours and have 25 hours for research and administrative tasks. If you were very good and could command $250 per hour x 20 hours week at 50 weeks per year, you would be earn a very nice living. You might work an average of 55 hours a week, doing research and other work which is not billable to a client. I am suggesting you consider alternatives to a system that is no longer serving you or the public. Open your eyes to business methods which allow you to earn a living and be respected for what you know. For that suggestion, you wish to condemn me? - Mon Jun 9 2008, 08:36

Sharon, Because agents have typically only worked on commission does that mean that is the only way that agents can work. The agent must be aligned with a broker who will bill for the consultancy, accept payment from the customer and pay the agent. Because you broker does not offer this option does not mean that it is not viable. Your conditioning to think of how it has been done, is the only way it can be done, is a problem.

John, You would rather sellers request free CMAs and pick your brain over a paying customer? You would rather drag buyers along in your car for weeks so that can get a handle on the market, only to buy a FSBO? You would rather answer questions for free on this forum for anonymous buyers and sellers? Your conditioning to think of how it has been done, is the only way it can be done, is a problem. It does not enter the minds of any of you that what you know has value, and it is not just a matter of whether or not you close the deal? You question my motives? Might I suggest that your problem is the seller who had 5 agents give them free CMAs with the intent to sell FSBO all along? Might I suggest that the problem is the buyer who you carted around town and bought a FSBO later without you? I, who wish to pay you, am not the problem. - Mon Jun 9 2008, 06:54

A buyer has an obligation to visually inspect the obvious. Unless you are 21 and this is your first home, you have no excuse. It was up to you to look at the hot water heater, furnace, air conditioning, refrigerator, stove, and discuss the age and general condition as part of your purchase negotiations. Sounds like you are looking for someone to make up for your lack of due diligence. Problems beyond the visual observation of a buyer are fair game for renegotiation after a professional inspection. You come back to me and tell me that my hot water heater is old, and I will rip up your contract. You come back to me after an inspection and tell me something that you could not have known, or I do not know, I will sit down at the table and figure out a solution. Grow up and take some responsibility for your oversights. - Wed Jun 4 2008, 16:32

Since Myke cannot spell his name, we should not hold it against him that he cannot spell offense.
Claire, you really are going to judge all of Weichert because one agent wrote something that you dislike? It sounds like a scenario of throwing out the baby with the bath water. If you want to get anywhere with your claim, hire someone to represent you. You are too emotional about this and are your own worst enemy. - Wed Jun 4 2008, 15:47

I live in Long Branch. Some areas are safer than others. There are a few rough areas. Check with the neighbors of any home that you consider. Long Branch can change a lot from one neighborhood to another. It is a good investment if you buy in a desirable area. - Wed Jun 4 2008, 15:07