My Q&A
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Kristina's Questions (1)
Kristina's Answers (3)
Kristina answered:
I did decide to delete the question on my original thread because I feel that while I did get a few geniune answers, the majority of the realtors that are posting on this board are just here to attack anyone who doesn't pay 6% or anyone that is successful with any other approach. This is the reason why you can see there are more people that are disagreeing with these realtors (noted by the helpful or not helpful) that aren't posting because it's like "why bother" if you are going to get slammed and not have anything considered with an open-minded point of view.
I would suggest (and I plan to email) that Trulia hires a few agents to answer the questions on this board who are open-minded and will answer with facts only and perhaps create a "non-realtor" and a "realtor" section to this site so people can feel free to ask questions without getting attacked. Otherwise, it's clear that this site will only be used by 99% realtors.
I would suggest (and I plan to email) that Trulia hires a few agents to answer the questions on this board who are open-minded and will answer with facts only and perhaps create a "non-realtor" and a "realtor" section to this site so people can feel free to ask questions without getting attacked. Otherwise, it's clear that this site will only be used by 99% realtors.
Options,
I agree about not spending any money during attorney review. In NJ, we don't do inspections until after attorney review. During attorney review, the buyer can obviously change their mind too and I think both parties know this can happen and don't "feel safe" with the transaction until the end of attorney review. I do think its reasonable for both parties to have 72 hours to change their minds with such a large purchase/sale and decision.
Thank you all. We did get another offer today which is a bit higher, but we have decided to show for "backup only" so the second buyers were told that their offer would only be considered if our first offer falls through.
I agree about not spending any money during attorney review. In NJ, we don't do inspections until after attorney review. During attorney review, the buyer can obviously change their mind too and I think both parties know this can happen and don't "feel safe" with the transaction until the end of attorney review. I do think its reasonable for both parties to have 72 hours to change their minds with such a large purchase/sale and decision.
Thank you all. We did get another offer today which is a bit higher, but we have decided to show for "backup only" so the second buyers were told that their offer would only be considered if our first offer falls through.
Ok, so no one can read my posts.
1. MY HOME IS SOLD
2. I am PAYING the BUYER'S AGENT a 3.0% COMMISSION. I OFFERED IT
AND IT WILL BE PAID AT CLOSING!
1. MY HOME IS SOLD
2. I am PAYING the BUYER'S AGENT a 3.0% COMMISSION. I OFFERED IT
AND IT WILL BE PAID AT CLOSING!
James, I don't think my listing was any different than a normal listing. None of the realtors had any idea that I was using a flat fee service - they were all confused when the listing agent said that the agents should call me directly for negotiations. I was told most sellers offered a buyer's agent 2.5% to 3.0%. I chose to offer 3.0% for a quicker sale. I did hear the buyer's agent say I'm glad you finally found one you liked - she said she had shown them 15 homes so I appreciate that she brought them to ours and they love it so much!
I don't know where anyone is getting the idea that I had a listing not offering a commission? The lowest commission rate that I could list for was 2.5%. I don't know why anyone would expect a realtor to show their home if they weren't offering a commission?
I don't know where anyone is getting the idea that I had a listing not offering a commission? The lowest commission rate that I could list for was 2.5%. I don't know why anyone would expect a realtor to show their home if they weren't offering a commission?
"Kudos to Chris and JR for finding all the holes in Kristinas story. I think that when Kristina and others openly admit on here they are trying to cut us out we should just give bad advice under pseudonyms and sit back and laugh when they get sued. Remember you never get something for nothing."
Once again, where exactly did I cut a realtor out? Was it when I INSISTED that the buyer present the offer through her agent? Or was it when I actually SOLD the home through another agent at a 3% buyer's agent commission?
Gosh, this has got to be the most ignorant oblivious group of realtor's in the country!
I'm still waiting for someone to tell me what I actually DID that was wrong - not what I asked (before making a potential mistake, which was the point of asking the question!).
1. I turned down an offer that was low but INSISTED that the agent present the offer even though the agent's client did not want to deal through them.
2. I ACCEPTED an offer from a different agent and am paying that buyer's agent a 3% commission.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ANY OF THE TWO ITEMS ABOVE WHICH ARE THE THINGS I ACTUALLY DID - NOT THE QUESTIONS I ASKED!
Seriously does this group expect that anyone who asks a question here once - hoping to gain honest, insigthful advice will ever come back after being attacked for asking a QUESTION! I did not DO ANYTHING wrong, I asked a QUESTION before DOING anything. I believe I DID the right thing in INSISTING that the transaction be HANDLED THROUGH THE AGENT.
I'm writing these responses and waiting for someone to come out and tell me I'm on candid camera or something - this is unbelievable!
Once again, where exactly did I cut a realtor out? Was it when I INSISTED that the buyer present the offer through her agent? Or was it when I actually SOLD the home through another agent at a 3% buyer's agent commission?
Gosh, this has got to be the most ignorant oblivious group of realtor's in the country!
I'm still waiting for someone to tell me what I actually DID that was wrong - not what I asked (before making a potential mistake, which was the point of asking the question!).
1. I turned down an offer that was low but INSISTED that the agent present the offer even though the agent's client did not want to deal through them.
2. I ACCEPTED an offer from a different agent and am paying that buyer's agent a 3% commission.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ANY OF THE TWO ITEMS ABOVE WHICH ARE THE THINGS I ACTUALLY DID - NOT THE QUESTIONS I ASKED!
Seriously does this group expect that anyone who asks a question here once - hoping to gain honest, insigthful advice will ever come back after being attacked for asking a QUESTION! I did not DO ANYTHING wrong, I asked a QUESTION before DOING anything. I believe I DID the right thing in INSISTING that the transaction be HANDLED THROUGH THE AGENT.
I'm writing these responses and waiting for someone to come out and tell me I'm on candid camera or something - this is unbelievable!
JR, I'm really glad you are not my agent and I hope lots and lots of your clients come here to read your posts so they can see how you treat others. I'm sure this will help your business.
From my initial post I went on to further clarify what happened - in that the buyer was upset that her realtor did not show her our property or see our open house and that her realtor followed her in.
SERIOUSLY THOUGH WHAT DID I HAVE TO GAIN BY DEALING WITH THIS BUYER WITHOUT HER AGENT? Hello! I didn't stand to make $1 more without her agent. the BUYER told me she did not want to deal with her agent, that she was mad that the agent didn't show her the property and this agent did not return my calls or emails to discuss. I asked here and my listing agent to find out if the buyer was asking something that was legal - and she was not so I IMMEDIATELY RESPONDED TO THE BUYER that she
HAD TO PRESENT THE CONTRACT WITH HER AGENT AND THAT
I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH HER DIRECTLY?
Yet, to all of you I was still unethical, terrible, and did all of the wrong things?
I DON'T GET IT! If I had said, I don't care what anyone said, I'm going through with this deal with the buyer, then I could understand everyone being upset and bashing me, but HELLO, I did NOT deal with this buyer.
I did NOT cut out the agent! I did NOTHING WRONG!
The buyer came back with the agent and reduced her price and I turned down the offer and accepted another offer from a different buyer
AND I AM PAYING A BUYER'S AGENT A 3% COMMISSION.
Please help me understand what I should have done differently? If I would not have asked this question, the process would have gone exaclty the same way. If I told the buyer from the beginning I would only deal with the agent (instead of after I got the responses from here and the listing agent), I still would have turned down the offer when the agent and the buyer came back trying to reduce the offer.
To end this whole dilemma, please someone tell me what I should have done differently.
I am a totally terrible person because I asked the wrong question here but I DID THE RIGHT THING - I did exactly what I was told I should do here!!!!!!
From my initial post I went on to further clarify what happened - in that the buyer was upset that her realtor did not show her our property or see our open house and that her realtor followed her in.
SERIOUSLY THOUGH WHAT DID I HAVE TO GAIN BY DEALING WITH THIS BUYER WITHOUT HER AGENT? Hello! I didn't stand to make $1 more without her agent. the BUYER told me she did not want to deal with her agent, that she was mad that the agent didn't show her the property and this agent did not return my calls or emails to discuss. I asked here and my listing agent to find out if the buyer was asking something that was legal - and she was not so I IMMEDIATELY RESPONDED TO THE BUYER that she
HAD TO PRESENT THE CONTRACT WITH HER AGENT AND THAT
I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH HER DIRECTLY?
Yet, to all of you I was still unethical, terrible, and did all of the wrong things?
I DON'T GET IT! If I had said, I don't care what anyone said, I'm going through with this deal with the buyer, then I could understand everyone being upset and bashing me, but HELLO, I did NOT deal with this buyer.
I did NOT cut out the agent! I did NOTHING WRONG!
The buyer came back with the agent and reduced her price and I turned down the offer and accepted another offer from a different buyer
AND I AM PAYING A BUYER'S AGENT A 3% COMMISSION.
Please help me understand what I should have done differently? If I would not have asked this question, the process would have gone exaclty the same way. If I told the buyer from the beginning I would only deal with the agent (instead of after I got the responses from here and the listing agent), I still would have turned down the offer when the agent and the buyer came back trying to reduce the offer.
To end this whole dilemma, please someone tell me what I should have done differently.
I am a totally terrible person because I asked the wrong question here but I DID THE RIGHT THING - I did exactly what I was told I should do here!!!!!!
Jim wrote:
"Now, despite your apparent ingratitude for our professional advice, I'd like to say that you are welcome on behalf of everyone who has made the effort to help you."
Jim, I guess you didn't see my post made before yours where I THANKED everyone who responded with useful information.
Kristina wrote:
"Thank you all who kindly responded with useful information."
"Now, despite your apparent ingratitude for our professional advice, I'd like to say that you are welcome on behalf of everyone who has made the effort to help you."
Jim, I guess you didn't see my post made before yours where I THANKED everyone who responded with useful information.
Kristina wrote:
"Thank you all who kindly responded with useful information."
Chris, that is unfortunate because I am not trying to be confrontational, I was hoping to help you understand my side in all of this - which is that I was not looking to cut out an agent at all! Previously I sold my home by owner (in a different market) and the entire process was very fast and problem free. This time I did not even consider it and listed on the MLS right away. I am very pleased with the people who are buying my home and their agent who is a pleasure to deal with. The flat fee listing agent in this transaction will have the benefit of being my buyer's agent - and I offered and signed a buyer's agent contract with her so she knows I am grateful for her help and committed to using her for my purchase. I've referred other people to her as well and someone that called her to show them my listing bought another property through her. Over all, I do believe everyone benefited here.
By the way, I did get the answers from the listing agent today. I faxed my lawyer the contract first thing yesterday morning so we are "in attorney review'" therefore any offers that may come in are backup only. Of course the funds are in escrow. Thank you all who kindly responded with useful information.
Well Chris, if realtors are opposed to sellers asking questions here than you shouldn't be responding or make this a private "realtor only" site to keep horrible people like myself out! My God, how could I possibly pay a realtor who sold my house 3%, how unethical! How could I ask my listing agent to find a house for us so she can earn a commission! What kind of a person could do these things? This is certainly not what realtors would want, I should be burned on the stake for this! Shame on me!
Chris, I am not and never did try to cut the agent out of the commission - the client did.
Why are you seeing only what you want to in this issue?
First, I was the one to INSIST that the agent, regardless of my feeling of her incompetence, would be the ONLY ONE I WOULD ACCEPT THE OFFER FROM. The client would have to pay her commission (based on the price I was willing to accept) regardless of how she felt since the client brought the agent to my open house. WHAT DID I DO WRONG THERE?
Second, the house to another client through a different AGENT who is receving a 3% commission on this sale. WHAT DID I DO WRONG THERE?
Third, the listing agent is going to be paid a commission the home I purchase. WHAT DID I DO WRONG THERE?
Finally, after I received the offer, I made a copy of the contract and sent one to the listing agent. I called my lawyer and sent a copy to the lawyer. I called the buyer's agent and asked for the buyer's mortgage preapproval letter. I also sent the buyer's agent the name address phone and fax number for my attorney. I ordered the home warranty today and scheduled a "fire inspection" with the township. I do not intend to cause the buyer's agent to do any of the work for me. She even commented how much easier this was. She brought her buyers back for a 2nd showing the same night. We were in the yard and she came to us to negotiate and then back in the house to talk to them. Had my listing agent been involved this process would have involved many phone calls and probably would not have been completed this night. However since we reached agreement, we were both able to sit down at my kitchen table and sign the contracts.
Why are you seeing only what you want to in this issue?
First, I was the one to INSIST that the agent, regardless of my feeling of her incompetence, would be the ONLY ONE I WOULD ACCEPT THE OFFER FROM. The client would have to pay her commission (based on the price I was willing to accept) regardless of how she felt since the client brought the agent to my open house. WHAT DID I DO WRONG THERE?
Second, the house to another client through a different AGENT who is receving a 3% commission on this sale. WHAT DID I DO WRONG THERE?
Third, the listing agent is going to be paid a commission the home I purchase. WHAT DID I DO WRONG THERE?
Finally, after I received the offer, I made a copy of the contract and sent one to the listing agent. I called my lawyer and sent a copy to the lawyer. I called the buyer's agent and asked for the buyer's mortgage preapproval letter. I also sent the buyer's agent the name address phone and fax number for my attorney. I ordered the home warranty today and scheduled a "fire inspection" with the township. I do not intend to cause the buyer's agent to do any of the work for me. She even commented how much easier this was. She brought her buyers back for a 2nd showing the same night. We were in the yard and she came to us to negotiate and then back in the house to talk to them. Had my listing agent been involved this process would have involved many phone calls and probably would not have been completed this night. However since we reached agreement, we were both able to sit down at my kitchen table and sign the contracts.
I called the 3 appointments I had hoping they would want to cancel because I'm tired of showings and all three still want to come even though I clearly stated that we are in attorney review and accepting backup offers only! Am I required to show it or can I say "no more showings" or is that not wise?
Chris, I was unaware that trulia was a "realtor's only" board where I was soliciting free help. If this is how you feel I do not suggest ANY one other than a realtor should ask questions here. I was not trying to cut the agent out the client was because she felt very strongly that her agent who had shown her 2 properties (first day of her search) did not show her my listing and she was very upset that she could have missed it as a result. The agent did not return my calls or emails and the buyer was emailing me questions. By the time the 2nd showing came FOR WHICH I FORCED HER TO BRING HER AGENT WITH HER her and I had already negotiated everything. during this showing her realtor did not SAY A WORD other than to agree with one negative comment her client made. In this instance, and only in this instance do I feel this agent would not be entitled to a commission. I do not see the part of the transacton that this agent did ANYTHING for? She didn't negotiate, didn't show, didn't respond to calls or emails, but apparently you believe that even the worst of agents who do absolutely nothing should be paid a commission. I disagree. My husband is in sales and if he doesn't do his job, he doesn't get a commission. He will lose the business. This particular client did email to let me know she bought another property with a different agent so that is the case here. I suppose it was highly unethical for this client to find another agent because the one she had was not working for her - I am sure you will be against her getting another agent, but that was none of my business since she did not buy my house.
I've never heard of a listing service that allows a 0% commission. I was told by the listing agent that the minimum I could offer was 2.5% and that 3.0% would likely bring more prospective buyers because it would attract more agents so I did 3.0%.
To try to clarify, I paid a broker $300 to list my home on the MLS. I have to handle all of the listing agents responsiblities - I made my own flyers, took my own photos, did my own website, handle the offers, negotiations, contract, listing on other websites, appointments, open houses, lock box, info. flyers, advertising expenses, signs, etc. When an agent brings a buyer (and 99% of the showings are with buyers that come with an agent), I pay them a 3% commission on the sale at closing. If someone comes directly (not with an agent), then I do not pay a buyer's agent commission. I can sell by owner, but again 99% of the showings have been with agents and so was the sale. I have simply taken over the responsibilities of the listing agent. My home did sell through an agent (at $12k under asking price after 63 days on the market and a total of 6 offers - all through agents) and I am very happy to pay this agent the 3% commission!
I understand you are all upset that I was successful in handling my own listing agent responsibilities, but this is ridiculous. The agent who listed the home is showing me several homes today. We have a August 10th closing date so we are very serious buyers and she will definitely be the one to find us a home and she will receive a buyer's agent commission for that. I would never have met this agent if she wasn't offering this program so in essence, she secured a sale she would not have had otherwise. What is wrong with that?
I understand you are all upset that I was successful in handling my own listing agent responsibilities, but this is ridiculous. The agent who listed the home is showing me several homes today. We have a August 10th closing date so we are very serious buyers and she will definitely be the one to find us a home and she will receive a buyer's agent commission for that. I would never have met this agent if she wasn't offering this program so in essence, she secured a sale she would not have had otherwise. What is wrong with that?
Chris, how the heck did I use anyone? In fact if anything this realtor would have attempted to USE me. If this deal went through, this agent would have received $15k for nothing - she didn't show the house, she didn't talk to me once, she didn't answer my calls or emails she did NOTHING but NOT show her client my home!
By the way, I am not FSBO. I sold and I'm paying 3% commission to the buyer's agent. If I wanted to do FSBO, I would have not listed on the MLS. I had to do the open house myself because there was no agent to do the open house. Of course if someone comes in without an agent, and I don't pay the commission I don't see anything wrong with that either - but I've never discouraged an agent from coming. I did the eflyer where my listing was emailed to agents within 25 miles. I've invited the different companies to do their realtor's preview and I've had lots of those. If I was trying to avoid paying an agent, I would never have done any of these things!
Simply put a potential buyer who saw the home during an open house that I hosted was trying to deal with me directly to save the commission for HERSELF not me and I was trying to see if that was even legal since she was very aggravated with her agent for a variety of reasons. Once I learned that this was not ethical or legal, I informed the client immediately that the ONLY way this transaction could go through would be WITH HER AGENT! I INSISTED THAT WE WOULD ONLY DEAL WITH HER AGENT!
Yet still there is something horribly wrong with how I have conducted this transaction?
By the way, I am not FSBO. I sold and I'm paying 3% commission to the buyer's agent. If I wanted to do FSBO, I would have not listed on the MLS. I had to do the open house myself because there was no agent to do the open house. Of course if someone comes in without an agent, and I don't pay the commission I don't see anything wrong with that either - but I've never discouraged an agent from coming. I did the eflyer where my listing was emailed to agents within 25 miles. I've invited the different companies to do their realtor's preview and I've had lots of those. If I was trying to avoid paying an agent, I would never have done any of these things!
Simply put a potential buyer who saw the home during an open house that I hosted was trying to deal with me directly to save the commission for HERSELF not me and I was trying to see if that was even legal since she was very aggravated with her agent for a variety of reasons. Once I learned that this was not ethical or legal, I informed the client immediately that the ONLY way this transaction could go through would be WITH HER AGENT! I INSISTED THAT WE WOULD ONLY DEAL WITH HER AGENT!
Yet still there is something horribly wrong with how I have conducted this transaction?
J.R. I won't respond to your posts anymore as it is obvious that you do not read my posts and you state incorrect information.
I held an OPEN HOUSE which is always done by the owner if you did a flat fee listing. A potential buyer found my open house herself while she was looking at another scheduled appointment with her realtor who did not pull my listing to show her even though it was exactly what her client was looking for. The client came in ALONE and my husband started answering her questions. A few minutes later her realtor walked in and gave my husband her card. My husband showed the house and answered a thousand questions the client had. The client emailed and called us many times with many questions. She wanted to offer a super low price. She asked to deal with us directly because she was mad that her agent did offer to show her this property. She was negotiating with us directly and wanted to know if she could give us substantially less than our asking price if we dealt with her directly. She did not feel her agent was entitled to a commission since she did not bring her to the property - she followed the client and her husband to my house after they were done looking at the scheduled appt. I came here to ask if this was even legal or possible. We had NOTHING TO GAIN by dealing with her directly other than that we could have accepted $15k less from her without the agent and received the same net price. With the agent, the buyer would be paying $15k more. I asked here and asked our listing agent and found that this could possibly cause us huge problems. I called her agent and emailed her and never got a response; however, I did tell this client that her agent would have to present the offer and I would not be able to go any lower with the price. She finally agreed to include her agent (unhappily) and we later terminated the offer because she tried to further reduce her offer price. In no way shape or form was I trying to avoid paying her agent. in the end it makes absolutely NO DIFFERENCE to me since we would be receiving the same amount of money either way. I did feel that this agent did absolutely nothing and couldn't see that the buyer should be forced to pay $15k more for the property because her agent followed her to an open house that she and she alone saw, but I did not want to do anything unethical or take any chances whatsoever for legal complications.
Now I still fail to understand what I have done or asked that has you so "ticked off"? It must just be that I handled the listing agent responsibilities myself? Maybe more realtors should be open minded in this poor market with options to save their clients money - in the long run the realtors will most likely be making more money because their clients will be loyal and only buy through them.
I held an OPEN HOUSE which is always done by the owner if you did a flat fee listing. A potential buyer found my open house herself while she was looking at another scheduled appointment with her realtor who did not pull my listing to show her even though it was exactly what her client was looking for. The client came in ALONE and my husband started answering her questions. A few minutes later her realtor walked in and gave my husband her card. My husband showed the house and answered a thousand questions the client had. The client emailed and called us many times with many questions. She wanted to offer a super low price. She asked to deal with us directly because she was mad that her agent did offer to show her this property. She was negotiating with us directly and wanted to know if she could give us substantially less than our asking price if we dealt with her directly. She did not feel her agent was entitled to a commission since she did not bring her to the property - she followed the client and her husband to my house after they were done looking at the scheduled appt. I came here to ask if this was even legal or possible. We had NOTHING TO GAIN by dealing with her directly other than that we could have accepted $15k less from her without the agent and received the same net price. With the agent, the buyer would be paying $15k more. I asked here and asked our listing agent and found that this could possibly cause us huge problems. I called her agent and emailed her and never got a response; however, I did tell this client that her agent would have to present the offer and I would not be able to go any lower with the price. She finally agreed to include her agent (unhappily) and we later terminated the offer because she tried to further reduce her offer price. In no way shape or form was I trying to avoid paying her agent. in the end it makes absolutely NO DIFFERENCE to me since we would be receiving the same amount of money either way. I did feel that this agent did absolutely nothing and couldn't see that the buyer should be forced to pay $15k more for the property because her agent followed her to an open house that she and she alone saw, but I did not want to do anything unethical or take any chances whatsoever for legal complications.
Now I still fail to understand what I have done or asked that has you so "ticked off"? It must just be that I handled the listing agent responsibilities myself? Maybe more realtors should be open minded in this poor market with options to save their clients money - in the long run the realtors will most likely be making more money because their clients will be loyal and only buy through them.
Thank you to Marc and everyone else who actually chose to ANSWER the question, you were very helpful. I do beleive, that I, like many other sellers who have posted in the past, will not be posting any more questions here just to receive mostly spiteful, rude, and unhelpful responses.
By the way, if other realtors aren't doing their jobs, and you guys are, you should be happy about it because that ensures you will get more business from the clients of the inept realtors. If you all truly believe that every realtor deserves a commission even if they don't do anything, don't return phone calls, their client doesn't like them, they don't pull the proper listings, etc., than what does that mean for those of you who are giving 150% to your clients?
By the way, if other realtors aren't doing their jobs, and you guys are, you should be happy about it because that ensures you will get more business from the clients of the inept realtors. If you all truly believe that every realtor deserves a commission even if they don't do anything, don't return phone calls, their client doesn't like them, they don't pull the proper listings, etc., than what does that mean for those of you who are giving 150% to your clients?
By the way, my "pseudo-agent" is not an anonymous flat fee discount house. it's a regular big name brokerage with a regular agent. No one knows that this is "flat fee". I've had 6 offers on the home and 46 showings in 2 months. I don't think I suffered at all. Also, the agent who did the listing has been extremely helpful with all of my questions - including the one about the agent at the open house. After I received her answer (which of course was to not do this with the agent) I promptly contacted the buyer and attempted to email that agent to let both know the only way I would proceed would be through the agent. My flat fee listing agent will also be the one who will be selling me my new home. I only asked the question here to get some general input. Perhaps if more agencies started offering their sellers this program at a low cost, they would be gaining loyal buyers who would feel indebted for the MLS listing service and would not consider letting another agent help them find a home after they have successfully sold theirs.
I don't see anything wrong with a motiviated seller who is willing to take on the multitude of tasks that a listing agent normally handles. It's obviously a big job and only made me appreciate how much work a listing agent actually does with regard to the listing service. However since I did have the time and resources, it definitely worked in my favor and I enjoyed the process.
I don't see anything wrong with a motiviated seller who is willing to take on the multitude of tasks that a listing agent normally handles. It's obviously a big job and only made me appreciate how much work a listing agent actually does with regard to the listing service. However since I did have the time and resources, it definitely worked in my favor and I enjoyed the process.
You are all apparently clueless as to my intent and did not completely read my original posts so I will state it again.
If I did not want or intend to pay an agent who brought me a buyer a fee, I would not have listed my home on the MLS.
I had specific questions regarding an agent who followed her client to my open house, hosted by me when the client asked the questions, I showed the home and the client was negotiating with me directly and the client did not want to deal with her agent and disliked her agent. The client was insisting we deal directly so SHE could save money - I would have accepted a lesser price from the buyer that would have been equal to my net if we went through her agent. After investigating and speaking with my flat fee agent, I decided I did not want to deal with this buyer at which point I told her I would ONLY handle this transaction through her realtor. I tried to contact her realtor by email and phone to no avail and continued the negotiations with the buyer directly with the explicit instructions that I would only accept a written offer presented by her agent. When this buyer came for a 2nd visit, she came with her agent, her agent agreed with a very negative comment the client made about my home. At which point the client (agent didn't speak the whole time) tried to substantially reduce her offer which we rejected and the client and agent left. I sold THROUGH A DIFFERENT AGENT who was a pleasure to deal with and worked very hard for her client. I told my husband tonight that I would rather have sold for LESS money through this agent (who is handling the offer I received) than for $5k or $10k more to that agent and her client. That agent did not deserve a dime for horrible job performance. I don't see anything wrong with saying that. Just because you are an agent doesn't mean you should stick up for any agent and say they deserve to be paid if they did a poor job (like never speaking to the seller, not returning calls or emails, not showing the house, basically NOT doing anything whatsoever to procure the sale!)
Seriously the most credible professional on this board is Marc. Why is everyone else that is answering rudely so unscrupulous?
If I did not want or intend to pay an agent who brought me a buyer a fee, I would not have listed my home on the MLS.
I had specific questions regarding an agent who followed her client to my open house, hosted by me when the client asked the questions, I showed the home and the client was negotiating with me directly and the client did not want to deal with her agent and disliked her agent. The client was insisting we deal directly so SHE could save money - I would have accepted a lesser price from the buyer that would have been equal to my net if we went through her agent. After investigating and speaking with my flat fee agent, I decided I did not want to deal with this buyer at which point I told her I would ONLY handle this transaction through her realtor. I tried to contact her realtor by email and phone to no avail and continued the negotiations with the buyer directly with the explicit instructions that I would only accept a written offer presented by her agent. When this buyer came for a 2nd visit, she came with her agent, her agent agreed with a very negative comment the client made about my home. At which point the client (agent didn't speak the whole time) tried to substantially reduce her offer which we rejected and the client and agent left. I sold THROUGH A DIFFERENT AGENT who was a pleasure to deal with and worked very hard for her client. I told my husband tonight that I would rather have sold for LESS money through this agent (who is handling the offer I received) than for $5k or $10k more to that agent and her client. That agent did not deserve a dime for horrible job performance. I don't see anything wrong with saying that. Just because you are an agent doesn't mean you should stick up for any agent and say they deserve to be paid if they did a poor job (like never speaking to the seller, not returning calls or emails, not showing the house, basically NOT doing anything whatsoever to procure the sale!)
Seriously the most credible professional on this board is Marc. Why is everyone else that is answering rudely so unscrupulous?
Are the people who write answers here actually trying to help anyone or are they just trying to harass anyone who is successful selling a home with a flat fee mls? Yes, it does happen, yes I did receive 6 offers on my home and I chose one based on the buyer's strengths as well as other criteria. The buyer DID have an agent who I am MORE THAN HAPPY to pay a buyer's agent fee to! This agent was very helpful, did lots of work for her clients and was a pleasure to deal with all of the way around -- unlike another specific agent I had asked a question about previously that had done absolutely nothing but obviously the entire "agent community" here feels that an agent deserves a commission simply if they are alive and following a cleint - not for actually doing any work such as setting up an appointment, showing the property, handling the negotiations, handling the offer, asking their buyers questions to the seller and handling the transaction between their buyer and the seller. No, it is obvious that if that offer had gone through, I should have paid that agent because she was able to follow her client one day and I never heard from here even after repeated attempts to reach her by phone and email to discuss her clients attempts to contact me. For the record, I emailed and called this agent and told her client that there was no way I would deal with her directly without her agent! On a follow up visit, her agent helped fuel her clients one negative impression of my property - not a great sales techinique either, huh? As a result, I rejected the entire offer and I am happy that I found a buyer with an agent that deserves a commission!
Kristina answered:
Thank you, our listing agent took care of ordering this for us this morning!
As far as I know every single thing in the home is in working order; however, the air conditioner (working great right now I'm freezing!) is 19 years old so what if it would have a problem between now and the sale? I like the ahs plan! I guess I'll give them a call.
I was hoping, for example, if the air conditioner needs to be replaced or the furnance or something big, that the warranty would pay for it?
Kristina answered:
Do you mean that more bedrooms is not a good thing? The way it is set up, it makes a nice "suite" where one bedroom could be used as a living area and then the connecting bedroom could be the bedroom. At least that's how we set it up when my mother in law was living with us and that was a very nice ample setup. I think it has many uses, but when we bought the home we knew we would not use 5 bedrooms so one is an office and the rear bedroom is our guest room.
I have a question to add to this! If the room has a window, a closet, and a door, but you pass through this room to get to another bedroom is this still technically a bedroom or not? My sister is selling her home as a 5 bedroom home, but there is a door off the hallway that leads to one of the bedrooms, this room has the window and light and is a decent sized room, and there is another door off of this room that leads to another bedroom. Would this room be considered a bedroom or not?
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