Bob Orr

Unfortunately a buyer's agents commission (there I said it) is tied to selling price. In this market, I'm betting your agent wants a much $ as possible, hence the more you pay, the more he/she makes. I dumped my realtor last year because she wouldn't even give me comps or follow up on what homes eventually sold for - I very much got the impression she was trying to force a sale and she got kind of indignant when I backed out on offer once I saw the comps - that was the only time she actually provided me pricing data that I had verbally requested numerous times. She also was constantly telling me how properties we looked at were being bid on - I'm not sure who was lying, the other realtor, her, or both, but something definitely was rotten in Denmark.

The only other thing it could be is that higher end realtors might be "embarassed" about lowball offers as it somehow reflects upon them - I got the impression this could have been going on with my realtor as well. Either way, dump them if they don't do what you ask...heck, dump them regardless - there a a million underworked realtors out there, and a few of them are even good and honest, like the ones who replied to your post... - Wed Feb 11 2009, 09:15

We paid $2800 for a 1200 sq ft rowhome. Properties were reassessed a few years ago and the taxes were jacked up on most homes. We petitioned to have it lowered and won but if the homeowner didn't bother it would be on you to fight it. If you have kids, I would look at Springfield or other districts, or Pilgrim Gardens (Haverford schools). - Wed Feb 11 2009, 08:34

Great Valley Schools are better than West Chester's so if the price is right, move there! - Sat Jan 3 2009, 15:30