Joe Sorrentino

Is your home listed with a full service real estate company? You can e-mail me or call be direct and we can try to help you. We are in Western New York and work in the West Seneca area.
Joe Sorrentino
MJ Peterson Real Estate
joe@joesorrentino.com
716-568-0355 - Wed Jun 25 2008, 11:55

I think that an agent should do his or her homework when selecting a company to affiliate themselves with. They should contact the middle of the road agents in the company (not the top producers) and pick their brain. They should ask the agents what are the strong points of the company and what are things that the agent feels needs improvement. Then, you should contact agents that you know recently left the company and ask them what are the reasons they left and what advice they would give to an agent considering joining that company. Usually reasons an agent leaves a company is that there was a lack of support of the agent (did not help to protect them in a commission dispute, lack of referrals of buyers and sellers that continually went to the company favorites etc). Many times it is a lack of communication from the CEO down. When an owner isolates themselves in an ivory tower from the agents that are in the trenches it creates dissention. They don't relate. Agents feel as though the owner is just concentrating on his or her own profit margin. You cannot pass on to the manager the sole task of communications. This is a people business that is loaded with many emotions. Well, agents have emotions too and need to feel good once and a while. Direct competition is another big factor that makes agents resent their owner or manager, especially in a down market. If your owner or manager is out there showing houses or taking listings, it creates conflict and especially if you are in a slump and need a boost. It's too bad the Real Estate industry doesn't mirror the auto sales industry. A manager or owner of a medium sized company never takes a customer, even if they are related to the consumer. They do a T.O. (turn it over to a salesperson) on a rotating basis. If you are trying to select a place to become a part of, it is not just about how much of a commission split they promise you or how big the company is by the number of agents, it is how happy the staff and the agents are and also how the public perception is. The final thing a new agent should do is to poll the general public. Go to friends, neighbors and relatives and tell them you are entering the real estate business. Then, ask for THEIR opinion about which company they feel would be a good choice. If they were to put their trust in you, which company would they want to see behind you!
Joe Sorrentino
MJ Peterson Real Estate - Thu Jun 12 2008, 22:50

Hey Gang, I think Cathy has bought a home by now. This question was originally asked in June 2007!!! - Thu Jun 12 2008, 21:49

It all depends on the price range, budget and requirements of the buyer. Is school a factor? Where is your daily commute going to be? Do you prefer a more rural setting or a older village to be in? Lots of factors to consider but price (per month) could be what will make your determination as taxes will impact your monthly housing expense. - Tue Jan 15 2008, 17:10

Not necessarily so, especially if you pay cash. The only thing that you really should have is a title search. An inspector is for your benefit but not required in this area. Title insurance is not required if you pay cash. The builder/developer should give you a standard builder's warrantee. However, this may be the largest investment you are making and you should consider that a few dollars spent in order to insure that the property your are purchasing has no significant flaws, no clouds or liens on the title, and has marketable title for your future resale is well worth it.
Joe Sorrentino - Tue May 20 2008, 22:13

Stable. Depending on the price range you are talking about, and what part of the Buffalo area, there are some quick sales and close to asking price situations going on right now. - Fri May 9 2008, 15:20