George Belleville

There are many different broker models, and RedFin is just one of the latest. It has advantages and disadvantages. One concern I would have as a potential buyer is the amount of area assigned to the buyer agent. If you go to the Maryland page on RedFin and look at their agents for Howard County, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Baltimore..... same 2-3 faces.

How well do you trust them to really know what is going on in a particular community? I always wonder about the agents who are willing to work for less..... maybe they make it up in quantity, but of course that works against you somewhat. If you find a neighborhood you like with no homes for sale, will they get out and door knock the neighborhood and try to find you one? Research expired listings, and try to coax them back into the market for you? They may, I don't know, but there is much more to the process than search, locate, visit, write and move in. Just make sure you are getting the service you want.

Also, if you are planning to use them, make sure your lender will even allow a rebate.... these issue have become complicated, and I have seen a few rebates vaporize when the lender wouldn't allow them. Better to know in advance if that will be an issue, since the seller pays the listing broker, who tells the title company how to split the commission... RedFin, as buyer agent, can't force a deviation in that process.

Good luck with whatever you decide. - Tue Dec 8 2009, 14:35