Rachel Pajaczek

Yes. this is true. What kind of meat are you smoking? - Tue Jun 10 2008, 20:37

Why is Connie even using a realtor at all? If she thinks they are almost worthless. why didn't she right up the offer herself? - Fri Jan 11 2008, 09:29

Also, another discount site ishttp:// www.hungryagents.com - Thu Jan 3 2008, 15:43

Brian, I don't care if realtors give rebates-- I do that all the time.
Most of the comments on t(his thread at least )is referring to Connie's original post because doesn't really make sense and she never clarified. - Thu Jan 3 2008, 15:41

Paula--here! here!--that is a great idea...only receive info if you (the consumer) respond to the post. - Sun Dec 2 2007, 20:11

I guess Connie isn't going to responde to any of our questions! - Sun Dec 2 2007, 12:11

Connie- are you going to clarify your question?

Connie, it's because it's hard to tell what your actual question is.
When you say, "was not actively working towards closing the gap of purchase,"-- you mean she was not trying to negotiate to get what you originally offered after the seller countered?
When you say, " I give both agent the same purchase price,"-- what does this mean? - You made two offers with two different agents on the same house?
When you say, "I worked with the agent to make an offer which is much lower than my current purchase price,"--um.... you made an offer, and the seller countered, and you accepted that number, so that is the current purchase price?
When you say, "it is just the first agent not able to close this gap by any mean."--This goes back to- did you hire two agents? -- When you say, "close the gap"-- you mean negotiate????

We can help you better if you are more clear...I can't understand what is really going on by your question. - Thu Nov 8 2007, 12:34

Susan, I'd be interested how many agents you have had interaction with. You've been talking about agents -"since the boom"----so I would assume it's 5 or less? -- Did you not get these agents by referrals from friends? - Just wondering. Also, just because you come from a family who is in real estate, unless you have worked with them--it doesn't contribute to your knowledge of how we work day to day. That's like saying your mother has an idea of what a VP of marketing of a tech comp. does on a day to day basis. Besides knowing your general job description. - Wed Nov 7 2007, 15:15

Susan,
That is too bad you have only experienced bad agents. Did I miss something in this thread?- I don't see anyone "angry" that an agent would split a commission. --I think the only comments was making it clear up front what commission is expected. I give rebates, lower my commission all the time. It depends on the situation. Such, for someone like you- who likes to do the work themselves, and all you wanted me to do was write up the contract--we'd decide on a transaction fee. When I send listings to my clients, it is automated with their home criteria. No where in the criteria is there a place for commission amount. Also, when ever there is anything extra like a buyer's agent bonus- I always tell my client that- so they can use it for themselves. - Wed Nov 7 2007, 12:13

Connie, it's because it's hard to tell what your actual question is.
When you say, "was not actively working towards closing the gap of purchase,"-- you mean she was not trying to negotiate to get what you originally offered after the seller countered?
When you say, " I give both agent the same purchase price,"-- what does this mean? - You made two offers with two different agents on the same house?
When you say, "I worked with the agent to make an offer which is much lower than my current purchase price,"--um.... you made an offer, and the seller countered, and you accepted that number, so that is the current purchase price?
When you say, "it is just the first agent not able to close this gap by any mean."--This goes back to- did you hire two agents? -- When you say, "close the gap"-- you mean negotiate????

We can help you better if you are more clear...I can't understand what is really going on by your question. - Wed Nov 7 2007, 12:01

Susan, you are fortuanate to have had deals go thru with no hitches. Often times, a lot of the work starts after the purchase and sale is mutually accepted. There are countless things that can go wrong. If you want a discount broker, or pay someone hourly-simply ask for it. Commission is negotiable- don't complain about it. It's up to you- the consumer.
Now, just to be able to show you houses, which you've said is so easy to do--First we get our license and pay for it--(yes, not that hard), then you have to have your license with a broker, then you have to pay your local MLS a fees to be a part of it, then you have to pay NAR is your brokerage requires it, then, you have to pay your broker an office fee, and fees for copies, (color flyers, marketing materials, postcards) then you pay for postage to send them- every month, then you have to buy all of your signs, then you pay for your lockbox, then you pay for your key for the lockbox, then you pay for all of your continuing education, then you pay for conferences to learn as much as you can, oh, and all your gas, and your cell phone bill, and your internet fees, then you pay for your CRM system, then you pay for the email service we send you (emailing you listings).....anyway- just having a license isn't cheap.
NOW--you finally have a deal, and someone wants to sue--LIABILITY.......and if it goes well, you get paid, and pay whatever you need to -to your broker, boss, or teammate. --Do you end up with a full 3%--NO.
Now, after I've said all that-- would I be willing to get paid a flat fee? -yes- but it would have conditions. - Wed Nov 7 2007, 09:12

what do you mean, by "closing the gap?"--if you mean rebate, and you did not specify that when you wrote the contract--bad on you. People don't rebate in RE unless asked...would you? ---Sometimes I do....but I"m in the 1% range I suspect. - Tue Nov 6 2007, 20:31

E Ellis,
Have you talked with a mortgage broker about finding out what you DO qualify for? -- They can give you an estimate without pulling your credit report-- as long as you know your score and know all your debts that would appear on the report. I would say start there--otherwise you will be spinning your wheels. - Sun Dec 2 2007, 12:14

Also, having student loans shouldn't hurt you. In fact, it helps you gain credit history. Make sure you either pay them on time, or get the payment automated so you don't have to think about it. ----This of course is assuming you have an average student debt amount. (not private college fees) - Sat Dec 1 2007, 13:18

You have to make a choice of what is more important to you--Your' location, or home ownership.
You can get into a condo in North Seatlte or Shoreline--but would you be okay with that? If you see your income doubling in the nest 1-2 yeas, I would wait and buy then. But, if you see yourself only making 5% increases every year in your salary AND you really want to own....then I would look outside of Ballard--one of the most expensive neighborhoods. There are still condos at $200K, or a little lower. just expand your search to other neighborhoods. - Sat Dec 1 2007, 13:16

Maryanne,If it is in the MLS, it will be downloaded to many other web sites. This includes Zillow, Trulia, Windermere, Remax, John L. Scott--all of these sites have download access agreements with the NWMLS. Why would you not want it on other sites? This is how you find a buyer for your home. - Mon Nov 26 2007, 14:46

Sometimes a loan officer will say they will waive their commission for you. This is because they make money on the back end of the loan- which is not disclosed on the HUD statement. This is called a yield spread premium. Most of the time- NO ONE knows how much loan officers really make except for the loan officer. Ask about the Yield Spread Premium and if they are getting any additional rebates from the wholesale lender they are shopping you too. - Mon Nov 19 2007, 13:35