Nowadays, it’s almost impossible NOT to use an agent…unless you are able to find a FSBO (for sale by owner). Otherwise, you won’t even be able to get in to SEE a house. And everything has become so complicated….it is in your best interest to use an agent. A week? Not very long for such an important decision.
It can be done. My brother and I had tried for 6 years to get our elderly parents out of their century-old huge four bedroom, two story house. Then our little sister came to visit for a week and not only convinced them they needed to move, but by the time she left they had a contract on a mid-century 3 bedroom that they both loved.
While my parents were living in Georgia my mother decided to return to Kentucky to her teaching job at the university. They already had a house here and were wanting to sell the one they owned there. My dad was driving by a house that had a pile of trash by the road and saw a for sale sign thrown on it. He stopped and picked up the sign took it home stuck it in the yard then left to go to the lumber yard to get some lumber to repair the deck. He was gone about an hour but when he came back the guy next door came over to tell him someone had stopped by to look at the house and would return in about an hour and a half. End of story he sold the house to the guy later in the week after the guy’s wife was able to look at it.
Strange as this may sound, I have never used a real estate agent to purchase a house or property and only used one once ( not my choice ) in selling a home.
I have used mortgage bankers and lawyers to do title searches, draw up contracts, and arrange financing but have always dealt directly with the buyer when purchasing.
The same holds true for renting. I have, whenever possible, avoided leasing agents and dealt directly with the landlord.
The result was always not only a tremendous saving in commission money but in satisfactory purchases with no surprises or hidden costs. Yes, it required a lot of due diligence on my part, but it was worth it. I never had “buyer’s remorse”.
I believe Mrs. Baird (the old lady mentioned above) lives across the street, not next door. But yeah, she’s selling her house. Wait until Connie hears!
In Canada the lawyers and banks look after all the legalities,for modest fees,the real estate agent shows the home,writes up an offer to purchase,and gets from 5 to 7 per cent commission for their troubles. That’s about $20000.00On the average home sale! Sheesh!
@JanCinLvYes that’s true,but in many cases the buyer doesn’t have an agent,and the listing agent gets all of the commission.In any case it seems like a lot of money considering the average selling time has been of short duration the past few years.The house next to us was listed and sold in 3 days recently.$20000.00 for 1 open house and a few showings! even split 2 ways that’s a lot of dough.To be fair many houses sit on the market forever and agents don’t get paid any thing for that.They are on call 24/7 and tee times are getting more difficult as golf courses go public.I guess it all evens out in the long run.
Using an agent to buy a house makes perfect sence sinceThe commission is payed by the seller not the buyer.Of course the seller will try to build it into the their asking price,So you’re going to pay for it one way or another!
GirlGeek Premium Member over 8 years ago
Ummm…OK
lightenup Premium Member over 8 years ago
A week?? snerk!! Maybe if I’m making the decision alone, but even then, it’s a big decision that takes time and usually goes better with assistance.
dlkrueger33 over 8 years ago
Nowadays, it’s almost impossible NOT to use an agent…unless you are able to find a FSBO (for sale by owner). Otherwise, you won’t even be able to get in to SEE a house. And everything has become so complicated….it is in your best interest to use an agent. A week? Not very long for such an important decision.
kroberts123 over 8 years ago
It can be done. My brother and I had tried for 6 years to get our elderly parents out of their century-old huge four bedroom, two story house. Then our little sister came to visit for a week and not only convinced them they needed to move, but by the time she left they had a contract on a mid-century 3 bedroom that they both loved.
pjclark over 8 years ago
While my parents were living in Georgia my mother decided to return to Kentucky to her teaching job at the university. They already had a house here and were wanting to sell the one they owned there. My dad was driving by a house that had a pile of trash by the road and saw a for sale sign thrown on it. He stopped and picked up the sign took it home stuck it in the yard then left to go to the lumber yard to get some lumber to repair the deck. He was gone about an hour but when he came back the guy next door came over to tell him someone had stopped by to look at the house and would return in about an hour and a half. End of story he sold the house to the guy later in the week after the guy’s wife was able to look at it.
Linguist over 8 years ago
Strange as this may sound, I have never used a real estate agent to purchase a house or property and only used one once ( not my choice ) in selling a home.
I have used mortgage bankers and lawyers to do title searches, draw up contracts, and arrange financing but have always dealt directly with the buyer when purchasing.
The same holds true for renting. I have, whenever possible, avoided leasing agents and dealt directly with the landlord.
The result was always not only a tremendous saving in commission money but in satisfactory purchases with no surprises or hidden costs. Yes, it required a lot of due diligence on my part, but it was worth it. I never had “buyer’s remorse”.
Prey over 8 years ago
The old lady next door is selling her house ….
AnnDeeQ over 8 years ago
I believe Mrs. Baird (the old lady mentioned above) lives across the street, not next door. But yeah, she’s selling her house. Wait until Connie hears!
summerdog86 over 8 years ago
Why hasn’t Elly mentioned the obvious?
kab2rb over 8 years ago
I live in neighborhood homes do not sell that well renting does moves faster with renters.
Alphaomega over 8 years ago
In Canada the lawyers and banks look after all the legalities,for modest fees,the real estate agent shows the home,writes up an offer to purchase,and gets from 5 to 7 per cent commission for their troubles. That’s about $20000.00On the average home sale! Sheesh!
Alphaomega over 8 years ago
@JanCinLvYes that’s true,but in many cases the buyer doesn’t have an agent,and the listing agent gets all of the commission.In any case it seems like a lot of money considering the average selling time has been of short duration the past few years.The house next to us was listed and sold in 3 days recently.$20000.00 for 1 open house and a few showings! even split 2 ways that’s a lot of dough.To be fair many houses sit on the market forever and agents don’t get paid any thing for that.They are on call 24/7 and tee times are getting more difficult as golf courses go public.I guess it all evens out in the long run.
Alphaomega over 8 years ago
Using an agent to buy a house makes perfect sence sinceThe commission is payed by the seller not the buyer.Of course the seller will try to build it into the their asking price,So you’re going to pay for it one way or another!
Catcrazy31 over 8 years ago
What about the old ladies house next door
Wolfybrine over 8 years ago
Is this just an ad?