Time for a new realtor?

[JohnnyC]

Thinking of getting a new realtor, because the one we have seems pretty useless but was wanting some other opinions first because maybe we have our exectations too high. We (wife and I) are looking to buy a place, and are pre-approved for a loan, and seems like we do all the searching ourselves. Can't remember when the last time he actually sent us something he thought we'd be interested in. Its basically been my wife and I finding places that look interesting online or in the newspaper and then we ask him about it and he basically just emails us his MLS listing and then a few days later will ask if there is anything we are interested in going to see. Everyonce in a while he'll have us go into his office and search through the MLS listings with him, but thats about it. There have been 2-3 places in our price range that we missed out on because by the time my wife or I found them they were already sold. It doesn't seem like he's really doing much for us. Are we expecting too much? Is this how it is? Obviously this would be our first time buying so neither of us really know what to expect. One potential problem is that we did sign some sort of exclusive buyer agreement last week when we made an offer on a place last week on a place that ended up not working out. Are these agreements difficult to get out of?

[TJ2007]

Guess 1st thing is to read through that agreement and see what it really says, and when a commission is due.

I would think that he is only due a commission where he is the 'Procuring Cause of the Sale' . Which really means he makes it happen, including showing you the home & writing the offer.

If you make an offerwith another agent on a home he has shown you 1st - he is sure to whine about it.

Besides this, there is nothing wrong in having multiple agents on the look out for you. Whoever brings you what you are looking for wins. (just don't sign any more 'buyer' agreements)

It astonishes me that he isn't at least emailing new properties constantly, I have trouble getting them to stay away.

I'm sure we'd like to know what area you are in, I'm sure someone here can refer you to someone good in your area.

Find an agent who is really hungry for your business now and in the future, who is going to get out there and really sweat to find you a place.

[Thesa]

You may have signed what we call a Buyer Broker agreement - if so take a look at it... most of them give you the option to simply send the Realtor a note that says - as Donald Trump says "You're Fired"

At that point find a Realtor with a little more excitement in assisting you. I wish all my buyers had their ducks in a row like you seem to.

Best of luck - you are not looking in Central Oregon are you? If so... call me.

[JohnnyC]

No, we're not in Oregon. We're in Missouri, just outside of St. Louis. The document we signed is titled "Buyer's Exclusive Limited Right To Represent Agreement." It does say the "agreement is reminable by either party within 5 days written notice to the other party." Kind of weird, it doesn't say within 5 days of when, so I guess it means at anytime. I think we have to fire this guy, he's useless and clearly pays no attention to us when we tell him what we are looking for. Much to our suprise we did get an email from him yesterday with 2 places he thought we'd like. The only problem was that the first one was on the exact same street he took us to once before and we told him we weren't interested in this particular area as it was across the street from a cemetary with a not so well kept up trailer park adjacent to this cemetary. The other listing he sent us was a house that did not have a garage, and I specifically told him previously that we weren't interested in houses that did not have a garage. I guess in a way we should be somewhat glad he at least tried to find us something for a change, but on the other hand its like he hasn't listened to a word we have said. My wife and I found 7 other places we might be interested in and at least 5 were found on the company he works for website. We replied to his email yesterday asking him about a new housing development that we also found on his company's site and as of now have yet to get a response.

[REbuyersgroup]

It is interesting to hear that it is far more common in other areas of the country to have buyers sign a "buyer/agent agreement" Florida it is not so common, but I tried it a few times with little interest from buyers. Buyers hate to sign anything for fear they are doing something they cannot get out of. We do it for "loyalty" of the client. We don't want you running around with every agent in town.

Just as Buyers have complaints about agents, I'm sure I could FILL this board with agent complaints about buyers. The old quote "Buyers are Liars"

If you feel you are not receiving the highest quality service, then you should absolutely be kind and tell the agent to have a nice day and move on. Don't be the client that stops taking phone calls or responds to emails because they do not want to "fire the agent".

I have shown clients homes they did not like in neighborhoods they told me they hated, only to find they bought a house in the same neighborhood with another agent after I fired the client. (Sometime agents have to do that as well.)

Agents and Clients have a very unique relationship in that it is truly a team effort. Agents need to listen better and clients need to convey EXACTLY what they want. Being honest with one another and understanding your needs is critical in ensuring you find the perfect home.

OK Long winded. Sorry. I could fill pages with this stuff.

[Thesa]

just so you understand how the email part works - on our mls - and at my website - you pick your search criteria - I submit it - and the houses come to you without me thinking about it. Now when I am working with an A buyer (someone ready to buy now) I watch the new listings and because they were already emailed to them I simply follow up - I do not actually send the listings it is done automatically - he may have your search set wrong -

But that would generally not allow for him to exclude a street a neighborhood sometimes but not a street.

[ericbramlett]

"5 days written notice" is just that - give him written notice that your agreement terminates in 5 days. Any buyer's agent worth their salt will set up the "auto searches" that Thesa talked about. It sounds to me like your agent isn't very tech-savy. I would recommend asking friends/family for a referral - that's typically the best way to get hooked up w/ someone good. If you're new to the area, run a google search for "your city, state real estate" - then you can "check out" the agents ahead of time before you call them.

[FlatFeeKing]

I cant really tell you that he is doing his job yet or not. my opinion is that the part of sending you listings, and showing you properties a monkey can do. I am a realtor myself, let me disclose that. I always feel sort of useless just showing properties, of course i see value with myself because i can talk with you about financing options and explain the structural integrity of the home, but the real VALUE comes when its time to start negotiating, getting the home inspected, getting the seller to fix everthing, and getting you a deal with the title company because i send them so many deals.

opening doors = monkey
negotiating contracts = good agent