erin217
03-10-2008, 10:47 AM
Hello, I'm a first time home buyer. My husband and I are relocating back to Chicago, and would like to buy. I've done all the research on looking for homes myself. And there is one that stands out above the rest.
We were originally considering not using an agent, but we've decided that we want someone in our corner. Here's the problem. I found the house we want online and called the number associated with the house, and we talked to the agent. We didn't feel like he was doing a great job (among other little things, we were in town one weekend and wanted to look at the house, he told us they weren't home, so we went to look at the neighborhood and the street it was on, and check out the walk from the El train to the house, as the areas can be spotty in Chicago, and accidentally ran into the owner's adult son who is living there. Seriously, we didn't knock on their door or do any "investigative work" or anything weird, and he seemed unaware that we had tried to see the house that weekend).
So, we took down the number on the sign in their yard, thinking we might reach the seller's agent instead of the guy we'd been talking to. But when we called later, it was the same guy. Which is ok, I guess. I don't DISLIKE him, and he's actually been more helpful recently. Since we don't live there right now, and were unable to see the inside of the house, he went through and took a bunch of pictures for us, which was helpful, and he's answered a few basic questions about the pictures since then.
I'm not sure exactly what our relationship is, and I have a funny feeling that something is not quite right. He's mentioned that the listing agent isn't very helpful, so I assume he's not the listing agent. I haven't signed anything. I've never even seen the guy face to face. Is the agent we've been talking to perhaps in the same office as the listing agent? And that's why his number is listed on the sign? I don't know what the correct thing to do in this case is. I want to get the best deal and feel secure in our home buying process.
I've been thinking that we should get a buyer's broker. The house is in need of a little work, it's being sold "as-is", and they claim that there are no known issues with the house, which I don't believe, but whatever, that's what the inspection is for I suppose. I REALLY like this house and we want to make an offer on it, but I'm not sure if it's the best idea to stick with the guy that we've been talking to or to find a broker. Any suggestions would be very welcome! Again, I'm a first time home buyer, so I'm really figuring things out as I go along. If you need any other info, let me know and I'll be happy to provide it.
On a side note, he told us the listing was in preforeclosure, and I've found (on my own research) that it sold for 290K in 2005. They're asking 319K. Is 290 a good place to start with the offer, or should we start lower/higher? It's been on the market for at least 4 months now.
Erin
Just realized how long this is!:eek: Sorry!!!
We were originally considering not using an agent, but we've decided that we want someone in our corner. Here's the problem. I found the house we want online and called the number associated with the house, and we talked to the agent. We didn't feel like he was doing a great job (among other little things, we were in town one weekend and wanted to look at the house, he told us they weren't home, so we went to look at the neighborhood and the street it was on, and check out the walk from the El train to the house, as the areas can be spotty in Chicago, and accidentally ran into the owner's adult son who is living there. Seriously, we didn't knock on their door or do any "investigative work" or anything weird, and he seemed unaware that we had tried to see the house that weekend).
So, we took down the number on the sign in their yard, thinking we might reach the seller's agent instead of the guy we'd been talking to. But when we called later, it was the same guy. Which is ok, I guess. I don't DISLIKE him, and he's actually been more helpful recently. Since we don't live there right now, and were unable to see the inside of the house, he went through and took a bunch of pictures for us, which was helpful, and he's answered a few basic questions about the pictures since then.
I'm not sure exactly what our relationship is, and I have a funny feeling that something is not quite right. He's mentioned that the listing agent isn't very helpful, so I assume he's not the listing agent. I haven't signed anything. I've never even seen the guy face to face. Is the agent we've been talking to perhaps in the same office as the listing agent? And that's why his number is listed on the sign? I don't know what the correct thing to do in this case is. I want to get the best deal and feel secure in our home buying process.
I've been thinking that we should get a buyer's broker. The house is in need of a little work, it's being sold "as-is", and they claim that there are no known issues with the house, which I don't believe, but whatever, that's what the inspection is for I suppose. I REALLY like this house and we want to make an offer on it, but I'm not sure if it's the best idea to stick with the guy that we've been talking to or to find a broker. Any suggestions would be very welcome! Again, I'm a first time home buyer, so I'm really figuring things out as I go along. If you need any other info, let me know and I'll be happy to provide it.
On a side note, he told us the listing was in preforeclosure, and I've found (on my own research) that it sold for 290K in 2005. They're asking 319K. Is 290 a good place to start with the offer, or should we start lower/higher? It's been on the market for at least 4 months now.
Erin
Just realized how long this is!:eek: Sorry!!!