Thread: How to deal with 2 agents

You don't know what you don't know and your friend doesn't know either. When a problem shows up that your friend was too inexperienced to foresee you will run the risk of losing your friendship and getting burned on the deal.

How do you buyr any knid of service?

Look around and ask for recomendations from others who have bought recently. Arrange for 3 or 4 interviews with the people who seem to work best with you and then (and only then) make a choice and hire the most appropriate person to work with.

The people you mentioned may - or may not - make the list of those you interview.

Have a great time and remember you are the boss.

Your friend will not provide the value that the experienced agent brings to the table. Not to mention the experienced agent has done everything for you that you have asked for so far.

Originally Posted by gjtrafl

Your friend will not provide the value that the experienced agent brings to the table. Not to mention the experienced agent has done everything for you that you have asked for so far.

It does not matter who has done what at this moment. There is no shortage of people to work with. Simply contact some of them, interview a few, and make a choice.

Thank you all for making comments, but none of you have tried to answer the question whether I am LEGALLY obligated to the first agent, or I can go with whoever, since I had not signed any documents for working with either one.

Thanks

If you have not signed a buyers agent agreement with the agent you are not legally obligated. I you happen to write on a home that the agent had shown you first there could be an issue.

Every one of us agents were new at some point and many of us had our first transactions with friends or family. I know veteran agents that aren't very bright, don't give their clients the attention they need and still make numerous mistakes even after being in the business many years.
I would ask your friend if he has a mentor or someone looking over him to help him out since he is new to make sure all the bases are covered.

Originally Posted by ataslaki

I believe ethically I am bound to go with the lady, who has been helping me for a year to find me a home of my choice. But, do I have any LEGAL obligation to continue having her as my agent? I would like my friend to find me a home and get all the benefit.

You are not ethically or legally bound to the first agent and truthfully if she had been a good agent she would have gone over your business relationship with you and had you sign a buyers rep agreement. If she is this sloppy about her business with you she might be just as sloppy when negotiating on your behalf.

As far as your friend goes, it would be nice for them to get the benefit but you have to look out for your own interests first. If you were being audited by the IRS would you choose a seasoned tax professional to work with or give a friend the benefit by becoming your friends first client? If you think your friend is capable of representing your interests fine, but otherwise, your friend should understand that it's just business.

What do some of you seasoned agents advise me to do. Go with a long-time friend, or some unknown agent (considering I'm doing the homework myself and I don't consider either one of them to be better or worse than the other).

Please help, I'm in crisis mode!!!

What work are you doing? Looking at houses on the internet? That's just one small part of the equation. It is the process that begins when you write a contract and ends at closing where you need the experienced help.

I would suggest that you go with that lady, since she is the one who has been doing all that hard work for you, without any consideration so far,

In life long term relationships matter a lot, and so far with what you have told us here, she has the first right to any home, if she fails in it, that is she can't get the deal though or something, then your friend has the right to do it for you, morally speaking, legally you are not bound with anyone.

Originally Posted by GovGuy

I would suggest that you go with that lady, since she is the one who has been doing all that hard work for you, without any consideration so far,

In life long term relationships matter a lot, and so far with what you have told us here, she has the first right to any home, if she fails in it, that is she can't get the deal though or something, then your friend has the right to do it for you, morally speaking, legally you are not bound with anyone.

Seriously, if this person who has consumed so much of your time, was truly competent, you would already be in escrow.

Sorry, but the business of ANYTHING in today's world is simply not "fair".

Find some agents, make some appointments, select the most appropriate - for you - and move forward.