Switch Realtors?

[EEinNJ]

I've used the same realtor to buy & sell 3 houses over the last 20+ years. He knows the area well, he's at it full-time, not a weekender, and works for a nationwide firm. He prices properties competitively so they sell quickly. He just got my home sold, and overall I'd give him good reviews.

At the same time, my GF & I have been looking to buy a new place. This is where the problem is. She doesn't particularly like him, and when it comes to showing houses, we've both noticed he doesn't seem to put as much energy into it. He is responsive and makes appointments, though we've had a few lapses. He doesn't seem to have the "inside scoop" on properties in our small town.

What really got me wondering was, we found a house, put an offer in, then the deal fell through after inspections because of all the repairs that were needed. Later, we talked to another local agent who has started her own agency, and seems very proactive and knowledgeable (and GF knows & likes her). She knew about the house we tried to buy because the seller had interviewed her to list it, and told us what she thought the house needed & was worth. I was left wishing I'd talked to her first, before I offered too much, then wasted money on inspections.

So we're thinking of switching realtors, but we're concerned this new one won't have the time or service level, and also because it's a small town (and a long term biz relationship), creating hard feelings.

Thoughts?

[ua_guy]

If it's a truly long-term business relationship, it might be worth raising the concern that you don't feel you're getting the level of service you're used to. It doesn't have to be confrontational, but if there's something specific that really doesn't meet your expectations, it's worth asking about. Maybe he's got too much on his plate, maybe he's done with the business relationship, could be a lot of things. Then again, it's a business relationship, so there shouldn't be any lasting hard feelings about severing it. There is no contract that says you have to use this realtor for every transaction, forever.

I have a slightly different perspective, though. A realtor for me is more like an administrative assistant. I do my own MLS searches and put together my own market data. I make the realtor do it too, but I don't blindly trust pricing strategy or market conditions as understood by the realtor. They do the job of making inquiries, being a buffer to other realtors, and handling and tracking paperwork.

[97guns]

some realtors only want to list homes and not sell them, this may be the case of your realtor

use a different realtor for buying if you need to

[MonkeyMama]

Business is business. There shouldn't be any hurt feelings. Being a business professional, I find my clients worry about it 1000 times more than we do when they fire us. (In this case, he might be relieved because he rather sell? But is not good business to turn down business - that kind of thing).

I'd probably try out the new buying realtor and go from there. Maybe ask around and ask for other recommendations, until you find the best fit for you. When buying a home, I want the realtor with the inside scoop. Our buying realtor was excellent, and steered us away from developments with known problems.

[snafu]

EEinNJ; Please don't think of money spent on home inspection as 'wasted.' It would have been much more expensive to buy a house with problems to be fixed. Are you and DGF buying as 'tenants in common' or shareholders each contributing the same amounts for DP, closing costs, mortgage payments and operating expenses ? There needs to be a contract between you should circumstances change.

You are not obligated to the agent who sold your home. Try a self employed realtor if you like. The interesting thing about housing is that the final price is what the seller and buyer both think is acceptable. You can offer any sum you like, the owner is free to reject your offer. Some sellers price very low in hopes of creating a bidding war. They want buyers to feel so emotional about a property that they'll pay any price to 'win.'

[bjl584]

I switched realtors when I sold my last house. No hard feelings. It was just business. The first realtor wasn't very aggressive or knowledgeable in my opinion. So I switched. I sold my house a few months later with the second realtor.

[EEinNJ]

Interesting that several commented, not on the realtor issue, but the relationship side. Having been around the block a couple of times before, that part I'm clear on.

Certainly spending money on inspections to avoid expensive problems is not money wasted- but savvy, informed advise could have precluded getting into a deal that wasn't going to work. Lesson learned, and we decided to "break up" with this agent.

[bigdaddybus]

I have bought an sold several times over the last 20 year and I have consistantly used the same reality company but seldom use the same realtor. I look for a realtor that I feel is at the top of their game.

My last realtor (2 yrs ago) was a minority woman that worked 20 hour days trying to sell, sell, sell. She was a workhorse that knew her stuff, had open houses every weekend, and refused to let me lower the asking price of our home so I could get into the house we wanted sooner(we had an accepted contingent offer on a home my wife loved). She had me offer a bonuse to buying agents instead. Cost me less overall and got us more traffic and a sale.

Her agressive sales techniques worked and we got the move completed between school years as my wife wanted. All for less than the going percentage of realtors.

Going with a realtor out of obligation is a recipie to loose money IMO

[JustBill]

Later, we talked to another local agent who has started her own agency, and seems very proactive and knowledgeable (and GF knows & likes her). She knew about the house we tried to buy because the seller had interviewed her to list it, and told us what she thought the house needed & was worth. I was left wishing I'd talked to her first, before I offered too much, then wasted money on inspections.

Two things stand out to me in this statement. First, it truly is a matter of coincidence this agent had previous knowledge of the property - and frankly after the fact, she can present any story about the interaction. Second, that seller saw something they didn't prefer in that particular agent, hence her being on the sidelines for the marketing of that property.

Notwithstanding your GF's relationship with the "new" agent, relationships do matter in all communities, so your concerns are valid. Going forward if you remain with the agent of 20 years, communicate this story to him, express your thoughts surrounding the failed purchase, and layout your expectations for the upcoming transaction.

[jIM_Ohio]

Specialties.

I know realtors which only prefer to sell homes
I know realtors that only work with buyers
I know realtors that will chase a paycheck. Know the specialties of the professionals you deal with.

For example, the same license allows someone to sell life insurance, health insurance, medicare supplements and long term care. When it comes to long term care, I would highly recommend you deal with someone which only sells that product line, same with medicare supplements (although most I know also dabble in some form of health insurance).