Real Estate Agents are so frustrating!!!

[PeggyHefferon]

Just did a quick search on whether agents can even do home inspections. I have yet to find anything as to whether it is even possible.

What I did find was several articles telling you to NOT even use an inspector recommended by the agent.

Found a similar question asked and answered on Yahoo, and most of the responses was that it was possible but it would be a conflict of interest to do so on the same transaction.

Singuy & GoodSteward, I am interested how you two even came up with this? Have you ever actually known anyone that does both?

[GoodSteward]

Singuy & GoodSteward, I am interested how you two even came up with this? Have you ever actually known anyone that does both?

I have a credible source that you can reference. It's a movie called "Are we done yet?" In that movie, the real estate agent is also the local inspector, electrician, and contractor.

For me, it was just a thought, but I hadn't heard of it being done personally(outside of the movie lol). It makes sense to be a conflict of interest because the inspection is for the buyer, but the agent works for the seller.

[AJ444]

1) Zillow is very user friendly from a buyer's perspective. I am able to zoom in and out of a map and find all of the current listings. I have used other websites and their search features are not as friendly.

2) I am caring for a sick parent and I don't have time to play phone tag or 20 questions with a real estate agent. The information I requested only required a simple and quick response. That information would have either accelerated my interest or eliminated it quickly. Information that she should have had at her fingertips and ready and WILLING to share.

3) It is rude attitudes like yours, that far too many agents have, that frustrate both buyers and sellers. Refusing to provide information to an interested party is playing games!

I fully intend to print the e-mail exchange, which is still lacking an answer, and mail it to the homeowner. I am sure they would like to know that their real estate agent is not following up on all inquiries.

With cars or real estate when I get the "call me direct" in response to a question I take my business elsewhere. I even put that in my initial request and some still come back with it.

[disneysteve]

not sure which is worse:

1) using zillow for real estate

2) emailing an agent and not calling them directly

What's wrong with emailing an agent? That is most people's preferred method of contact today. I would far rather handle a simple question by email than by phone. Especially for someone like a real estate agent who is frequently on the go, not just sitting at a desk all day, I would think that being able to respond to messages at their convenience when they have a free moment is far more efficient than playing phone tag.

If the question leads to a more involved conversation, then a call could happen (or in person meeting).

[Jluke]

What I did find was several articles telling you to NOT even use an inspector recommended by the agent.

when I bought my house the seller's agent recommended a few inspectors. I got the list and steered clear of those for my inspection.

[Singuy]

Just did a quick search on whether agents can even do home inspections. I have yet to find anything as to whether it is even possible.

What I did find was several articles telling you to NOT even use an inspector recommended by the agent.

Found a similar question asked and answered on Yahoo, and most of the responses was that it was possible but it would be a conflict of interest to do so on the same transaction.

Singuy & GoodSteward, I am interested how you two even came up with this? Have you ever actually known anyone that does both?

No I don't know and I don't think there are realtors who does both. My point is to give realtors more responsibilities than just someone who opens the door for you. I wish they can be a certified home inspector AND an appraiser. This at least to me is worth the commission they take.

Imagine if a realtor is a one stop shop that can provide you with usually a fee per service item but is now part of their commission. Their performance will be judged by a rating system in which those looking to make a buck will end up in the dust..while those who provides the most accurate service ends up with too many clients to count...vs today in which after you delist a house..you'll get 100 phone calls a day from realtors wanting to be the one to relist your house.

[greenskeeper]

What's wrong with emailing an agent?

The OP emailed and didn't get a response. If it was that much of an important question to them they should have made a phone call.

[disneysteve]

The OP emailed and didn't get a response.

Read the OP again. She DID get a response. It said to call. That showed that the agent was unwilling to answer a simple question by email, which probably would have taken no longer than sending the email that was sent saying to call.

That's not someone I'd want to do business with either. I'd be concerned that if I did start working with that person, they'd expect me to call them every time I had a question.

[PeggyHefferon]

No I don't know and I don't think there are realtors who does both. My point is to give realtors more responsibilities than just someone who opens the door for you. I wish they can be a certified home inspector AND an appraiser. This at least to me is worth the commission they take.

Imagine if a realtor is a one stop shop that can provide you with usually a fee per service item but is now part of their commission. Their performance will be judged by a rating system in which those looking to make a buck will end up in the dust..while those who provides the most accurate service ends up with too many clients to count...vs today in which after you delist a house..you'll get 100 phone calls a day from realtors wanting to be the one to relist your house.

The thing is you want to combine services that are traditionally paid by opposite sides of the table. The seller pays typically pays the commission for the sale of their property. The buyer typically pays for the appraisal and home inspection.

Although many voice their unhappiness with real estate agents, most still go with a traditional commission based broker when listing their home. There are fee based brokers out there, but they are looked down upon by their peers (because they undercut the 6 to 7%) and homeowners who wrongfully believe they aren't qualified enough to sell their home. The whole "you get what you pay for" thing, despite the fact fee based brokers hold the same credentials as those that charge the high commissions.

[greenskeeper]

Read the OP again. She DID get a response. It said to call. That showed that the agent was unwilling to answer a simple question by email, which probably would have taken no longer than sending the email that was sent saying to call.

That's not someone I'd want to do business with either. I'd be concerned that if I did start working with that person, they'd expect me to call them every time I had a question.

I guess I'm "old school" in regards to human communication, which is dying by the minute and this latest generation can't hold a conversation but would rather stare at i-phone screens for hours on end.

[PeggyHefferon]

I guess I'm "old school" in regards to human communication, which is dying by the minute and this latest generation can't hold a conversation but would rather stare at i-phone screens for hours on end.

There was no doubt in my mind that you knew what was stated in the Original Post. By old school do you mean rude and judgmental?

I am not a 20 something walking around with my face in my phone. I am a mature adult that understands that there is value in various forms of communication.

With that in mind

[disneysteve]

I guess I'm "old school" in regards to human communication, which is dying by the minute and this latest generation can't hold a conversation but would rather stare at i-phone screens for hours on end.

Which generation would that be? The Baby Boomers? I'm a Boomer and find it much more convenient and efficient to handle simple stuff via email. Maybe you mean the elderly. My 86-year-old mother will email me when she has a quick question or just needs to tell me something simple. She knows I'm busy at work all day and can't just stop and chat on the phone and she doesn't want to disturb me when I am home at night. Or my 91-year-old uncle in Florida. We communicate far more via Facebook messaging than we ever did by phone.

There are things that need to be done by phone or in person but most things can be handled far quicker and more efficiently through electronic means like email and texting. A busy professional like a real estate agent should appreciate that.

[greenskeeper]

Nice...I appreciate that....although you're not "quite" an adult just yet...maybe in a few more years

[greenskeeper]

Which generation would that be?

Take a guess. Not hard to figure out.

[PeggyHefferon]

Nice...I appreciate that....although you're not "quite" an adult just yet...maybe in a few more years

Guess you define adult as someone collecting Social Security. You're right, not quite there yet.