Hypothetical: Like a FSBO, but working with an agent? (for sale by owner, broker)

[efie30]

We are working with an agent to find a house. There are several homes For Sale By Owner in the area we are interested in, but I feel guilty for wanting to look at these properties since my agent (and his/her commission) may not be a welcome part of the sale. What do I do?

I don't want to shaft my agent who is doing a good job for us, but dang, I really want to live in this area and the homes for sale via MLS aren't quite what we are looking for.

[south.charlotte&union]

Most of the time the sellers are willing to pay the buyer side of the commission. Talk to your agent about it. Ask your agent to call on your behalf and ask if the sellers are willing to pay the buyer side.

I talk to all of my clients about FSBO's...and ask that they let me call first. If the seller is not willing to pay the commission I tell my client to go ahead, but unless they (the buyer) will pay the commission I would be unable to represent them.

I'd rather be upfront about it -- sure, I might lose a sale but in the end the buyer should be in the house they want. Know, though that there can be risks when you go in without an agent.

[CouponJack]

Originally Posted by efie30

We are working with an agent to find a house. There are several homes For Sale By Owner in the area we are interested in, but I feel guilty for wanting to look at these properties since my agent (and his/her commission) may not be a welcome part of the sale. What do I do?

I don't want to shaft my agent who is doing a good job for us, but dang, I really want to live in this area and the homes for sale via MLS aren't quite what we are looking for.

Realtors on here swear all the time that they want what's best for their client, so there shouldn't be any problem.

[pink caddy]

Originally Posted by south.charlotte&union

Most of the time the sellers are willing to pay the buyer side of the commission. Talk to your agent about it. Ask your agent to call on your behalf and ask if the sellers are willing to pay the buyer side.

And if the seller won't pay it it might be worthwhile if you pay it. Depends on your skills in buying a house and what your agent can offer. Maybe, you can negotiate a lower commission with your agent (2%?) if you find a house you like( FSBO) and your agent does the work.

Note: I am not a broker :>

[joanchris2000]

I currently have a FSBO (not around here) and have on my sign and the online posting that "buyer's agents welcome". Many owners will pay a buyers agent since they just want to sell the house, but maybe they don't have enough margin to pay a seller's agent AND a buyer's agent and stay competitive on price (my case). If they're not willing to work with an agent at all, I'd still go ahead and look at the home, but it it went to an offer I would be extra careful with appraisals, inspections and contracts to be sure they're not trying to hide anything that a realtor would catch.

[baybook]

I would ask. If they were unwilling, I would probably be very unwilling to move forward with that seller. I've bought/sold 4 houses in my lifetime. Hopefully, my agent has a lot more under their belt than I do. ;-) If the seller is unwilling to compensate my agent for their work, it just isn't the situation for me. There are TOO many houses out there for me to purchase.

[pink caddy]

^ I'm on the same page as this one. Besides, that person that is not going to negotiate away any big bux.