Using a realtor to buy a new home

[cfIfan]

It is unfair to blame realtors for buyers purchasing in the boom years. They purchased because they were in the market for a home at that time. Whilst i agree there were many dodgy mortgage brokers, if a buyer cant afford a home they should rent not buy because they were essentially living beyond their means. If they were buying to flip, then quite frankly it serves them right. RE is a long term investment. Dont Blame realtors for market conditions changing. If you think we can predict exactly to the date what the maket will do then i guess i can predict next weeks lotto numbers.

We work for the buyers interest. A high percentage of our clients are through referrals so it stands to reason if we dont do a good job our referals will dry up. Its common sense really.

It seems to me you should be complaining about the system not the realtors. There are realtors in every state and every country. What you are basically saying that this profession is not needed. If thats how you feel that is fine, we are all entitled to our own opinion.

If you dont like commissions even though as a buyer you dont pay them dont blame us, blame the system. We have commissions because we take a high proportion of risk that you dont buy something or are not able to sell your property. But you cant have it both ways. When i set out my commissions to sellers on listing presentations and they complain i tell them, i am happy to work for a set fee. But it has to be paid up front regardless of whether you home sells or not. When they realize this they would rather pay the commission so you cannot have it both ways.

In terms of the HOA issue, well most realtors i know do present info about this and i also research HOA's to see who are in good standing. But that is just part of life if you choose to buy in a subdivision governed by an HOA. If you dont like it go and buy a piece of land and build on it. It really does seem that you are trying to blame everything and anything on realtors.

In terms of what i believe run with scissors wrote. Had you read carefully you will have noted that i said i had trained in the UK where i am from originally. Yes i took a 72hr class here but i have a wealth of experience from my profession back in the UK which has higher regulation and requires more than the profession here. That experience and training i put to my clients good use and they appreciate that.

Whilst i am not a licensed attorney here in the US i am in the UK and that experience is invaluable to my clients. Of course if they want an attorney as well i would recommend they go to one and pay them, but Realtors offer more than just drawing up contracts. You may want to consider that your legal system is based upon the UK system and as someone who has studied American Law in the UK as well you may wish to consider that. GregTraub is right. You are argueing for the sake of it now. I stated that i can offer advice and opinions based on my own training here and in the UK and experience. That wealth of experience can only help a buyer or seller

However, we are all entitled to our own opinion and i will leave this thread on this note

[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by cfIfan

It is unfair to blame realtors for buyers purchasing in the boom years. They purchased because they were in the market for a home at that time. Whilst i agree there were many dodgy mortgage brokers, if a buyer cant afford a home they should rent not buy because they were essentially living beyond their means. If they were buying to flip, then quite frankly it serves them right. RE is a long term investment. Dont Blame realtors for market conditions changing. If you think we can predict exactly to the date what the maket will do then i guess i can predict next weeks lotto numbers.

We work for the buyers interest. A high percentage of our clients are through referrals so it stands to reason if we dont do a good job our referals will dry up. Its common sense really.

It seems to me you should be complaining about the system not the realtors. There are realtors in every state and every country. What you are basically saying that this profession is not needed. If thats how you feel that is fine, we are all entitled to our own opinion.

If you dont like commissions even though as a buyer you dont pay them dont blame us, blame the system. We have commissions because we take a high proportion of risk that you dont buy something or are not able to sell your property. But you cant have it both ways. When i set out my commissions to sellers on listing presentations and they complain i tell them, i am happy to work for a set fee. But it has to be paid up front regardless of whether you home sells or not. When they realize this they would rather pay the commission so you cannot have it both ways.

In terms of the HOA issue, well most realtors i know do present info about this and i also research HOA's who are in good standing. But that is just part of life if you choose to buy in a subdivision governed by an HOA. If you dont like it go and buy a piece of land and build on it. It really does seem that you are trying to blame everything and anything on realtors.

In terms of what i believe run with scissors wrote. Had you read carefully you will have noted that i said i had trained in the UK where i am from originally. Yes i took a 72hr class here but i have a wealth of experience from my profession back in the UK which has higher regulation and requires more than the profession here. That experience and training i put to my clients good use and they appreciate that.

Whilst i am not a licensed attorney here in the US i am in the UK and that experience is invaluable to my clients. Of course if they want an attorney as well i would recommend they go to one and pay them, but Realtors offer more than just drawing up contracts. You may want to consider that your legal system is based upon the UK system and as someone who has studied American Law in the UK as well you may wish to consider that. GregTraub is right. You are argueing for the sake of it now. I stated that i can offer advice and opinions based on my own training here and in the UK and experience. That wealth of experience can only help a buyer or seller

However, we are all entitled to our own opinion and i will leave this thread on this note

I AM complaining about the system, you are correct. The system of using a realtor (especially in lieu of an attorney) in legal transactions with a builder on a new home.

"But that is just part of life if you choose to buy in a subdivision governed by an HOA."

Exactly my point, caveat emptor and an important part of the decision making process, knowing your LEGAL RIGHTS. Not opinion of what "might" happen to the HOA. You can only make an informed decision when you know your LEGAL rights and if the realtor is not licensed to practice law, then you find someone who is. A real estate attorney.

You don't go to a dermatologist for cardiac surgery and you dont go to an cosmetologist when you need a dermatologist.

I don't know where you interpreted that to mean I don't believe realtors are not needed. But you're right, not in the roles that you guys talk about especially the "closing table". It has nothing to do with commissions, a mere pittance relative to spending forever in a losing proposition.

GregTraub, my op was short and sweet , get a lawyer, until some promises were made that go against my sensibilities. You have no standing with the court, nor do you have a license that allows you to give legal advise on the Fl rules of law, and recourse. Therefore, we get someone who does.

The poster child is not alone, it's happened to me and several other consumers have had similar if not worse delivery experiences i.e (again) living in a shut down development with no recourse. I almost fell out of my car yesterday when I saw that right here in Vero and I didnt have to look far, 5 minutes away from the Indian River Mall.

I would never consider buying a new home now from a builder in Florida (or anywhere) from a plan especially without ground being broken but if people do, they MIGHT want to know what the LAW says about recourse .

And of course my loan rate was fixed well before the closing table. When wouldn't it be?? I mean it's not like I walked in ready to play Deal or No Deal LOL Lawyers are also there to help prevent procedural and clerical errors, (which this was) even though they are not famous for their attention to detail

[Keeper]

OK.. I think the OP gets the point.

Now if anyone else has an opinion??

[cmj_fla]

One last thing to consider: A Realtor would cost nothing for the buyer but a lawyer may be a lot more than the OP would want to spend especially if they are trying to save a few bucks by not even using a realtor.

[Keeper]

No more discussions regarding the lawyer vs realtor when buying or selling. Take it to the Real Estate forum. You all have made your point of the good, the bad, the ugly.

[xgemaxmwahx]

You dont pay the fee for a realtor, the person whose home you are buying/company pays the realtor. The realtor can advise you and help make it less stressful