How do you find out sold prices?

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

So, basically, to bring this thread to a close, what one needs to do to find out comps for a local area is by asking a realtor that specializes in that area? Or, can it be any realtor in the state?

Lastly, is it rude to ask a realtor this info and then don't do anything further? Does it take a long time for him/her to look this info up?

Nick, realtors are in the business of servicing clients for a fee. It is how they make their living. Realtors provide a lot of information for free hoping to gain that persons business.

If one has no intention of doing business with a Realtor, then why would you want to take up their time do look up information for them. It could take them 5 or 10 minutes to look up sold comps that match your criteria. That doesn't seem like much time, but multiply by 100 people who may call and ask for various types of free information.

Add to that the people who get a Realtor to drive them around to look at areas and homes, and all the time they plan on using their Aunt Jane who just got her license.

Then you can begin to get the picture.

Would you call an attorney and ask them to take 10 minutes to provide you with free information? Would the attorney do it for you?

So consider all that I've mentioned, and then you decide if it's rude to take up their time and not plan on using them.

On the other hand, if you call and are up front, stating that you don't plan to use their services, but you want some information from him/her, that is a different story; and you're likely to get some different responses from each.

[Roma]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

Lastly, is it rude to ask a realtor this info and then don't do anything further? Does it take a long time for him/her to look this info up?

It's not rude to ask a realtor for info. It is what they do. It's part of their job. You might become their client and that is how they get paid. It's all figured in. Some of their sales are going to be easy and some are going to be harder but it's factored in already (like any sales job is). If a realtor doesn't respond to you and help you then go and contact another. Like any profession, there are good ones and bad ones. Some may go out of there way to help you while others may not even return your call. If someone doesn't respond, then find someone who will. You will be very happy you did. I have had some extremely helpful realtors.