How many realtors does it take... (Tampa, Sarasota: sale, real estate, renter)

[SunshineandBlueSkies]

Before I find the right one? Seriously?

Took me about 4 for me, and I thank heavens I found the right one I found in Sarasota. OMG this lady impressed me like no tomorrow. Took time for my little sale under 100,000. Unfortunately mom got sick, and I now have to look in Tampa or ST. Pete.

Hmmm, the first realtor I found talked about her private plane. Then tells me she will be gone for a month after the fact I take my time to tell her everything I need and look for homes....

Next one could not do basic math, and did not understand what my DTI ratio meant and how I needed to factor this in to qualify.

Oh lets not forget the one who takes her kid with her, and he starts drawing on the driveway with chalk on the home I'm thinking of buying. What???

Not only is it frustrating to find the right home, I now am succumbed to finding the right realtor all over again....

Do we not hire realtors to find us the right home, isnt that what they are specialists in?

It's like I'm the one whi has to do the interview process. Nevermind, if I qualify, what is your credentials?

Sorry, I had to vent...but seriously. If you do not have the time or do not want to work hard for the sale, you should not be in the business.

Anyone wants the good one I found in Sarasota, IM me, I swear you will be sending me fruitcake when it's christmas time. Anyone else had a good experience? Please send me their names. Im really easy to deal with

[bentlebee]

I own a brokerage and property management company and feel your frustration since we are dealing day in and out with agents on the other side who are not replying to calls, emails and usually only interested in the commission...BUT there are good agents out there, believe me and they work hard and get deals done.

On the other hand there are clients who are impossible to work with...it works both ways but you are right.

I actually started to step into the business after being totally frustrated with all the agents had listed my properties.....so I know what you are feeling but than from the other side....agents who only returned calls before they listed your property and the first week thereafter...than it was voice mail, and no replies...

[Pragmaticus]

I can understand the first one. If I were a realtor, I would do the same--that is after listening you, won't take it and would tell you why. Somebody who has a private plane has no business of doing a 100K house sale. Do you know how much money in that? may be 1500. So that's a peanut after probably showing you 100s house and hours, which many do. Nothing wrong with that. Everybody should take their time but I am saying the business. The money probably won't cover their high end car mileage . Just business nothing personal.

What you should be looking at those that deal with your price range. Even though I am surprised that realtor have no idea about the DTI ratio, in realty that is not their job. You tell them what you can afford and they find you a house for that. Many people complain that realtor push them to buy more than they can afford (which is true for some) and that is when they understand your finances. You should keep your business separate. Do you house hunting with realtor but keep your finances with a broker. Mixing those two is a bad idea.

[SunshineandBlueSkies]

Originally Posted by MeInDenudinFL

I can understand the first one. If I were a realtor, I would do the same--that is after listening you, won't take it and would tell you why. Somebody who has a private plane has no business of doing a 100K house sale. Do you know how much money in that? may be 1500. So that's a peanut after probably showing you 100s house and hours, which many do. Nothing wrong with that. Everybody should take their time but I am saying the business. The money probably won't cover their high end car mileage . Just business nothing personal.

What you should be looking at those that deal with your price range. Even though I am surprised that realtor have no idea about the DTI ratio, in realty that is not their job. You tell them what you can afford and they find you a house for that. Many people complain that realtor push them to buy more than they can afford (which is true for some) and that is when they understand your finances. You should keep your business separate. Do you house hunting with realtor but keep your finances with a broker. Mixing those two is a bad idea.

The realtor should never take on the task then when I tell them my price range right off the bat, I also drive myself around, probably spent $600 already in gas myself.
The person who understands my DTI knows not to throw in a house that has an old roof and an HOA that will take me out of the ballpark. not to mention high dollar insurance, it is a numbers game. (Well for the little buyer stretching every penny at least) Would I seriously want someone who doesn't understand this concept. No.
oh yeah Realtor # 4 kept sending me listings way above my price range. I wish him luck in the business for not listening to his customers. I asked him to please modify, he didn't, I moved on.
You are right about keeping my business separate, I can go higher maybe, but I don't want to waste everyone's time, i'd rather be conservative.
Bottom line, I did find the perfect Realtor, and I am not settling for anything less. Just get's frustrating. I understand the realtors side to, as I worked on commission for years. Some people are clueless in that area. I know. Thanks

[lilacmama]

I have yet to find a realtor I like in FL. I do not understand why so many rental houses have to go through a realtor when they could care less to show it to you.

[SnowBirdMom]

Originally Posted by lilacmama

I have yet to find a realtor I like in FL. I do not understand why so many rental houses have to go through a realtor when they could care less to show it to you.

It's business. It makes sense to me. If you get a bad renter in there who goes three months without paying when all is said and done with the eviction process, plus potential damages..you've taken a loss on a place where you expected to take a profit.

As far as the realtors, not right, wrong, or indifferent in terms of my judgement...if you're renting someone a space you maybe make a month or a half a month as commission...versus your buyer where you will make usually several grand....for essentially the same amount of work in the end.

Certainly frustrating, but it's just reality!

[gmanbat]

My realtor was an angel. She spent many days showing us rentals. I paid a year in advance, my choice. We acquired a wonderful home. She has become a friend and is still following up.

Some people put their heart into their work. Moderator cut: recommendations for Realtors are not allowed

[FloridaKash]

I was lucky. I found my Realtor here on CD. I got super lucky because she was knowledgeable and responsive. If I found a house in the morning that I wanted to look at that evening on my way home I would shoot her an email of the place and she would set everything up, typically same day if the seller complied. On Friday I would send her a list of multiple properties I wanted to look at over the weekend. She would contact all of them and set them up back to back to be viewed, if possible. She was always 5 - 10 minutes early and never ever rushed us along.

My definition of a good Real Estate agent (in order).

1. Responsive (responds to inquiries or schedules viewings quickly)
2. Communication (uses email, text and phone)
3. Punctual
4. Professional
5. Knowledgeable

[SunshineandBlueSkies]

We rented our other home to one guy....nice on paper had a great job ect. 2 months later, he decided to stop paying. After about 500 in court costs and 4 months of lost rent., we won the lawsuit. (small claims) We never seen a dime. I will not rent out a place w/ a lease. Florida law states if they are on a month to month, I can throw the non payer out in 5 days w/ a court order. I believe me, after what I went through, I will. In fact, my good friend (who is a millionaire) just bought 5 rental properties. He got screwed w/ first renter. He nows rents month to month only, as advised by his financial advisor. I said to him, hey..you should have asked me. I could have told you that. Small claims court is the biggest joke there is when it comes to landlord laws I cant get blood out a stone, but I can save myself the hassle of not waiting for the court system for 4-6 months. some may say different, but for me fool me once that's it.

[gulfer]

I like this thread and hope that it keeps going.

What I looked for in my Realtor when I bought over here was would he be available when I needed him. Would he get the information I needed to make that decision. And he did.

I found mine on Craiglist after talking with a few others.

My first Real Estate Agent over here wanted us to by this house really bad. We told her it was not what we were looking for. She said and I quote "Well, you can sell it in five years and get exactly what you want"!! Can you believe that. My wife called her a couple of days later to tell her we won't be using her service anymore and she had move to North Carolina. I guess we were going to be her last Sale. LOL

I personally think that if you don't get what you want in the Realtor or Real Estate Agent you have, get another one!

FloridaKash - I like how you listed out what is important to you. Very nice!