Oak Park Realtors (who is the best, go to in this community)

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by JJski

P.S. totally agreed good stuff goes quick, and in many cases deal is done before it is even listed.

I always feel that this is a disservice to the seller by their agent. I understand that many agents have "pocket listings", but they should still open it up to the MLS and get the best offer. Especially when things are going this fast.

For us, the sellers' agent had two offers before the house even hit the MLS. She told the sellers to clean their house once, stay in a hotel downtown for a few days, and that she would have the place sold by the end of the weekend. We saw the place 24 hours after it was listed, and put an offer in that day. There were six offers by the next day. The agent whittled it down to the best three, and one dropped out. Then we just had to convince the sellers that we were less of a risk than the other buyers, and we even had them talk to our lender.

This was our fourth bidding war situation this Spring. We walked away from the first two, but then decided to get more aggressive after we realized this was the norm this year and we weren't going to buy a house unless we "played ball". I wasn't what we expected to face after years of a down market, but I think we still paid a fair price.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by JJski

Kidd, technically/technology minded is a critical element for my agent... Email, text, and real-time photo/video sharing (maybe a live faceTime walk thru) is VERY important as we are out of town handling many tasks remote.

I am upfront with my expectations. ~ right now just trying to find the office then i zoom in on best agent...

P.S. totally agreed good stuff goes quick, and in many cases deal is done before it is even listed.

Once upon a time there were some real estate firms that touted their technically savvy advantages. Overtime the success of those firms has seen a broader range of agents attracted to them, some of whom have no particular facility with technology whatsoever. Conversely there are some offices that may have once been considered technologically behind the times that have had some more tech savvy folks hang their shingle under what may still be essentially a mom & pop operation but the recent affiiations may realize the utility of having great personal technology / fast connections from their own home to better meet client needs / maximize their own use of time...

Here's a tip: Send a simple email to at least three agent in at least a couple of different offices. Be direct but brief "I have been viewing homes online. I will be starting a new job in Chicago on XX/XX/2013. I have X childen , would prefer X bedrooms. My budget is $xxx,xxx. I will need assitance from a dedicated buyer's agent. Please contact me with your qualifications and suggestions ASAP." Include a a number that you specifically say is a cell phone. Once they contact you (and they will) don't answer the phone via voice. Let go to voicemail. Text 'em back. See what happens next...

[chet everett]

The scenario that LK describes is undoubtedly 100% true for what was happening as recently as a few weeks ago -- the combination of pent-up demand and extremely attractive intrest rates coupled with constrainted inventory led to an unusually hectic spring for many real estate markets.

I have alread seen a few deals that were scheduled to close hit snags as interest rates rise and buyers get cold feet over routine inspection items...

There are some real estate agents that are extremely efficient at getting listings into MLS in a timely manner and others that move at a more deliberate pace. Either can get an excellent price for the selling clients, depending on how effective they are at keeping potential buyers aware of offerings... Not everyone uses the interwebs as efficiently as those of us that spend considerable time on-line.

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

I always feel that this is a disservice to the seller by their agent. I understand that many agents have "pocket listings", but they should still open it up to the MLS and get the best offer. Especially when things are going this fast.

For us, the sellers' agent had two offers before the house even hit the MLS. She told the sellers to clean their house once, stay in a hotel downtown for a few days, and that she would have the place sold by the end of the weekend. We saw the place 24 hours after it was listed, and put an offer in that day. There were six offers by the next day. The agent whittled it down to the best three, and one dropped out. Then we just had to convince the sellers that we were less of a risk than the other buyers, and we even had them talk to our lender.

This was our fourth bidding war situation this Spring. We walked away from the first two, but then decided to get more aggressive after we realized this was the norm this year and we weren't going to buy a house unless we "played ball". I wasn't what we expected to face after years of a down market, but I think we still paid a fair price.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by chet everett

I have alread seen a few deals that were scheduled to close hit snags as interest rates rise and buyers get cold feet over routine inspection items...

People making hasty decisions will be more likely to feel "buyer's remorse", especially when they end up paying more than they wanted to. That's the one downside for the sellers in this low inventory situation.

[sfcambridge]

So, no recommendations so far?

I have also been curious for a rec, and haven't been able to get one so far.

[chet everett]

I believe TOS require such suggestions be made via PM...