Realtor question - buying and selling in different areas (Houston: selling a home, safe neighborhood)

[sxrckr]

If we are selling a home in the Sugar Land area, but want to buy in West Memorial or West Houston, would we use two different realtors?

What we probably will do is look in both Sugar Land and W Memorial for a new home. But I need someone who really knows Sugar Land to sell my home (so as to know how to market it) and help me look elsewhere in Sugar Land --- and someone else who is an expert in W Memorial to help me look at homes over there (especially because I'm not as familiar with the area and need lots of help, also want to know about new listings immediately or maybe even before they come on market).

Could I use two different realtors? If not, what should I do? Use the Memorial area realtor to sell my Sugar Land area home?

[SkyeAnjel]

I would suggest using 2 different realtors. One for selling your home and the other to buy in the area of your new home. This is common and not a big deal.
Good Luck with selling and buying!

[EasilyAmused]

Yes, I agree. Get a specialist for each area. For West Memorial you need to have an agent with one of the local agencies (ie Greenwood King, Martha Turner, John Daughterty, Heritage). These companies often sell listing before they hit the MLS. I think they call it a pre-show.

Good Luck.

[GinaMomof4]

I sent you a private message

[diggity101]

Yes, I agree. Get a specialist for each area. For West Memorial you need to have an agent with one of the local agencies (ie Greenwood King, Martha Turner, John Daughterty, Heritage). These companies often sell listing before they hit the MLS. I think they call it a pre-show.

is this a joke?

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by diggity101

is this a joke?

A joke? No.
It's not uncommon for local agents to know about properties that're about to be put on the MLS, and they'll show them before they hit the list. This is very common in the areas I have lived. I've even sold one this way. An "in-house, pre-market showing."
Sometimes you'll even see them pop on the "new listing," on HAR.COM, as already Option Pending when they first get put on.
It's just finding a home, in a specific price range, in a really good school district, in a safe neighborhood, in Houston, is EXTREMELY competitive.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

It's not uncommon for local agents to know about properties that're about to be put on the MLS, and they'll show them before they hit the list. This is very common in the areas I have lived. I've even sold one this way. An "in-house, pre-market showing."

It was definitely like this in desirable parts of Seattle. Supply became so tight that you had to know someone and if you lived in the right areas, people would knock on your door asking to be put on a list in case you ever decided to sell your house.

It wasn't much fun to be a buyer under those circumstances but it was totally awesome to be a seller. If your house did make it to the MLS, you could sit back and wait for the bidding war to start a few hours after the house hit the market.

Things have cooled off in many Seattle areas but there are still neighborhoods where networking is key or you will never be able to buy a house there.

[diggity101]

For West Memorial

the only West Memorial I am familiar with doesn't move very quickly at all and the boutique firms don't generally list out there.

Are we talking about the west side of the memorial area?

[EasilyAmused]

yes, the western side of Memorial. Plenty of Greenwood King, Heritage, DAughtery and Turner. In fact I never see National firm signs.

[diggity101]

sorry, i thought the OP was referring to a neighborhood called "West Memorial" out in the Katy area.