Realtor credit

[unit731]

Originally Posted by Zippyman

If you really want to save some money and learn a few things as well, you can get your own agent's license by jumping through a few hoops. The requirements are a bit of a hassle - 96? hours of class, a state test, fingerprinting, etc, but it is possible to "sell yourself" a house and get a check for the buyer's agent commission yourself.

I went that route myself, not so much to save money, but so I would have access to listings as soon as they posted, and the ability to tour as many homes as I wanted to without having to beg for an agent's time. I was later able to negotiate deals for my family members & rebate most of my commissions to them, less expenses.

FWIW, on many short-sales, the seller's bank won't allow an agent to collect a commission if they're the one buying the house - however it's often still worth it to have a license, just because it makes it much easier & more convenient to find deals, and having unrestricted / unfiltered MLS data available makes it easier to write offers and know your offer is based on truly comparable properties.

This is the best way.

I also took the Real Estate license course. I did not obtain the license as above - but above is the best way.

I just wanted to learn how things are done and what pitfalls one can run against. And this is information that is with you for a lifetime.

The last two homes that I owned and lived in I sold myself without any broker/salesperson. Both were listed with a RE agent. But in my contract I put the clause in to have ability to sell myself. The RE agents did work hard to sell my homes but I worked harder and got it done and one was in a real bad market/time. None of the RE agents wanted that clause in contract. But it is legal in the two states that I accomplished this. No commission paid.

It is a good idea to know the rules know the laws and to learn some of the tricks that a good agent uses.

[oldtrader]

Unless the agent is both the listing and selling agent, there is not enough commission involved on a $100,000 home sale to make it worth while selling a home and giving up part of the commission. They are so desperate for money they will do anything to get a sale, even if they end up with almost no commission. Agents that are that desperate for a sale, that they give away part of their commission are not the better ones in town. The good ones, are going to be out there listing and selling and earning a living. The desperate ones are usually on their way out of the business, and just don't know it yet.