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We’ve bought and sold very few houses in uur lives so I’m not familiar with what to expect or obligations to a realtor who is looking for houses for us, or rather has set up parameters and sends me listings in the area I’m interested in. He responded to an inquery I had on a house and we talked on the phone. In the meantime our mortgage company had a realtor contact me and she is sending me stuff, though not as regularly or as interested as the first person. In the meantime I’ve had a recommendation of another realtor who specializes in the 55+ communities I’m looking at and really knows one of them well. I’ve not contacted her yet but wonder if I should. We have not signed anything with any of these people so I don’t know if I’m under any “commitment “ or not. What is the general protocol in a situation like this?
You aren't really obligated yet, it's fine for you to have made multiple contacts at this point, but it would be good of you to choose one of them to work with and let them all know - before having them do a lot of research or driving for you.
You aren't really obligated yet, it's fine for you to have made multiple contacts at this point, but it would be good of you to choose one of them to work with and let them all know - before having them do a lot of research or driving for you.
Agree completely. The OP is not under any legal obligation at this point, but it's not fair to all the realtors to have each of them essentially duplicating the work of the others when only one of them (at most) is likely to receive any compensation for their efforts. Realtors are not a free public service although many people tend to use them as such.
I suggest two things. First, learn how to search the various data bases with your own criteria to screen for houses you may be interested in. Second, pick ONE of the realtors and stick with him/her for things that you can't do or find on your own. Try to do as much searching and screening on your own as you can so as not to unduly waste the time of the realtor whom you select.
OP here. Thank you. You are assuring me of what my gut feeling was. I don’t want to mislead someone and take up their time. I think I will still contact this new referral I got since she is supposed to be very familiar with the communities I am looking at but I’ll be up front with her in that I am already receiving information from another one. Don’t want to mislead or promise something so she can also decide if she wants to talk with me and can even offer more than I have now. And, yes, I am very familiar with doing my own research. I live on the Realtor app but also know that doesn’t show everything. It won’t show “coming soon” posts which I’ve seen and wouldn’t otherwise. I have no worries about selling our current home but for the same reason, I worry about finding something where I want it. Thanks to those who have replied.
Please, do not do 2 realtors at the same time. It's dishonest. Find one you like and let him/her do the job. If it is not working out, dismiss that realtor and hire another. Been there, done that, still regret it. Our last purchase took 2.5 yrs of search by same realtor. She never even blinked or sighed at our pickiness.
OP here. Thank you. You are assuring me of what my gut feeling was. I don’t want to mislead someone and take up their time. I think I will still contact this new referral I got since she is supposed to be very familiar with the communities I am looking at but I’ll be up front with her in that I am already receiving information from another one. Don’t want to mislead or promise something so she can also decide if she wants to talk with me and can even offer more than I have now. And, yes, I am very familiar with doing my own research. I live on the Realtor app but also know that doesn’t show everything. It won’t show “coming soon” posts which I’ve seen and wouldn’t otherwise. I have no worries about selling our current home but for the same reason, I worry about finding something where I want it. Thanks to those who have replied.
speak w Realtor #3 - "I was referred to you by ___________. I understand your expertise is 55+. I have been communicating with other Realtors but have no real relationship with them - nothing is signed. Let's see if you'd be a good fit for me."
Assuming the answer is yes, then you simply email the other 2 and say "thanks for your time and effort. I have been referred to another Realtor who I will be using."
It's possible all or none of them would be the agent you'd hire to sell your home.
As far as I'm concerned if you show me the house you get the commish. If someone else shows me the house, they get the commish. I avoid locking myself into one real estate agent, though it's not always possible to prevent it.
Most sensible agents can look at me and see that I've got the money to follow through if they bring me something that meets my criteria.
I bought a house from Realtor 2 that was originally shown to me by realtor 1.
I asked realtor one to show me similar houses, and after screwing around for a week, she said she had nothing to show me.
I called the listing agent on the house which i liked and asked her to show me a few of similar ilk, which she did. We bought the first house we had originally seen. Explained the situation to realtor 2 just in case, and she said we were all good (of course!).
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OP, just be upfront and make a choice when the time comes. Try not to sign stuff so you are not hooked by someone you don't really know and who may turn out to be a dud. A strong realtor will work hard for you. Then maybe you sign something ( i can hear the realtor crowd howling now).
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