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A few weeks ago I met with a builder and their agent to discuss a house I was interested in purchasing. The deal did not work out but we did talk about the possibility of building a custom home instead. Now in the weeks since we met, I traded a couple of emails with the agent on the original house. One message they didn't reply to until I emailed them again to see if they received my email. On top of that they did not reply to my last email nor have they tried to find any property to build me a home on.
Now maybe I am naive, but aren't they in the business to sell real estate? Wouldn't you think that they would try to put a deal together on another property for this builder to build on for me? I am an interested buyer, told them that and they don't even bother to acknowledge an email or go a bit above and beyond? Am I missing something here? Jay
Are you sure the agent will make a commision on the "custom" home with the builder? or did they get cut out of the deal? Why aren't you using your OWN agent? just asking!! That agent REPRESENTS the BUILDER, NOT YOU!! so you are not his/her concern. Ask those tough questions and you will find out what is going on. and don't be hating on fat and lazy.....
To answer a few of the questions here, the builder is a small local builder who builds a couple of spec homes per year, as well as building several custom homes. The builder is considered one of the better builders in our town. I had an agent for a couple of years but they are now semi-retired.
I say fat and lazy because during the boom years agents really did not have to do a lot of work to sell houses. I think they are just not interested in working a little bit to sell a home. Not sure why since the market is so slow.
Even if they do not get a commission on a custom home, they would get a commission on the lot. All they have to do is send me a list of available properties. When we met we did discuss some available lots and we figured out an approximate home size for my price range.
I realize I should have an agent and will probably get one soon. I just thought this agent would make an effort but she did not. Like I said she did not even bother to reply to my emails. To me that is just not good business. Thanks for the replies. Jay
Unfortunately, what it sounds like to me is that she went from working a $$$ commision to a $ commision, and that is not so interesting to her. I'd call the office and ask for the name of a newer agent -- we don't have the luxury of picking higher dollar clients, and are willing to work harder for less money. Just one thought...
PS -- either way, that is bad business. Your custom home will likely be very nice, and if you ever do choose to sell it, she has worked (or not worked for that matter) herself out of a future deal. Plus, so much of this business is referral based, and she will not be getting a rave review from you!
Thanks for the replies. I don't know, but I agree with Amber. I won't be using that agent when I buy my next house or sell my current house. I just wonder if she is just being lazy. Seems strange to me. Jay
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