Which Way Is A Better Way ??? (broker, home, buying)

[dreamfollower]

Since I am basically dealing with questionable tactics taking place in the home buying process, I have yet to come to a conclusion as to which way is better ~ the benefit of going with a listing broker as per each property or having an outside agent handle me for all properties.

Pros of Using Listing Office
~ Get direct and immediate info on their property
~ They are likely to have a better incentive to handle the direct inquiry since the total commission stays in their office

Cons of Using Listing Office
~ They have total control of your offer in that there is not an outside Agent overseeing the offer process and as a non-professional the buyer is totally at their mercy.

Pros of Using Outside Agent
~ They are supposed to look out for the Buyers Interest, but since I have yet to meet an agent who really fulfills this code, it is useless. They all seem to resort to the same thing and that is that they try to get you to offer the highest amount for a slam-dunk acceptance no matter that a lower amount might work, too.
~ If they are doing their job correctly, they will provide a strong follow-up as to the status of the offer and secure that any timeline and propriety of paperwork is met
~ {The obvious chore of searching out properties would also be included, but in this age of internet, I prefer to search for properties on my own online and in tandem with the online "Listing Books" which all agents are able to supply.}

Cons of Using Outside Agent
~ My offer runs the risk that the Listing Office is putting offers from outside agents at the bottom of the pile and instead are maneuvering their office's direct offers to the head of the pack and to the Bank's immediate attention.

What do you think?

[firsttimeowner]

I think we will never know the truth unless you are a realtor or know someone who is personally and they tell you the HONEST truth about what the best approach is because its all SALES. Unfortunately like with any business, I think a lot of it comes down to who you know and the brokers who have an in with the listing agents may get more deals through faster and some get leads before they go on mls and some get refeal fees and all sorts of stuff must go on that is behind the scene and we will never know. It sux.

[firsttimeowner]

Another thought. If you were to work with realtors from each of the listing agents agencies that listed a home you liked than in effect you would put offers in with many different agents . This of course would not go over well with any agent if they knew you did that. One thing I have found is that agents are very particular about you only working with them . So if you did use that approach you would have to not tell any of the agents you put offers in with the others. I dont really like that but its how they are as you know.