| What to expect from real estate agent for buying a property and how to find a good agent?

What to expect from real estate agent for buying a property and how to find a good agent?

jb asked:


I am interested in buying a house in Santa clara county and am still looking around. This is my first experience and I don’ t have any real estate agent.
I am not sure what to expect from real estate agents except for they sending me bunch of email alerts - which pretty much I find on mlslistings myself.
There are couple of agents who took my email when I went for open house and they have been sending me these alterts. Are these considered my agents - or do I specifically need to tell someone and/or signup any papers indicating that they are my agents?
Pls help - thoroughly confused. Would even appreciate if you can point to relevant articles on web.
Thanks
JB

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Comments

2 Responses to “What to expect from real estate agent for buying a property and how to find a good agent?”

  1. Charles H on April 28th, 2009 7:37 pm

    These people want to be your agent to make a commission ,but none are your agent until you sign a representation agreement. It is tough to tell who is good and who is not so I would go with the one you felt the most comfortable with. If you do sign an agreement you can always asked to be released and legally they have to. (At least they do in Tn.) If they are still representing you and you have not been released then they can get their commission if you buy a house wheather they do anything or not. When dealing with agents I would recomend that you keep in mind that you are in charge and that they work for you. They would like for you to buy the first house you see so that they can make their commission. Keep in mind their commission comes from the sale of the house, so you do not have to pay them theoretically. They are paid a % of the sale price of the house. (Which of course you are paying for) Also I would recomend getting a different agent from the one that has a property listed. There is a sellers agent and a buyers agent. If you use the agent selling the property he is not really working for you. A good agent can help recomend a lender, I would check with more than one though, and negotiate a price. Most sellers expect to negotiate from their list price.

  2. Roger S on April 30th, 2009 1:04 pm

    JB, If you want to purchase a house, you don’t need a real estate agent. You could simply look online for houses for sale by owner or go to MLS listings to shop for houses. Once you like what you see, you could simply email or call the seller. Real estate agents collect money from the sellers. You won’t have to owe them a penny. You could simply contact the seller if they are selling their house on their own visit: you might find something there or your could visit numerous websites online.