Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Should You Hire a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home? Here's What Dave Ramsey Says
The Motley Fool ^ | July 3, 2022 | Maurie Backman

Posted on 07/03/2022 4:28:13 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage?

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-91 next last
To: mac_truck
Assuming you're a serious seller who knows the local real estate market, why would finding a qualified buyer so quickly upset you? I personally know of a case where the sellers listed a $300K house with a realtor and as the agent was putting up the sign a couple driving thru the neighborhood saw it, stopped, looked at the house and offered full price. That's $18,000 (6% commission) the seller had to pay whereas if they did FSOB for a few weeks they'd saved that money.
41 posted on 07/03/2022 7:22:29 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage? (Drain the Swamp. Build the Wall.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

When I moved to the Pinetop-Lakeside area of Arizona, I used a real estate agent that was recommended. Long story short, the agent and the inspector were in cahoots.

I had a friend who is a contractor come up from the valley to do some upgrades. I found out there were serious wiring issues, along with black mold, and other items.

Approx. 50k later, the house is comfortable and secure.

Moral of the story: Have an independent contractor go through the house and pay him $250-300, first


42 posted on 07/03/2022 7:23:15 AM PDT by Glennb51
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pops88
I recently got my real estate license. Godspeed navigating the laws if trying to do it on your own.

It's not rocket science. Here in Michigan I bought and sold a home FSOB, no issues. In Alabama I bought and sold the same house 8 times without an agent, had my real estate lawyer on speed dial.

That being said, it is situation dependent. I recently listed another house in Alabama with an agent, did not try FSOB because I was not there. Did not sell. I am also aware agents can really help some buyers get financed. Just depends.
43 posted on 07/03/2022 7:30:10 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage? (Drain the Swamp. Build the Wall.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Glennb51

Here is Michigan a lot of realty companies have associated mortgage and title companies, plus I believe kickbacks from inspectors, etc. When I used an agent to buy my last house ending hp having two different title companies (her’s and the sellers), added confusion IMHO.

So while the agent is supposed to be working for you, they are actually working for themselves and their company first.


44 posted on 07/03/2022 7:38:57 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage? (Drain the Swamp. Build the Wall.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

I’m licensed in NV. Considering the history of Las Vegas, the ethical standards are pretty stringent here now. There’s a world of difference between The Strip and the people that actually live and work here. We have a surprisingly large Christian population and truth seekers. Most of the RE agents I’ve met are more like crusader’s for their clients against scams and dirty dealings. Two words to consider, alone or working with an agent-
Due Diligence!


45 posted on 07/03/2022 7:55:18 AM PDT by pops88 ( Helping usher the glory of God into Las Vegas)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?
In 2013 we sold our house (that wasn't on the market) via a cold call, and bought a new house that had just been placed on the market 'For Sale by Owner'.....in one afternoon.

God was our agent.

(1% to cold call broker, 0% for FSBO)

46 posted on 07/03/2022 7:57:45 AM PDT by G Larry (Anybody notice that Satan is hard at work?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

Bump


47 posted on 07/03/2022 8:03:57 AM PDT by painter ( Isaiah: �Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: srmanuel
When you hire a real estate agent, they present you a standard contract which spells out the commission rate,

In Michigan buried in the buyer contract is an extra $500 above the 6% the seller already agreed. As a buyer I had that stricken.
48 posted on 07/03/2022 8:18:19 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage? (Drain the Swamp. Build the Wall.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Leaning Right
How set in stone are realtor commissions?

100% negotiable...and don't be cowed into signing a long term agency agreement either. Talk to more than one realtor and pick one that you feel confident will represent you well.

Remember, there are MANY more realtors than there are people who need their services.

49 posted on 07/03/2022 8:22:04 AM PDT by mac_truck (aide toi et dieu t'aidera )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

In my Florida neighborhood, houses now rarely turn over. Everyone who wanted or needed to sell has sold.

It is hard for area homeowners to know what their house is worth.

In many metro areas, mainly those with good airline service, houses sell within two weeks. This creates buyer panic.

Nationwide the real estate market has more inventory, but a much higher percentage is of houses with problems, such as being outdated or unattractively modernized. I see the need for price cuts with these houses. Buyers are far less likely to overlook problems in a softening market.

In some areas the local real estate market I suspect is getting hung up, such as Long Island and California.

I live in Florida and really can’t move out of state because real estate taxes would eat up much of the Social Security I will hopefully get in the coming years.


50 posted on 07/03/2022 8:22:56 AM PDT by Brian Griffin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mdmathis6
"Your agent probably didn’t want to do any work over the 4th week-end or he had someone in mind for the home that you might not have wanted. It happens."

LOL. I messed up his weekend because he could no longer complain about me! His job was finished on Friday. Now my paperwork starts!

He's now using the apartment as a carrot to get tenant clients. I believe he worked both sides.

He's been a nightmare. Glad it's over.

51 posted on 07/03/2022 8:23:35 AM PDT by 1_Rain_Drop ("There will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration” - Pompeo)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Toespi
"So you can say an agent messes with peoples minds, but a great Realtor is golden."

Have to find that golden realtor! The current agent I had was a 100% liar and bordering on abusive. The worst of the worst. The one before him was a chicken.

I will be needing a new agent next year. I plan to do a lot of research this year to find a better agent or I will do the work myself.

52 posted on 07/03/2022 8:39:25 AM PDT by 1_Rain_Drop ("There will be a smooth transition to a second Trump administration” - Pompeo)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Toespi
Exactly. When a house has been on the market too long, it throws up red flags to potential buyers. Either there are major issues with the house or it is overpriced.

As a buyer, I was only really interested in homes that just came on the market. If they were listed for a month or more, I crossed them off the list, figuring something was off.

53 posted on 07/03/2022 8:45:51 AM PDT by SamAdams76 (3,416,204 active users on Truth Social)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

Realtors and lawyers are like snakes and whale crap but I’d rather deal with a lawyer.

The last three properties I’ve bought were using a lawyer and a title company and title insurance.

Last house I sold using a realtor and she probably earned her fee with an advertising push and marketing that got the house sold in a reasonable time in ‘16 before the insanity hit. Compared to then I’d now have made at least another 50% but that was then and this is now.

Today, I’d try self-marketing with a lawyer and title company as our place is probably worth close to $3 million (which I think is stupid money) and I have unsolicited offers several times a year. Not the bottom fishing brokers but real offers. It will be a cold day before I pay someone $180,000 to carry an offer. I am in no hurry to sell, have no place else at hand to go to and am patient. Someday it will be the kids problem.


54 posted on 07/03/2022 8:53:52 AM PDT by Sequoyah101 (Politicians are only marginally good at one thing, being politicians. Otherwise they are fools.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BipolarBob

“The seller re-negotiated with the RE agency on their commission”

Ahhh! The famous commissionectomy!!! Love it. Lol


55 posted on 07/03/2022 9:31:36 AM PDT by Pocketdoor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Pocketdoor

it came down to “a little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing”. The seller was motivated. It had been on the market for over a year. He imagined himself a “flipper”. In a way, I guess he was. He was getting tired of keeping the place up to show. It was very neat with the majority of his stuff in storage. My position was I had just completed a house sale and had C A S H and needed a place to live. I’d say we both got lucky. He didn’t get as much as he wanted and I paid more than what I wanted and the RE took a reduced commission to make this happen. All a compromise.


56 posted on 07/03/2022 9:39:52 AM PDT by BipolarBob (Where is Biden leading us and what's with the hand basket?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: Sequoyah101
have no place else at hand to go to a

If I sold my place, where would I go? There's no place affordable that I want. Anything I could afford would be a downgrade for no reason. I'm staying where I'm at until forced to or death.

57 posted on 07/03/2022 9:44:34 AM PDT by BipolarBob (Where is Biden leading us and what's with the hand basket?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

There are certain jobs where I hire professionals. This is one of them.


58 posted on 07/03/2022 10:27:26 AM PDT by plain talk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Principled

“If you know real estate laws for your state you can save the commission”

We sold two houses in California without realtors. I put each house on the market myself to see what would happen. After a month or so I’d get a realtor but in both cases a buyer came along. We both (seller and buyer) hired a lawyer to assist with the transaction.

We sold a house where we are now and used a realtor. That worked out fine too. She was listing the house we bought.


59 posted on 07/03/2022 10:33:03 AM PDT by cymbeline
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: eastexsteve
Dittos about the agent being dishonest. Especially, if they are working with an agent representing the buyer.

In my area most everyone has a seller's agent and they work with the buyer's agent. Could you explain why you feel that is not good for the seller? Also in my area some seller's agents have dual agency. That could have problems too.

60 posted on 07/03/2022 10:45:09 AM PDT by ladyjane
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-91 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson