All these broker's "rules" are ridiculous. No way a newbie knows anything about them. I was instructed by my buyers broker that everytime I go to an open house, even on my own, I should put her name and number down and let the hosting broker know that I have representation. You can't imagine the anger that leads to sometimes. One broker actually refused to help me once I mentioned I had a broker.... [more]
All these broker's "rules" are ridiculous. No way a newbie knows anything about them.
I was instructed by my buyers broker that everytime I go to an open house, even on my own, I should put her name and number down and let the hosting broker know that I have representation. You can't imagine the anger that leads to sometimes. One broker actually refused to help me once I mentioned I had a broker. "Where is she then? Does she expect me to do her job for her? Either come back later with her, or see the place without her." It was a new development. She gave me the brochure, but wouldnt let me go see that sample apt!!
I am a do it yourselfer, but I know I have gaps in my knowledge. I like to search the web for properties and get more info about them. I get along with my buyer's broker really well, but with the power of the internet, I find new possibilities just as often as she does with whatever broker's access she has. I would like nothing better than to drop an email to the listing broker, just to find out more info. But supposedly, this is against the rules?!? Instead, I have to send the info to my buyer's broker, who then follows up with the selling broker.
What a waste of time!!
Anyway... just venting. So what are the rules anyway? Can anyone actually spell them out? I see there is an active thread about a new buyer who made some "mistakes". I can see how easily the events described could occur, yet people are calling him stupid, unethical, etc. Unwarranted, in my opinion. Us buyers are not out to screw anybody. We just want to buy a place to live! And feel comfortable that we are paying the right price for what we are getting.
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Response by Goldie
about 19 years ago
Posts: 182
Member since: Apr 2007
When I was looking to buy, I did exactly as you, went to a few open houses from internet leads that captured my attention. I had a buyer's agent, but her job was to find things I couldn't find, not to follow me everywhere. The annoyed broker issue came up every once in a while with regard to having a buyer's agent.
I handled this with two thoughts in mind: 1) I'm interested in buying a place to live, not making a seller's agent happy, 2) I'm not going to lose a contest to anyone on who can get angrier or more aggressive.
The reality is that there is nothing wrong with you visiting open houses on your own. I personally wouldn't schedule appointments to visit houses, it's too much hastle, and that is what the buyer's broker gets paid to do. But you should feel comfortable doing it in a way you're comfortable with.
In my experience, agents would back down when confronted on this issue, they have little option. I could complain to the broker or file an official compliant. It's a risk most sane agents wouldn't take.
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Response by anonymous
about 19 years ago
Posts: 33
Member since: Apr 2007
and brokers wonder why people put them in the same categories as used-car salesmen....
any buyer broker who request to have their name put down without ever accompanying the buyer to the open house is trying to get free money without doing ANYTHING.... i know a few of those
but anyone is still better than those brokers from the Herald Towers fiasco...
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Response by anonymous
about 19 years ago
Posts: 400
Member since: Apr 2007
Why the hell would you write down your buyer's broker's name if he/she didn't even bother to show up???? You are complete numbskull to do that. The broker works FOR YOU, not vice versa. I would call that broker immediately and say fuck off.
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Response by anonymous
about 19 years ago
Posts: 400
Member since: Apr 2007
IMHO, buyer's brokers are utterly useless. Perhaps if you are an absentee purchaser, they are useful. However, everything you need to make an informed purchasing decision is available on line. Yes we are all very buiys, but making a purchase of this caliber requires independent reasearch. I used a buyer's broker, some young chick who brought me to all these open houses and all she ever asked after was "So, are you gonna make an offer?". I made an offer. My offer was this: Get lost.
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Response by anonymous
about 19 years ago
Posts: 59
Member since: Apr 2007
Just a suggestion for OP, if you want to get information about things online but don't want them to know who you are, create a fake Yahoo email and use a different name. Then, if it's something you're interested in pursuing, you can either call or email them as yourself.
When I was looking to buy, I did exactly as you, went to a few open houses from internet leads that captured my attention. I had a buyer's agent, but her job was to find things I couldn't find, not to follow me everywhere. The annoyed broker issue came up every once in a while with regard to having a buyer's agent.
I handled this with two thoughts in mind: 1) I'm interested in buying a place to live, not making a seller's agent happy, 2) I'm not going to lose a contest to anyone on who can get angrier or more aggressive.
The reality is that there is nothing wrong with you visiting open houses on your own. I personally wouldn't schedule appointments to visit houses, it's too much hastle, and that is what the buyer's broker gets paid to do. But you should feel comfortable doing it in a way you're comfortable with.
In my experience, agents would back down when confronted on this issue, they have little option. I could complain to the broker or file an official compliant. It's a risk most sane agents wouldn't take.
and brokers wonder why people put them in the same categories as used-car salesmen....
any buyer broker who request to have their name put down without ever accompanying the buyer to the open house is trying to get free money without doing ANYTHING.... i know a few of those
but anyone is still better than those brokers from the Herald Towers fiasco...
Why the hell would you write down your buyer's broker's name if he/she didn't even bother to show up???? You are complete numbskull to do that. The broker works FOR YOU, not vice versa. I would call that broker immediately and say fuck off.
IMHO, buyer's brokers are utterly useless. Perhaps if you are an absentee purchaser, they are useful. However, everything you need to make an informed purchasing decision is available on line. Yes we are all very buiys, but making a purchase of this caliber requires independent reasearch. I used a buyer's broker, some young chick who brought me to all these open houses and all she ever asked after was "So, are you gonna make an offer?". I made an offer. My offer was this: Get lost.
Just a suggestion for OP, if you want to get information about things online but don't want them to know who you are, create a fake Yahoo email and use a different name. Then, if it's something you're interested in pursuing, you can either call or email them as yourself.