Ettiquette question

What the hell do you care? You're the "customer". You can do what you want.

I guess that I would like to do "the right thing" but also want to make sure that I dont make that agency less willing to negotiate on their fee...

I would think it's kind and straightforward of you to tell them: "By the way, I'm interviewing five agents for the listing, and I got referrals to both you and John Doe of your firm." You can even spin that forward into the "what-makes-you-the-best-person-to-sell-this" question.

ali r.
DG Neary Realty

yes, I would certainly be worried about offending someone you are going to pay 6% of whatever to, for doing some scheduling and walkthroughs. Ever think you should do it yourself?

Is it still 6% in this high demand environment?

"I would certainly be worried about offending someone you are going to pay 6% of whatever"

Why should the CLIENT be worried about offending anyone?

Agents need to seriously get over themselves and understand their real place in the pecking order here.

Pit them against one another.

Sell tickets.

Please. "Offending"? Gimme a break. Either they do the job properly or they don't. If they don't, then fire 'em. No need to walk on eggshells. Pick the best person and be damned to the rest.

I'm fairly certain gcondo was being glib. Alan was almost certainly sincere.

Aboutready, do you really think that Alan thought tickets could be sold?

Without naming names or trashing certain "personalities," I would suggest staying away from Halstead. I interviewed 3 brokers from this firm, and they were each completely incompetent. One was downright sleazy -- I thought I had formed a friendly relationship with him and I told him about 5 listings I was going to see on my own. He immediately called the listing agents and told them that he was my broker -- of course so that he could share in any possibly commission.

The overall experience was SO bad that I decided not to buy in New York City, rather to rent when necessary and keep my permanent residence on the West Coast.

Bottom line: I would continue to interview agents until you find one you really feel comfortable with. They are NOT your friends -- they are there to help you, and if you don't like them and have suspicions, tell them to go to hell.

most are bottom feeders, do your best to get a referral from someone that you know and trust. hopefully they have done multiple transactions with this person(s), so they have a vested interest in doing the right thing for YOU.

most important is that your key sherpa sherpa properly--to sherpa properly means to be always available for showings--or close to always

you dont want to miss your best buyer bc your broker wasnt available to show at last minute before buyer flies home to beijing or mumbai!

no joke--lotta buyers are scattershot, too--if they cant see a few places bc it's been tough getting appts, and they like a few they've been able to see, they blow off seeing others and bid on favorite, where your apt might have been.....

skip all the rest of the broker bs--stagi9ng, timing, knowledge of board culture, negotiating "skills", blah blah--stfu and get to any appts buyers want to arrange

"If it's boutique, maybe."

I've never understood the meaning of the term "boutique" real estate agency. Do they sell clothing too? Or is boutique just another word for "small"?

riccardo - I'm pretty sure that you previously posted on SE that you had bought and then sold, AT A PROFIT, in NYC. Stories change much?

Lucy, "boutique" implies both a small size and a high level of service. Most firms are small when they are founded, but whether a firm is a boutique depends on what its business model is -- is it looking to serve a smaller volume of customers, or a larger one? In Manhattan, Fox Residential and Kleier Residential are pretty good examples of long-established firms that stayed a certain size by choice.

ali r.
DG Neary Realty

^Thanks Ali. :-)

I interviewed them while I was looking at about 5 apartments, I told them that while I was looking at properties I was interviewing brokers to sell mine in a few months time. This way I was able to see how they were working for their current client. They weren't too happy with it, but 6% is a lot and I needed someone I could work with. This broker will be going to your apt when your not there. You need to feel really comfortable and forget the hurt feelings. I picked 1 of the 5 to sell mine and it worked great. Always remember they earn a nice fee and remember brokers chant to their clients

When you are selling
"market is weak, make sure your price is as low as the comps
and when your buying
"market is strong, grab it you won't have another chance to get a deal like this"

lol