Dr B
The cold medicien is getting the better of you again. At the time a deal is made it can be judged to be a “good deal”, an average deal or “getting screwed”. Only over time does one know if it was a postive or negative financial move.
Someone could have overpaid in late 2003 and gotten screwed but then resold 4 months later and made a 6 figure profit thus having gotten lucky on timing.
Someone could have gotten a “good deal” in early 2007 but then gotten crushed because they had to sell later that year when teh financial market seized up.
There is a difference.
When you get down to the real responsibility of any agent it is to represent the client interests at that point in time for that transaction. Of course some agents are better at anticipating the markets movements but that is really the work of economists and analysts not RE agents. If someone wants to buy something, a good agent should help them get a “good deal” in the current market.
The agent didnt make the decision to buy a home, the buyer does. The agents job is to help them do what they want and getting them a better deal in the current market is doing a good job for their client. Some of us look out for our clients long term financial well being but by definition that is not our role.