How to handle a stressful realtor or is it me?

[Ricechex]

Hi All,
I am in the market to buy a house. I think my realtor is very competent, but she is really stressing me out.

She keeps on about my “price point” which is on the low end, I admit, and wants me to buy anything at all. I have a specific area of town that I want, and I know it will take some time. I have told her repeatedly, I am in NO rush, but she seems very very rushed. I am a low maintenance customer, since not much has come up in my target area, I haven’t needed many showings. She keeps trying to re-direct me to other neighborhoods.

I have owned one home in the past, 11 years ago, and don’t remember that realtor as being so pushy, but it has been awhile. I do remember the frenzy to buy homes and the run up to the bubble. This feels the same. Hurry, hurry, hurry….prices have gone up in the last year! Prices are continuing to go up! The interest rates are so low! Its a great time to buy!

Is this true? Should I get another realtor? Are all realtors like this? Again, this realtor is very efficient, competent and will excel once it is time to get the job done.

[NotCranky]

Just my take…it may miss the mark. I had an agent doing the same things once. I just ignored him and told him what to do when I felt like it…that worked out too, but I was pushing low ball offers and had lots of construction knowledge. I wasn’t worried about him trying to bury issues to close.

If you are not comfortable ignoring her when you want to and you are not sure that you can analyze a house and house deal for yourself, I suggest getting rid of her. She sounds like she is competent in closing or trying to. Why would you want to be in an escrow with her when she is so pushy now? Find someone who is competent in caring about and taking care of Ricechex’s goals and pace. There is at the very least someone who has the sense not to be pushy when you say you are in “no hurry”, and it doesn’t mean they are not competent.

[sdduuuude]

Next realtor.

[outtamojo]

[quote=sdduuuude]Next realtor.[/quote]

+1

Brother in law had same problem. Realtor kept showing neighborhoods he didn’t want- they were just wasting each others time.

[treehugger]

Fire her.

Had a realtor doing that to me and I walked (ok I actually was a chicken, ’cause she was really nice, just really annoying….told her we gave up the home search and were going to rent).

Did my own research and found my house within my budget, in my desired neighborhood, with no help from a realtor. Really not that hard with the internet and iphone apps, I found stalking neighborhoods with my iphone and dog (so I looked innocent) were particularly useful. I used the listing agent and he got both sides of the deal. Served me well as there were several offers and he basically told me what my “highest and best” should be and we won.

[EconProf]

Treehugger: there is another advantage to looking on your own and dealing only with the listing agent: they will work harder to get the deal through because they are not sharing the commission.
This is especially helpful since many sellers overestimate the value of their house and need to be brought down to earth by their agent.

[Aecetia]

Rice:

You are the boss and she should be going at a pace and style that suits you. She sounds like she wants you to work at her pace, so she gets her commission. She forgets who she works for.

Congratulations on being ready to buy a house, too.

[Ricechex]

Thank You Everyone. I decided that I would use another realtor more suitable for me, and told her that I would continue renting for awhile, and thanked her for her time.

[urbanrealtor]

[quote=EconProf]Treehugger: there is another advantage to looking on your own and dealing only with the listing agent: they will work harder to get the deal through because they are not sharing the commission.
This is especially helpful since many sellers overestimate the value of their house and need to be brought down to earth by their agent.[/quote]
1st, regarding the above:
Econprof:
I really don’t understand how you can be (however briefly) a professor of a behavioral science when your grasp of incentives seems so clouded and poor. I have said this on multiple occasions before.

If an agent will try to get your offer through above others (which are probably higher), he is not acting in the best interest of his original client (the seller).
He is not working in the best interest of his client because of greed.
The idea that you will somehow come out the winner in a deal where you are banking on the help and assistance of someone who has just betrayed his duties seems to me illogical.

If he is fucking over his own client because he is greedy, then you are unlikely to find him to be working in your best interests.

2nd Regarding Ricechex’s question:

Buyer representation is important. Bad decisions resulting (in part) from bad buyer representation (or no representation) is the recipe for a future FB.

If your agent is rushing you or pushing you or making you feel uncomfortable, they are not doing their job and you should get a new agent.

Be direct and honest with the old agent.
However, if you are breaking up, then break up and don’t look back.
No professional (of any kind) should ever leave you dreading your appointments.

I wish you luck maam.

[saiine]

Fire, and call sdrealtor. I, and others have had nothing but good experiences with him.

[EVSDCA]

[quote=saiine]Fire, and call sdrealtor. I, and others have had nothing but good experiences with him.[/quote]
+1

[RoyceKemp]

FIRE immediately!

I am a Realtor, and my clients come first, PERIOD! I give all my clients a signed Performance Pledge and expect to be fired if I’m not living up to their personal standards.

The fact of the matter is, you are the person in control, and as a Realtor I work for you! End of story. I have worked with clients some Buyer clients for months, and then have them decide that maybe San Diego isn’t even right for them. The head of household travels a lot to Boston and other cities so they felt like maybe San Diego isn’t right for them. Guess what, I’m right there supporting their decision because as a Realtor, I’m looking to help people make the best choices for their situation. Sure I sometimes lose a great client, but that’s the business and I’m in it for the long haul!

Good luck, it’s tough to be a Buyer in this market, but your patience will pay off!

[Author]

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