Realtor question

[hokie-in-SoCal]

Hello All – I have been reading this forum for a few years and have always appreciated the discussions and opinions of the realtors that frequent this board. With that being the case I have a few questions for those very Realtors.

What is best way to obtain a realtor that would understand that we don’t need to be shown 100 houses. We know what we want and feel more comfortable searching for one ourselves through various resources. The realtor retained would be for showing us properties that we find and helping us through the buying process when necessary. Once a relationship is established the realtor could send us properties to view but realtors in the past have just been too pushy and wanted to “help” us find our house.

I don’t know that this makes any sense but we are finding it difficult to view homes that we like and get a trusted opinion on the house from either the selling agent or from someone that we have only just met for the first time. Thoughts?

Thanks greatly!
C

[SD Realtor]

I think the best way to accomplish your goals is to be upfront with the agents you use from the very beginning. Most good realtors have a variety of clients that have a wide range of needs. Some of them require alot of handholding and some do not due to experience or for other reasons. I think as long as you spell out your expectations then you should be okay. Don’t sign a representation agreement so that if you want to use someone else, then you are not bound. However being courteous and letting the agent know is fair and prevents them from doing work for a client who will not be using them in the future.

Getting an unbiased opinion can be challenging. Many times you get the buyers agents who tend to be overly optimistic about any property they show you. Similarly when you go on your own and deal with the listing agent directly it can be challenging to trust what they say. Sometimes buyers bring third parties like friends with them on showings just to have another set of eyes there.

Agents that focus on giving information rather then unbiased opinions are to me, the most helpful resources for clients. Now, more often then not, a client will ask for the agents opinion on the home, neighborhood, etc and in those cases it is helpful for the agent to pass that opinion on as it was solicited. As you already may have found, some agents may push hard for various neighborhoods based on the parameters you told them are important.

As for finding it difficult to view homes you like, it is typical for people to be quite disappointed with the inventory they have been looking at, especially at San Diego prices. Try not to burn out on it and don’t let it consume you. Don’t be afraid to take a break every now and then as well.

[sdrealtor]

That was good advice from SD R. I think any of the 3 of us who regularly post here could meet those needs if they arent overloaded right now.

Frankly what you described is how I work with most of my clients and I suspect both UR and SD R do the same. Where are you looking? Each of us has an area we are most familiar with?

I cant speak for the others but I am also happy to answer questions and provide unbiased (at least I think so) opinions with no obligation expected if you just send me a PM about a specific property as long as it doesnt become more than a few.

[SmellsFeeshy]

Have you thought of using a realtor through one of the major online RE websites like Redfin? Sounds like that would be exactly what you’re looking for since they basically assume you will do most of the research yourself and only request their services when you actually want to see a property or make an offer.

[hokie-in-SoCal]

Our area of focus is quite large. I work in North County along the coast and my wife works downtown. We are looking along to coast or within a few miles east of the 5 from solana beach to balboa park. We are not necessarily looking in every neighborhood just that general area…

As for using redfin we have tried it once or twice but we really would like to have a realtor that we could get to know a bit and understand our situation. Maybe we just need to “interview” a few realtors??

C

[sdrealtor]

Gotcha. FWIW while I know most of SD County and have sold everywhere my primary area of expertise is along the coast from Oceanside down to Carmel Valley. SD R knows most everywhere also but lives along and probably knows the 15 corridor best. UR seems to know the I-8 corridor best.

As for Redfin, I find they dont really know any area particularly well and are mainly order takers which is fine if thats what you are looking for.

Best of luck!

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[sdrealtor]

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[Author]

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