We're Not Lawyers

The job of the realtor is to work for and represent either the seller or the buyer.  The realtor throws out ideas of how the process normally goes and gives you their plan on how they will work for you during the negotiations to help your cause.  The realtor has a fiduciary responsibility to their client and watches out for them the best they can.  The realtor is not a lawyer or professional inspector or cpa, so there are some areas where they cannot advise you.

The realtor works for you and does what you instruct them to do.  The realtor does not tell you exactly what to do in pricing your home, negotiating the contract or saying yes or no to the terms in the contract - - they throw out ideas and it is your choice and decision as to how you want to respond.

After being in real estate for many many years, I have learned that the buyers and sellers have selective memory.  They make their own choices, but if it turns out not quite like they want it to be then they quickly forget that and state that the realtor made them say yes or no or told them to accept this price or that.  Many times sellers and buyers will not accept that they have to own up to their own responsibility too.  Example:  One time when working with clients - - after seeing about 25 homes, we wrote an offer and the buyers insisted upon coming in $18,000. below asking price - - I told them I would do what they instructed but I was sure it would not fly and it would alienate the sellers.  They said do it!  We did and the sellers were very offended and would not budge.  Then the buyers selective memory kicked in and they said it was your fault realtor and you made us lose face.  One time I brought an offer to a couple (my listing clients).  The offer was lower than we had hoped for and I gave the idea of countering it to try for more money for them.  The man said "no" I just want to accept this and get it over with.  We did what he said.  Later on an evaluation sheet the wife wrote in and said "This realtor made us sell our house too cheap."  So, I think you get the idea of what I'm saying.  By the way, there are many people out there that are appreciative of the advice and suggestions that come from their realtors and they're the ones that make the job pleasant.