Thanks for the post.  I get so tired of the "agent is not your buddy so don't tell them what you can spend.  Does he even know how hard it is to find a house for someone like that?  And having represented a couple of sellers who got offers at 30% less, the seller told the buyer to walk.  Hard to make a deal work when the seller is angry at the buyer or vice versa.  Maybe some of these people should be made to actually work in the field on which they write and make a living at it!

Melissa,

Real estate is an easy one to apply broad sweeping generalities to.  I've given up on authors like this trying to fill space the horoscopes couldn't cover. 

I agree that timing is very important and hope that people will have the sense to know that the author of that article is not the best source of information.

Melissa, an offer 20-30% below list price would likely not even receive a response - sounds like this guy has been listening to TV investor hucksters and taking their spin as the gospel truth. When a Seller is insulted, they don't want to play.

I had some major issues with the article and it's "advice". It's the reason consumers start out not trusting us at all.

I also agree that this article is outrageous and hope that consumers are smarter than to believe this...

Oh, the ignorance that fills the internet.  The author of the MSN article obviously never heard of "fiduciary responsibility"!  Sure, go ahead and ask why my clients are selling the home - and I'll tell you I am not at liberty to divulge that information!  Ask what repairs have been performed to the home, and I'll politely tell you that I'd be happy to provide you a copy of the seller's disclosure.  Most of us know who we represent and how to protect our clients' interests.

No, we are not our clients' buddies.  They hired us for our professional services & knowledge, and that's what they'll get.  (Tho many times they do become our buddies!!)  For most of us, negotiating on our clients behalf is the best part of the transaction!!  Am I right?  I am puzzled as to why the author feels that we should not be privvy to our clients budget.  In my area, 20 to 30% can be a really big difference in the quality of a home.  Ah yes, it is because we are those nasty, greedy, ogres - always trying to push our clients over budget so we can get a higher commission!  Greed, Greed, Greed - our only motivation.  AAAGGGHHH! 

Melissa~

Congratulations on your featured post! The time and energy you put share the info is much appreciated.

Melissa...  Oh the things I could say about these real estate "professionals" that seem to be all hat and no cattle.  They have been given a title...but have nothing behind it.  Most newspapers and news agencies seem to have it out for realtors.  They operate on how most of the business world operates...meaning without ethics.  I am thankful to be a realtor with a code of ethics that offers our clients a safe haven to do business in. 

It's our duty to educate our buyers and educate the public on how it really is.  Thanks for your post...there needs to be more like them!

Congrats on bieng a featured post. 

Mr. Solomon is probably some twenty something who has never bought a home and really should not be giving professional advise about something he clearly knows little about.

Typical Media!!!

The article struck me that this guy doesn't like us.  If you're a buyer, the best advice you can get would be from a professional Realtor--especially a Buyer's Agent.   Hopefully buyers will realize the source is not professional.

I don't mean to be disagreable here but there are valid points below the surface here.  The MSN article is pretty superficial but the negotiation process is what needs to be addressed.  Haven't we all dealt with a negotiation that has broken down because the needs/desires of the buyer/seller were not completely understood?  All good agents know that it is our job to make sure this does not happen but . . . 

Writers love to make us the enemy, as though it is so hard for them to find a good Realtor. Unfortunately, many people follow this stupid stuff.

Second post I've read to day about MSN. Can't say as I blame you for being rather miffed. But don't let idiots like that discourage you. I'm sure you won't

It seems like we must spend alot of time dispelling nonsense that our clients get from the media.  Most people are going to believe what they want to believe until they are proven otherwise. It's unfortunate as alot of buyers will lose out on the first house or 2 they bid on if they don't listen to their agent and realize what is actually going on in the market is NOT what they've been told by the press.

You are right Jenny we will just have to keep educating the public our selves because next week one of them may be our Buyer.  Buyers will really lose out if they don't realize that repesentation by a Buyer's Agent is what they need.  I know in England buyers do not seem to have representation are there any states still in this position or lagging behind.  I know Maryland is strong on Buyer's representation.  margaret C.

The problem with articles like that is that many people reading them take them as the gospel.  There is so much re-educating we have to do to overcome the generalizations or absolute untruths out there for public consumption.

The article needs LOTS of revisions.  The myths are perpetuated by articles like these and clearly written by people who've never used a Realtor or had a terrible one...there are millions...of good ones out there, ethical, caring and hard working.  But ohhh that would be boring reading. 

A lesson to be learned by all.... If you're going to offer advice, as the publisher of the article did, it should be their primary OBLIGATION to make sure they're imparting accurate information and advice.  Unfortunately, that's not a standard practice and the uneducated public does not know otherwise.

Nice post.  Good feature.  Fair and balanced.  Way more fair and balanced than it would have been had I wrtitten it.

Where do they get these guys?

Do "they" hate REALTORS, too?