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Should Buyers Contact the Listing Agents Directly?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Cam Realty and Property Management

Should Buyers Contact the Listing Agents Directly?

Buying a home at any stage of one’s life can be stressful.

-If not a Cash buyer, finding a good mortgage broker/lender and qualifying for a mortgage
-Finding a knowledgeable Realtor® whom they can trust
-Previewing homes and finding “THE ONE”
-Making an offer sellers will accept
-Understanding and signing all the documents, appraisal, home inspection etc

When a Buyer is represented by a Realtor®, it means exactly that! Buyer’s agent will guide them through the entire process from searching for homes to writing contract, all the way to the closing table.

 

So, what would be the reason for contacting the listing agent?

Why would a buyer try to cut their Realtor® out of the deal after all their hard work?

One of the reasons is, they simply don’t understand the process but in most cases, they think they will get a better deal if they go directly to the listing agent but unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. For those who don’t know, there’s such thing called “procuring cause”. In most cases the Realtor® who actually shows the home to the buyer is the Buyer's Agent. If you call the listing agent directly and they show they house and you make no mention of the fact you are working with a Realtor®, they will be representing both the sellers and you(the buyer).
If you are expecting a better deal just by contacting the listing agent directly, you may be disappointed.

Buyers, if you are represented by a Realtor®, they want you to call them, email or text them, it is not a bother, in fact, they would be delighted! They work so very hard to help you find the right home, it's only fair that they are with you from beginning to end.

Should Buyers Contact the Listing Agents Directly?




Comments(35)

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Contacting the listing agent directly is the surest way to make the seller happy

Sep 01, 2015 12:14 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

they think they will get a better deal if they go directly to the listing agent but unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way

This happens all too often and IMHO NHAR does not do a very good job of promoting buyer agency.. Too many agents /Brokers want both side of the commission.

Sep 01, 2015 01:43 PM
Virtual Realty Consultants
Virtual Realty Consultants LLC - Wellesley, MA
Making the American Dream a Reality

It wasn't too long ago when sub agency existed and everyone worked for the seller, so the "independence " of the buyer's agent is still relatively new in many buyers' minds.  With better education, consumers will learn and benefit

Sep 01, 2015 01:51 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Beth - Hopefully the buyer feels comfortable enough not to go around there own agent to the seller's agent.  It doesn't usually end well. 

Sep 01, 2015 04:25 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I hope home buyers will read this post . I will share this with others.

Sep 01, 2015 09:01 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Hi Beth.  While many don't understand the process there are also a large number that mistakenly believe they will get 'that great deal' by going with the listing agent.

Sep 01, 2015 10:00 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

They do it all the time. I think they must think they are saving their agent time or getting information that their agent can't. That is why I always ask the question about if they are working with an agent.

Sep 01, 2015 11:06 PM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

When buyers don't want to "bother" their agent, they are misunderstanding the very core of the relationship.  I tell my buyers "Call me - bother me."  It's my job, I want to be bothered!  They will understand it if you explain it to them at the start of the relationship.

Sep 01, 2015 11:43 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I had a woman call me and want me represent her while she already had representation. As soon as I found out, I tried to let her go over and over. She wasn't happy with her agent. I got that.... but that doesn't mean we give up ethics to solve the problem

Sep 02, 2015 12:22 AM
Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

Beth some will heed this message and others won't.  We do our best to reach as many as we can and that's all we can do.

Sep 02, 2015 02:59 AM
Mery Fernandez Empire Network Realty Luxury Brokerage
Empire Network Realty INC. - Orlando, FL
The Rise of An Empire, Let's Build Yours!

Hello and congratulations on your featured blog post! Well done and hope to see you have many more featured post. 

Sep 03, 2015 12:45 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Beth -- well-written and straight forward.  A commonly asked question, expertly answered.  

Sep 03, 2015 01:05 AM
Dana Hollish Hill
Hollish Hill Group, JPAR Stellar Living - Bethesda, MD
REALTOR * Broker * Coach

I'm not sure why buyers think working with the agent representing the seller's best interest will get them a better deal, but you are right. A buyer is always better off with buyer representation. 

Sep 03, 2015 02:01 AM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Thanks for sharing this, Beth. It's important that buyers get to read this post of yours. All the best!

Sep 03, 2015 04:06 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Beth, I have done many closings having both sides, and definitely if the buyer is savvy, probably no problem.  But those first time home buyers do need some in their corner. 

Sep 06, 2015 05:10 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Beth I guess I am late to this chain and I must admit it used to annoy me all the time when buyers called me and I could sense it was about trying to get the advantage or a discount or just to make sure they got the property....now I just smile I guess  I am more amused by these types of strategies.....comes with being in the business so long....Endre

Sep 07, 2015 04:31 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

What has happened to me in the past, Beth, is the same issue, but for a different reason. I will show properties here at the lake, work with the buyers, establish a relationship and share my local expertise, then a Portland realtor (an hour and a half away) will swoop in and write up the deal, as they simply didn't want to come out this far. That is not ethical, either, but it happens, occasionally. 

Congrats on the feature!

Sep 07, 2015 11:18 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Beth, I can't remember how many times a buyer asked me for the listing agents contact info. Why? It has always been because they believe they'll get a better deal. 

Sep 07, 2015 11:42 PM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Beth Atalay So true and so sad that the public does not understand agency.  Excellent post!  Well deserved FEATURE.

Sep 08, 2015 05:06 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Beth, the listing agent can only truly represent his seller client! The analogy I like to use is that it's the sellers agents job to reach into the buyers pocket and pull out the most money for his/her client...the seller!

Sep 08, 2015 07:57 AM