I wouldn't worry about him.  He can buy and sell as he pleases.  He can't use any one else as an excuse however.

There are some buyers that really don't need us.  Others that really do...  The problem is that many of the ones that do don't recognize that. 

Yup,

Sometimes people need us more than others, I have had many a client that is good enough to do it on their own, it just depends on how much time they want to spend on it.

Take care!

RJH

I often provide potential sellers or buyers with a list of "what if" scenarios.  Every scenario has been part of one of my transactions or the transaction of a Realtor acquaintance.  I tell them that if they know how to handle the situation, they don't need a Realtor. 100% of the time they decide that Realtors really do work hard.

Your article is well written and right on!

Here lies my problem. After I was a Realtor for many years ... a very successful top producer with my own brokerage I moved to Hawaii. I built a house my wife hated!!! Of course I had to sell it, she refused to move into it. I could not find an agent that lived up to my high standard and ended up selling it myself. Even though I am a Realtor again here in Hawaii if I were not I would be a FSBO. I have my way of doing things and finding an agent who is as good as me ... well, it will never happen. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty I respect as Realtors and I know they work very hard ... but nobody does it my way and that would be a requirement for me in hiring an agent.

Buyers are being taught that they don't need agents because the Internet makes non-licensees as good as an experienced agents are.  Add to that line of mis-info, all the Z ill ow and Real tor dot com staffs pumping out articles and blogs about their greatness, and all buyers start believing licensees just take pictures of houses that show themselves for deals that just happen.  LOL

I just do a pre-listing Inspection and give them a report of my findings. It is up to them to sell it that way or just spend the time and fix items I list.

Either way is good for me. I give them the way it is up front. Up to them to drop the price or fix. The realtor's want that done also.

Jeff

John--the issue is, however, that many consumers believe the media and the drivel that's put out there!  I have more than one client right now I'm trying to resue from foreclosure becasue of MIS-representation and MIS-information!

Lane--you're absolutely right, and that's precisely the issue!  The ones who need us the most often wait untl it's too late!

RJH--yes, and I also have quite alot of knowledge gleaned from being the daughter of a nurse and fiance of a doctor...I still get physicals once in a while!  ;^)

Sharon--you and me both!  I believe that one of the most important parts of our jobs is to FULLY inform our buyers and sellers of all factors which may, or may not affect the transaction.   Thanks for posting!

Patrick--maybe if you'd hired a good consultant when you built that house the wife wouldn't have hated it!  ;^)

I have had Realtors consult me on what to do in certian situations--Real Estate is SUCH a varied and specialized field, not even the licensed ones can possibly cover everything!

Heath--good example of just what I'm talking about, which is why I feel it is important to "starve the cold, feed the fever"--the cold being media negativity and mis-information, the fever being those of us truly passionate about what we do!

I feel another blog rant coming on...

Jeff--I really like the idea of a pre-listing inspection, but have not yet come across that many sellers willing to do so.