On our mls in Houston we have what's called "Agent Remarks." An area only viewable by Realtors. Often buyers will call me wanting to view my listings. I always ask the same questions.
1. Are you currently working with a Realtor?
2. Are you pre approved?
3. Do you have to sell before you can buy and/or are you obligated to a lease? If so, when is the lease obligation over?
After I ask the simple questions and a few others I proceed to offer some insight about the property, area and so forth.
Unfortunately some buyers and buyer's agents like to play the unethical game of don't ask don't tell. When asked if they have a Realtor 1/2 of them will say "no." When in fact they do. Sometimes they have intention of using anyone BUT the listing agent. Both of these two choices are 100% FINE. The problem LIES in where the buyer is dishonest and says.. they don't. Here are common reasons a buyer lies:
1. They were told.. "Go find a house through a listing agent and when you're ready, call me" by their buyer's agent. This is both lazy & foolish by the Realtor representing the buyer. A buyer's agent should be there EVERY step of the way! An agent has no privilege of swooping in at the last minute to right a contract after the listing agent has done additional work, sometimes a lot depending how far a buyer has played this game.
2. They think they can get "inside" information from the listing agent by pretending they don't have a Realtor. Again - this will not happen on my listings. No competent or ethical Listing Agent will divulge information that could financially harm a seller. Just like a buyer's agent isn't supposed to tell a listing agent that their buyer will pay more than the asking price.
3. Sadly a buyer feels they are "bothering" their buyer's agent by asking to view properties! They feel if they are not SERIOUS than they don't want to waste their buyer's agent time. There is no logic to assume it's acceptable to waste a Listing Agents time either. If you read my AGENT REMARKS you'll see how the buyer's agent will make a poor financial decision by giving poor advice.
The list goes on and on, but the point is the same. Don't LIE about representation. Here's another reason why. It could cost YOUR agent MONEY!
Above I mentioned that the MLS in Houston has AGENT REMARKS. In MY agent remarks that's NOT viewable buy consumers it reads:
IF LISTING AGENT OR TEAM MEMBER SHOWS PROPERTY TO BUYER & BUYER WRITES OFFER THROUGH DIFFERENT BROKER THAN BUYER'S AGENT WILL BE PAID 1% TOTAL COMMISSION.
It's important that I shield my sellers from deceit, tire kickers and unapproved buyers. That's part of my duty to my seller. Contrary to widespread misconception it is NOT a Realtors DUTY or "JOB" to show the listing to anyone that comes asking. One of the reasons a seller hires a REALTOR is because they don't want to be bombarded with the issues, problems and overall general public curioustiy..
It is a Realtors fiduciary responsibility to promote the sellers best interest at all times and not turn away potential business - UNTIL it no longer represents the sellers BEST interest. If someone starts out LYING to me than I (with my seller) make a unilateral decision to NOT show the property. This is the proper way to decline a showing to any one potential buyer.
From a young age we're all taught to be honest and fair. Ironically it's a Realtors requirement to do the same.
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