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Do you want a Weekend Tour Guide? Or, do you want a Professional Real Estate Agent?

By Carol B.C. Honkanen

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Brave New Realty LLC

April 17, 2010 10:40 PM

I'm curious about the majority of people who are out looking for homes.

Are you looking for a home, with serious intentions to Buy?

Are you looking for homes, because your Agent asked you to use other Agents until you are
ready for him/her to write up your Offer?

Are you just browsing and checking out what is out there?

If you are working with a professional Real Estate Agent, hopefully they have asked you to sign
a Buyer's Agency Agreement. If not, that's too bad (for your best interest AND their's).

Let's hear about YOUR experiences looking for homes (whether you are serious about buying or not) . . .

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John Ryan

Century 21 Alliance - Havertown, PA

Carol, In Pennsylvania if I show someone a home and they write it up with someone else and I find out about it, trust me when I tell you I will get the commission.

Apr 17, 2010 10:50 PM

Carol B.C. Honkanen

Brave New Realty LLC - Snohomish, WA

Designated Broker & CMM

Thanks cool . . . you must be covering all basis, to make sure that you prove your "Procuring Cause"! :-)

Many Agents fail to follow certain steps to make sure they can fight for their commission. (e.g. presenting the Agency Law Pamphlet prior to providing any Brokerage Services, having a Buyer's Agency Agreement, etc...)

Apr 17, 2010 11:09 PM

Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA

Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD

301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

I can't understand why some agents still not able to secure the buyer before showing houses. . it's a simple process and it validates you as a professional

Apr 17, 2010 11:25 PM

William True

True Sarasota Real Estate - Sarasota, FL

Sarasota Real Estate

As a Sarasota real estate agent, my business revolves around the buyers, and as an exclusive buyer agent, sometimes we have to show people around town as well.

Apr 17, 2010 11:37 PM

Sally K. & David L. Hanson

EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI

WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

There will always be the career lookers....and those who believe that a Buyers market means every seller is willing to bring cash to closing so they can get the house they "deserve" OR that the listing agent is the only one who can really negotiate a fair deal ....takes all kinds...and we sure see them all !

Apr 17, 2010 11:49 PM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Carol:

We have procuring cause to fall back on but it is not an easy road to go after. It is best to train your clients how to go to open houses and sign your name in and leave your business card.

Apr 18, 2010 12:04 AM

@ Claudette ~ yeah, we have "procuring cause" to fall back on. LoL (Don't count on it.)

I actually held an Open House for another Agent (with a different company than I) and I was there to represent a Buyer, if I found one.

I had the Agency Law pamphlet proudly displayed for all interested Buyers to take and talk about when I saw them. I had notes for every person I spoke with. And, a Buyer came in two weekends in a row. She brought her husband in to see the home and I even introduced them to the Seller and we discussed how to proceed with an Offer afterwards.

Can you believe that after all that, they went through another Broker and when I took the case to Arbitrary, that the OTHER Agent won?! He never even showed the house to them!!!

And, it didn't matter that I had my notes and I did everything (except have them to sign a Buyers' Agency Contract). The final verdict was that I didn't have a Buyers' Agency Contract with the Buyers, so the Buyers could have ANYONE they wanted, to write up their offer. PERIOD.

So, don't think that "Procuring Cause" is any protection. It certainly didn't help me. I even previously had classes on it, and did everything (other than the Agreement), to the book.

Moral of the Story: Make sure to have your Buyers sign a Buyers' Agency Agreement!!!

Mar 13, 2011 04:28 AM

Do you want a Weekend Tour Guide? Or, do you want a Professional Real Estate Agent?

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Carol B.C. Honkanen

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