I've recently written a couple of posts about short sales for home buyers, and in one I mentioned that some agents don't ever show their buyer clients short sales. I said, "They have good reasons, don't get me wrong."
But then, I was challenged by Russel Ray, a San Diego home inspector, to explain what those reasons are. He said, "... personally I think an agent should show a buyer anything that is within the price range they've been preapproved for."
So here's some of the reasons I've heard, as to why some agents won't show short sales to homebuyers.
1. "They're hard, and they take a long time." 
2. "The buyer could end up with no house at all, after waiting a long time, and the agent could get blamed. Then, they would go find another agent and I'm out all that time and effort with no paycheck."
3. "I want a paycheck sooner rather than later."
All the other reasons I can think of off the top of my head are variations of those three.
So now, I need to clarify. I agree 100% with Russel. But when it comes to short sales, I always thoroughly explain the toughness of the situation, before a home buyer gets too far into the emotional draw of those great prices.
And then, when they find a beautiful, well-priced short sale online, and ask to see it, I explain again.
Then, when they are looking at that beautiful, well-priced short sale - even though it may have more deficiencies than were evident in the online photos - I explain again.
Of course, as the process unfolds I'm gathering information for them, you can read more about that in my post below. If they still want to write an offer, I support them fully and try, try, try to get regular updates.
And now you may have figured out that when I said agents who don't ever show short sales 'have good reasons', I was being polite. Really, I think agents SHOULD show short sales if their clients are informed, and want to see them. In my opinion, agents who decide for their client without even discussing it with them, are doing their clients a disservice.
I certainly wouldn't want to be treated that way!
Other posts about buying a short sale:
Short Sales are Tough - What's a Buyer to Do?
Can You Buy a Short Sale? Yes, if ...
Are Short Sales Listed at 'Bait and Switch' Prices?
What Happened to the Short Sales?
What's a Short Sale? (this post is written to sellers, but home buyers can learn a lot too.)
The Special Fun of Buying Short Sales
Who's on Your Side When You Buy a House?
Buy a House and Get the Best Deal
A Word of Encouragement During a Tough Short Sale
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I write posts on real estate issues and local events in the Denver metro area, especially those *communities between Denver and Boulder, as a public service. My hope is to give people an idea of the 'flavor' of our community, in case they're new or moving to the Denver area.
I am a residential real estate agent, happily helping folks buy a house or sell a house in the beautiful and friendly *suburbs northwest of Denver.
*Arvada, Broomfield, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Westminster; also Thornton, Golden, Wheat Ridge, Northglen, Lakewood
Read more about Arvada Colorado, a historic small town between Denver and Boulder.
Find Homes for Sale, no Matter Who Listed Them, at Dream House Hunting.
Copyright © 2011 Joetta Fort
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