Hello? Have We Met? Checking Out a Buyer's Agent!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. 539MN

Michael Jacobs wrote a great post on checking out buyers’ agents.  And, just for the record, if someone submits an offer on one of my listings, you can bet that I will be doing a “background check”, too. 

 

There are so many variables when an offer is submitted that I feel the need to inform MY clients of not only how the offer is constructed, but give them background information on what, if anything, I know about how solid the agent presenting the offer is as well.

 

Sometimes, having a negative experience in the past with an agent is an indicator of future experience. 

 

Sometimes, having an inexperienced agent can mean warning signs of potential issues down the road to closing.

 

Not always in either case, but I always like to be prepared.

 

You can check out Michael’s original post here. 

 

Let him know your thoughts, too!

Posted by

Moving in Excellence!

Don Sabinske, Broker, GRI

www.donsabinske.com

Sabinske & Associates Inc.

763-350-7960

Specializing in Sherburne, Wright, Anoka and Hennepin Counties...We can help you move!

 

Comments (14)

Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

You have taught me well.  I not only check out the buyer's agents, I check out the listing agents on contracts I write.  Good post!

Jan 17, 2013 09:55 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

there is nothing wrong with doing some checking of buyer's agents, clients, or employers Don. It doesn't hurt to check things out.

Jan 17, 2013 09:56 PM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I do the same thing. In my area we know all the other agents, so this is pretty easy to do.

Jan 17, 2013 10:08 PM
Paula McDonald, Ph.D.
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

We all pretty much know one another around here as well.  However, knowing your opponent is crucial during a negotiation.

Jan 17, 2013 10:09 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Don, I too want to know about the agent I am working with, and do a check on them when time is available.

Jan 17, 2013 10:11 PM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

Good idea.  As Paula said, knowing your opponent is very important.

Jan 17, 2013 11:56 PM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Don, It's always good strategy to know who your working with on the other side of the transaction.  Sometimes that tone is set at first contact..good or bad.  Knowing who your working with can certainly make a difference.

Jan 18, 2013 12:03 AM
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Don, Yep, it just shows the seller(s) that your detailed and it's not your first rodeo. Good stuff!

Jan 18, 2013 12:38 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Don - The other agent is going to have a big impact on how the transaction plays out, but we usually just want the info for ourselves, so we know what we're getting into. We try to make it look smooth and easy for the client, no matter what chaos is occurring behind the scenes.

Jan 18, 2013 02:04 AM
Don Sabinske
Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
Sabinske & Associates Inc.

Thanks for the votes of confidence and the comments.  I don't try to scare the clients....I just want them to be aware.

Jan 18, 2013 04:02 AM
Steven Cook
No Longer Processing Mortgages. - Tacoma, WA

Don -- I think that Dick has summarized it well.  Especially about trying to keep things smooth for the client.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Jan 18, 2013 04:12 AM
Suesan Jenifer Therriault
JTHIS-Professional Home Inspection Team - Blakeslee, PA
"Inspecting every purchase as if it were my own".

I've never seen any harm in finding out a little something about someone I'm going to be working with or recommending. Seems logical to me to know who you are about to get into negotiations with.

Jan 18, 2013 10:18 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hi Don -- thanks for the mention in your post --- checking out the other agent can make a transaction much smoother.    

Jan 19, 2013 12:15 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By eXp Realty - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Don- This was a great post. Knowing who you're working with is important and often prepares you for how the transaction will go as you progress to closing.

Feb 22, 2013 03:22 AM

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