Changing buyer's agent?

18 years ago

Hi,

Just curious on opinions... Thoughts on switching?

We are currently actively working with one buyer's agent but are not very satisfied with the level of service for various reasons. We have not signed anything based on that individuals recommendation in the event we are not happy with their service, so it seems to me to be a honest deal/situation.

One property we are currently interested in exploring involves some leg work on the part of this particular agent who doesn't seem to want to "go there".

There are other reasons for dissatisfaction up to and including the agent expressing her personal opinions on properties we previously visited (about 5 properties in total) and what she "likes" and "doesn't like" about the house features - many of which we disagree on.

My view is the buyer's agent should be willing to offer solicited advice (within legal parameters) and only offer unsolicited advice only when given the OK (if there is such a thing).

Another agent we've been in contact with in the past (formal meet & greet only) seems to be on the ball and up to any challenge. Not yet proven though by actual experience of working with him.

Thoughts?

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Comments (3)

cordovamom
18 years ago
If you're not working well with your agent -- by all means switch to an agent that better fits your buying style. Although I would have an ethical problem with negotiating a deal through a second agent on a home the first agent has shown you. But that's just me.

As far as advice from an agent, whether solicited or unsolicited, I have a different view. I prefer to get any and all advice and cull from it what I need and discard the rest. I don't think you can have too much advice when buying a home.
User
18 years ago
I would normally agree with cordovamom that if one agent showed you the house you have an obligation to make the offer through him, but we once switched agents mid-stream. Our agent showed us a house, an absolute horror of a fixer-upper. We wanted to make an offer but when we told the agent the price we wanted to offer, he refused to write up a contract with such a low offer, and wanted us to make it $10K more. We refused, called another agent who happily wrote up the offer, and the sellers accepted it with no counter.
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sparksals
18 years ago
I think it's a mistake not to want unsolicited advice from your agent. Many times, my agent offered suggestions/advice for things that I wouldn't have considered or noticed.

In one house we looked at that I liked, she noticed water marks in the basement down the wall that I didn't see. Are you saying you wouldn't want your agent pointing this out? I didn't notice water stains on the ceiling in another house, yet while I was looking at the house on a whole, she was looking at things that could cause a problem.

When looking for houses in Tucson, our agent suggested we strongly consider school district when buying even though we don't have kids. She advised this b/c school district is important to resale value. I didn't know that and I appreciated her opinion.

It doesn't matter if you agree or disagree on her opinions, but I think it's part of their job to give advice or point out issues of which you may not notice or be aware.