Know Who Your Real Estate Agent Really Represents

When buying a house one thing you can do to put yourself at a disadvantage is to call the real estate agent or office listed on the sign out front!  

I am not casting character aspersions on any real estate agent or office as I am both a buyer and sellers real estate agent.

Listing agents (and their office) represent  the seller - even if you call them up!  

I always caution the same thing whenever folks are considering new construction properties.  The sales representative in the builder's model home represent the builder first and foremost!

Florida real estate laws prohibit dual agency (i.e. representing both sides to a real estate transaction in a fiduciary capacity).  This is not to say a single agent can not be the transaction agent working "for the transaction."   

The main thing  is to know up front who the real estate agent is looking out for in a fiduciary capacity.

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida, representing buyers and sellers in Brevard County, Florida.

This is not to be considered as legal advice in any way as I am not an attorney.

Hey, You just missed your Viera Florida buyer and I can't do a thing about it!

A real estate agent called to schedule a Saturday showing of one of my listings. He wanted to show it between 9 and 10:30 tomorrow morning. Apparently he has an out of town buyer who has limited time here who must see homes and make a decision!

His schedule is pretty tight so he has very little flexibility. Besides, if he is like me, he has a route planned out that shows the properties in a sequence which limits the extra miles. With the price of gas, I can understand that too. As a buyer's agent he only gets paid when his client buys!

The owner said to reschedule because the kids need to sleep late. They have been on spring break all week so I don't understand! Where is the motivation?

The other agent told my office "With the inventory available to choose from, we will look at the others." Then he asks the important question - "Doesn't the seller know this?"

Sure the seller knows this. This makes me wonder about seller motivation. As your agent I do all I can to get the potential buyer in your house. How about a little help?

Your buyer for your Viera home may be buying another home this weekend and I can't do a thing about it.

But, you, as the seller, can, , no, MUST do something!!

If you really want to sell your Viera or Suntree home, call me. I will sell it. All I ask is your cooperation. Selling is this market IS A TEAM EFFORT!

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida. Call me at 321-255-2600 or email me at agent@moving2brevard.com . Please rad my other blog at www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com and visit my web site www.moving2brevard.com .

Appreciate business when it comes your way!

I received a call yesterday from an out of state prospective buyer. Actually he had already been working with a real estate agent and had just returned home. For whatever reasons his relationship with that agent had soured and he was seeking another.

Apparently this other agent had made an issue (sounded like one of many) during the weekend about not writing a contract/offer that did not pay him "XXX" amount. If you are not aware, real estate agents who work with the buyer (buyer's agent) get paid by the seller. There are a few cases where the buyer's pay their agent something but those are special arrangements. Anyway, as a buyer you should not have anything to do with what your agent is gets paid.

Making your compensation an issue for your client is completely inappropriate. In this market any agent who has buyer clients who are really buying - not just looking - needs to work for them and not complain.

I have heard it said that some people are never happy....It is either too hot, too cold, too sunny, too cloudy, too humid, too dry, etc! If you are a real estate agent and fortunate enough to be selected by a client to represent them, you should be "too happy" and grateful for the business!

Finding a new home is a challenging and stressful (at times) process. Having a complaining agent should not be a part of the process!

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne, Florida. Opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author. Please read my other blog at http://www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com/ .

How is the Brevard County Real Estate Market this week?

You can read all the reports or listen to all the talking heads for the status of the current Brevard County real estate market, but why? You want to know how the market is, ask a full time real estate agent. Their week will tell you the real story!

I have had a busy week. It is Friday evening and what have I done this week? Let's see -

• Showed rental property to one client
• Emailed rental listings to two new clients
• Worked with a new buyer interested in one of my listings
• Spoke with a new client who had chosen me because of my other blog (http://www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com/
• Working with an interested seller of commercial property in Melbourne
• Referred a seller client to an agent in Volousia County Florida
• Conducted an Open House on Sunday with 8 visitors (4 are serious buyer prospects)
• Prepared two BPOs on pre-foreclosure properties for lenders
• Spent three productive days in the office

So, what is the Viera, Suntree and Rockledge Florida market like? I say it is picking up! The showings of my listings have been robust. The inquiries from buyers have been increased. Activity on my blogs (this one and) http://www.moving2brevard.blogspot.com/ ) has been increased.

I say the market is rebounding! Great news for sellers! Great news as buyers are realizing the opportunities are out there!

Interested in buying or selling a Viera, Rockledge, Suntree or North Melbourne FLorida property? Call me...email me.....

Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Melbourne Florida. I can be reached at 321-255-2600 or by email to agent@moving2brevard.com .