A few questions about RE agents

It's almost time for us to get out there and we need to research the whole RE agent thing.

We're tapping into people we know, LIHP if they have any reccos, etc. on good RE agents in the area of Commack, Kings Park, Smithtown, St. James, Stony Brook etc.

I have a few questions, if you'll indulge me:

1. Are there a lot of houses out there that do not appear on MLS, that only agents can show? Or are most houses MLS because sellers are in a bad way, trying to get their houses sold? Threads like this and other things I've heard and read make me wonder if we should go it alone. I just don't know if we'll be missing out on some houses if we do it that way.

2. Can any RE agent from anywhere show houses for us? We know some other agents who don't work in the area we're looking in. I know they're not going to know the area as well, but if all we need is someone to look out for us and do the dirty work with the other RE agent, that might work.

3. Do you personally feel secure in recommending an RE agent who is good at keeping in contact, good at not being pushy or showing properties not in your criteria, and at least 95% honest?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Message edited 7/17/2007 8:54:57 AM.

Re: A few questions about RE agents

being in sales myself, ironically I'm not a fan of RE agents especially since my parents have sold 3 homes FSBO in the past without RE agents. I do see benefits, but I know when we are ready to sell we won't use one. Luckily my father is a RE attorney and helps big time.

Re: A few questions about RE agents

Well we just closed on our house last week and we used a REA. For us, we didn't want to have to deal with all different REA every time you find another house anywhere whether in the paper or online you would be dealing with a different agent that doesn't know you likes and dislikes. Of course you can find that the first REA you call to see a house could wind up being your REA for the rest of the process of finding a house. I think there are lots of benefits to having your own REA. Just remember you aren't paying them in the end, the sellers are. You can also find yourself a REA that is for the Buyer - "Buyers Agent". They can tell you everything, because they aren't for the seller. Even though you might solely be working with one REA, they still have the sellers of any house in their best interest. With a Buyers Agent you have to sign paperwork that they work for you only. We didn't do this, but that is because we new our REA. GL with your hunting!

Re: A few questions about RE agents

We took someone's recommendation on a REA and began to hate her after a month. Okay, well, hate is strong, but we strongly disliked working with her, so we dropped her.

ETA: Our REA was very pushy and making us look at homes that didn't have some of the basics we wanted (IE: Garage), and telling us that we were looking at too expensive houses when the bank said we could afford it. For this reason, we began to get extremely frustrated with her.

Since this point, I've met some of the REA on this site and talked with them and they helped answer questions for me as we went through the contracts, and closing, etc.

Then, we decided to deal directly with listing agents on specific homes we were interested in. This worked out well for us and bought our house through the listing agent. She was very helpful answering questions on the house and even gave us a bottle of wine to celebrate at closing, along with a large sum gift card to Home Depot.

Message edited 7/17/2007 10:03:50 AM.