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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
Last night we went to look at a house listed as "Excellent" on MLSLI. The listing REA warned us it needed a new heating system and new windows...I was already thinking not so excellent.
The one bathroom HAD NO WALL...The owner explained he tore down the wall with plans to expand, but hadn't bothered. The toilet was next to a mess of exposed pipes.
It was a high ranch, and it had a deck off the second floor. The deck had no railing on one side. That's right...Keep walking and you'd fall 2 floors.
The REA admitted that she hires a prof. photographer who retouches the photos before they get posted on MLSLI.
 Why is this so difficult?! And it's not like the homes we are looking at are that cheap!
We didn't sign with a buyer's agent yet because some people said we may have to pay their fee in some cases...So this was the seller's agent showing the house.
Message edited 2/8/2008 2:21:34 PM.
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Posted 2/8/08 1:58 PM  |
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Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource | Long Island Weddings |
Mrs-D-Girl
Love my fur baby
Member since 8/07 5183 total posts
Name:
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Re: So frustrated with REA...
IMO - I say hire a new Agent
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| Posted 2/8/08 2:04 PM |
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MegZee
My bunny
Member since 5/06 8777 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: So frustrated with REA...
i cant stand when they retouch photos. it shouldn't be allowed.
i sent you an FM...hang in there, you'll find your house!!!
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| Posted 2/8/08 2:04 PM |
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bicosi
life is a carousel
Member since 7/07 14956 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: So frustrated with REA...
Get another agent!
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| Posted 2/8/08 2:09 PM |
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Re: So frustrated with REA...
Def look into getting a new agent.
Our REA would never bring us into a house that looked like that, and if she'd never seen it before she'd be embarassed and profusely apologize to us for it!!
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| Posted 2/8/08 2:16 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: So frustrated with REA...
Posted by Mrs-D-Girl
IMO - I say hire a new Agent
We didn't sign with a buyer agent yet, so this was the REA selling that house. We started looking recently and I don't want to commit to one agent yet...
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| Posted 2/8/08 2:18 PM |
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danielleandscott
My new 71 Super Beetle
Member since 5/05 13476 total posts
Name:
Scott
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
Thank god she isnt your agent. She can get into a lot of trouble retouching photos....All you had to do is complain to the real estate board and she will lose her liscence....Its fraudulant advertising.
Where are you looking?
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| Posted 2/8/08 2:27 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
Posted by danielleandscott
Thank god she isnt your agent. She can get into a lot of trouble retouching photos....All you had to do is complain to the real estate board and she will lose her liscence....Its fraudulant advertising.
Where are you looking?
In Suffolk, but we're all over the place. Setauket, Stony Brook, Nesconset, Ronkonkoma, Smithtown....
She told us about the pics. because she was trying to convince us to use her as the listing agent when we sell our condo! I told her our condo doesn't need retouching (it really doesn't; it's in perfect condition and everything is updated...seeing all these houses make me want to stay in the condo forever!).
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| Posted 2/8/08 2:36 PM |
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MsSissy
xoxoxo
Member since 3/07 39159 total posts
Name:
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
Posted by nov04libride
In Suffolk, but we're all over the place. Setauket, Stony Brook, Nesconset, Ronkonkoma, Smithtown....
All very nice areas.....Good Luck something will come along.
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| Posted 2/8/08 2:38 PM |
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cjik
Welcome 2010!
Member since 2/06 8879 total posts
Name:
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
I'm not even sure you really need a buyer's agent--this market is so bad, and there are good realtors out there who I am sure want to sell their houses. JMO, I'd hate to spend the money on one. I might hire one in a hot market, but I really don't think you need one now.
If you are really sick of dealing with this agent, want a buyer's agent and don't know who to hire, go to some open houses. Talk to the agents there and see which ones you like.
You really have the upper hand here, if you don't like this agent, don't work with the person anymore.
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| Posted 2/8/08 2:39 PM |
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~Colleen~
my loves...
Member since 5/05 9129 total posts
Name:
guess
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
"Excellent" in RE lingo means "not too scary, but needs work".
I agree with the PP, I'd skip signing with a buyer's agent. Especially with this market.
Have you done the open house circuit? Sometimes you'll find a REA that you feel comfortable with at one of the OHs.
Good luck!!
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| Posted 2/8/08 2:43 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
Posted by cjik
I'm not even sure you really need a buyer's agent--this market is so bad, and there are good realtors out there who I am sure want to sell their houses. JMO, I'd hate to spend the money on one. I might hire one in a hot market, but I really don't think you need one now.
If you are really sick of dealing with this agent, want a buyer's agent and don't know who to hire, go to some open houses. Talk to the agents there and see which ones you like.
You really have the upper hand here, if you don't like this agent, don't work with the person anymore.
See, I don't think I understand the whole buyer agent thing. Do they split the commission with the listing agent, or do we pay them out of pocket? I'd definitely rather do it on my own as opposed to paying out of pocket.
We've gone to Open Houses...I just always get my hopes up so high after seeing gorgeous pics online, only to be disappointed in person. 
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| Posted 2/8/08 2:45 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
Posted by ~Colleen~
"Excellent" in RE lingo means "not too scary, but needs work".
That's what I thought too, but this one should have been in the "Needs TLC" category!
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| Posted 2/8/08 2:46 PM |
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BlueDiamonds
mommy to 3 boys
Member since 2/07 3885 total posts
Name:
proud mommy
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
I feel your pain. We've been hunting for a while and it does get frustrating. The best advice I can give you is to try and find an agent that you like. We hooked up with an agent at an open house and she's been great. The more she takes us out, the better she gets to know what we want. Then you won't waste as much time looking at crap. In the end, when you find the house, you will be happy you decided to stick through it. GOod luck!
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| Posted 2/8/08 3:02 PM |
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PotofLuck06
Our Baby Boy Is Here!!!
Member since 11/06 13241 total posts
Name:
Betsy
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
IMO - find another agent, or go the route we went.
When we didn't like working with our REA, we decided since I was doing most of the work anyways in finding homes that I would call the listing agent on any home we were interested in seeing and ask them if we could see the house and have them answer questions for us.
Worked out for us, we talked with the agent on the home we bought, and she was able to get the owner to come down on price for us cause we were a nice couple with the financial means to buy a house and put $$ down at closing.
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| Posted 2/8/08 3:34 PM |
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lorich
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Member since 6/05 9987 total posts
Name:
Grammie says "Lora Gina"
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
HOLY! That house is a death trap! How frightening! How can a house be on the market w/a missing wall in the bathroom & NO RAILING on the porch ON THE SECOND FLOOR!  I'm getting shakey legs just thinking about it!
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| Posted 2/8/08 4:18 PM |
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KartveliT
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Member since 1/08 8363 total posts
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
Posted by nov04libride
Last night we went to look at a house listed as "Excellent" on MLSLI. The listing REA warned us it needed a new heating system and new windows...I was already thinking not so excellent.
The one bathroom HAD NO WALL...The owner explained he tore down the wall with plans to expand, but hadn't bothered. The toilet was next to a mess of exposed pipes.
It was a high ranch, and it had a deck off the second floor. The deck had no railing on one side. That's right...Keep walking and you'd fall 2 floors.
The REA admitted that she hires a prof. photographer who retouches the photos before they get posted on MLSLI.
Why is this so difficult?! And it's not like the homes we are looking at are that cheap!
We didn't sign with a buyer's agent yet because some people said we may have to pay their fee in some cases...So this was the seller's agent showing the house.
omg I had no idea they could do that=retouched the pics, good to know , thanks. you should get a new agent.
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| Posted 2/8/08 4:48 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
Posted by PotofLuck06
IMO - find another agent, or go the route we went.
When we didn't like working with our REA, we decided since I was doing most of the work anyways in finding homes that I would call the listing agent on any home we were interested in seeing and ask them if we could see the house and have them answer questions for us.
Worked out for us, we talked with the agent on the home we bought, and she was able to get the owner to come down on price for us cause we were a nice couple with the financial means to buy a house and put $$ down at closing.
That's how we've been doing it...The problem is that since we're dealing with the seller's agent, I don't feel confident that they have our best interest at heart.
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| Posted 2/8/08 5:26 PM |
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JessInCA
live laugh love
Member since 8/06 5082 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
Posted by nov04libride
See, I don't think I understand the whole buyer agent thing. Do they split the commission with the listing agent, or do we pay them out of pocket? I'd definitely rather do it on my own as opposed to paying out of pocket.
Unless things work really differently in NY than they do in CA - and they might, so I could totally be wrong - they split the commission with the listing agent. The home sellers pay a percentage of the sale price of the home, which gets split between the buyers agent and the listing agent.
We didn't have to pay the agent anything when we bought our house, and neither has anyone I know who bought out here. Why don't you look into finding a buyer's agent you like, and ask them how it works to be sure? I think it'd be to your advantage to have one, so they know what you're looking for, have your interests in mind, and won't take you to houses that are half falling apart!
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| Posted 2/8/08 6:55 PM |
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cjik
Welcome 2010!
Member since 2/06 8879 total posts
Name:
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
You can hire an agent to find a home for you, and this is what is usually referred to as a buyer's agent. You pay them a commission, but they are working for you, not the seller.
If you go with the realtor representing a house, you don't pay them a fee, but they technically represent the seller and not you, thus they have the seller's interests at heart, not yours. Most decent agents will make this clear when you meet them.
So there are advantages to a buyer's agent, but given the number of homes on the market these days and the length of time most linger, I personally don't think you need one.
Good luck! It's a hard process. At some point, we did lower our expectations a bit, though there were some things we decided were must haves and we did find a home with those.
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| Posted 2/8/08 7:20 PM |
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MrsD06
LIF Toddler
Member since 9/07 478 total posts
Name:
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
I feel like I remember reading here recently that if you're working with a seller's agent, they're not allowed to give you info on comps, etc. How do you find that information in that situation? (or am I just wrong?  )
Are there any other disadvantages related to infromation that could arise from working with a seller's agent? Is there anything they could hold back on as far as the listing or info about the house?
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| Posted 2/8/08 7:45 PM |
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BigB
C & J are 10!
Member since 6/05 5914 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
Never sign with a buyers agent.....It is a PITA! Always go through the sellers agent!
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| Posted 2/8/08 8:49 PM |
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MrsERod
Praying for Everyone.
Member since 5/05 26170 total posts
Name:
MrsERod™®
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
Posted by nov04libride
Posted by cjik
I'm not even sure you really need a buyer's agent--this market is so bad, and there are good realtors out there who I am sure want to sell their houses. JMO, I'd hate to spend the money on one. I might hire one in a hot market, but I really don't think you need one now.
If you are really sick of dealing with this agent, want a buyer's agent and don't know who to hire, go to some open houses. Talk to the agents there and see which ones you like.
You really have the upper hand here, if you don't like this agent, don't work with the person anymore.
See, I don't think I understand the whole buyer agent thing. Do they split the commission with the listing agent, or do we pay them out of pocket? I'd definitely rather do it on my own as opposed to paying out of pocket.
We've gone to Open Houses...I just always get my hopes up so high after seeing gorgeous pics online, only to be disappointed in person.
With the way the market is now, 9 times out of 10 the Listing Agent offers compensation to the Buyer's Agent. Therefore, the compensation gets paid from the proceeds of the sale at closing...(sellers pay)
Those listing agents that do NOT offer compensation to a Buyer's Agent are foolish IMO, because it's a buyers market! Sellers have representation, why shouldn't Buyers?
Have you considered having an agent preview homes for you prior to you going to see them? At the very least, it would weed out those "Excellent" homes that aren't so excellent.
Good luck, and keep us posted!
p.s. - i think the retouching of photos is not only unethical, but its gross misrepresentation!
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| Posted 2/8/08 9:52 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
Posted by MrsD06
I feel like I remember reading here recently that if you're working with a seller's agent, they're not allowed to give you info on comps, etc. How do you find that information in that situation? (or am I just wrong? )
Are there any other disadvantages related to infromation that could arise from working with a seller's agent? Is there anything they could hold back on as far as the listing or info about the house?
I was finding comps on zillow.com.
I was sure some people said that the buyer agent splits the commission with the seller agent though!
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| Posted 2/8/08 9:53 PM |
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MrsERod
Praying for Everyone.
Member since 5/05 26170 total posts
Name:
MrsERod™®
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Re: So frustrated with REA and the house hunt...
Posted by nov04libride
Posted by MrsD06
I feel like I remember reading here recently that if you're working with a seller's agent, they're not allowed to give you info on comps, etc. How do you find that information in that situation? (or am I just wrong? )
Are there any other disadvantages related to infromation that could arise from working with a seller's agent? Is there anything they could hold back on as far as the listing or info about the house?
I was finding comps on zillow.com.
I was sure some people said that the buyer agent splits the commission with the seller agent though!
Zillow is not always accurate. The Buyer's Agent can provide you with more accurate comps directly from MLS. And yes, in most cases, the buyer agent gets paid from the commission due from the seller...
HTH
Message edited 2/8/2008 10:03:19 PM.
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| Posted 2/8/08 10:02 PM |
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