From: "Caliban" 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: finding buyer's agent after first look at a house
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2003 13:59:55 GMT


"JD"  wrote in message
news:wdE1b.4365$ik1.4278@newssvr27.news.prodigy.com...
>
> Caliban  wrote in message
> news:Oas0b.50$Ej6.34@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> > "JD"  wrote
> > > Caliban  wrote
> > > > "JD"  wrote
> > > > > This too is off. There are very few true buyer's agents out
there --
> > the
> > > > > kind that you sign a contract with.
> > > >
> > > > I know of three states where buyer's agent contracts are usual. From
> my
> > > > internet perusal, I suspect Georgia is one of them.
> > >
> > > Wow! Even if you're correct, that's 3/50. An amazing 6%!
> >
> > I miswrote, so it's actually 4/50 that I know for sure have provisions
for
> > buyer's agents. Searching for "buyer's agent Alabama law" on Google and
> then
> > subsequent states indicated that the first ten states (alphabetically)
all
> > have state laws describing the function of buyer's agents. I didn't
check
> > beyond the first ten.
> >
> > I gave my direct experience. Now give yours: Please list the states that
> do
> > not have legal provision for buyer's agents.
>
> I never said the legal provisions did not exist. I am reacting to your
> assertion that the practice of contracted buyer agency is "usual" and I
> doubt that you can provide any valid statistics showing any meaningful
> volume of buyer agency contracting.

I doubt you can provide statistics showing otherwise.

No big deal.

> The idea of contracted buyer's agency is relatively new in the residential
> market. Around 1990 there was a big fuss over it, primarily due to the
> efforts of one seminar guy hawking his program.
>
> They attempted to sell the idea to agents with the promise of loyal
buyers.
> The few agents who bought into it, in turn sell the idea to prospective
> buyers by promoting fear and distrust.
>
> The truth is, good agents never bought into the notion and don't need to
> hook buyers that way -- they do it with good service.

A good agent makes sure he or she can stay in business. That means not
giving away all your services.

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with a buyer's agent agreeing to a
kind of interview period, whereby the potential client can get a feel for
what he or she can do for them, then asking for a contract.

I don't see any significant difference between this and a seller's agent
listing contract.

> Most importantly, historically, the best agents, the ones with the most
> experience and longevity are those who consistently list properties.
Agents
> who push buyer's agency contracts tend to have little experience, weak
> negotiating skills and poor customer service. They tell you that they give
> you the best personal service because if they happen to hook you, you're
> likely to be the only contract they have.

Seller's agents give the same line.