From: "Jeff Strickland" 
Newsgroups: misc.invest.real-estate alt.invest.real-estate.methods alt.org.natl-assn-mortgage-brokers
Subject: Re: Your team
Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2005 17:06:03 -0700


"Don"  wrote in message
news:Mflxe.73533$wr.66320@clgrps12...
> "Jeff Strickland"  wrote in message
> news:35ednT6HIq2fSFjfRVn-ow@ez2.net...
>
> > Fine. Set out on your own to buy a house in a city you are not familiar
> > with, in neighborhoods where you have no idea what's going on. When you
> > tire of driving around aimlessly week after week, let us know.
>
> Yes, I agree; someone who sets out to buy a house in a strange city,
either
> with or without the help of an agent, is in a very weak position and prone
> to financial loss. For someone relocating to another city, I think a lot
is
> to be said to renting for the first year while becoming more familiar with
> the neighborhoods, house prices, etc. But for the vast majority of people
> who are house-hunting in their own familiar city, I would suggest exactly
> what you say: Drive around a lot, not aimlessly but systematically, and
look
> at what is available.
>
>

A Buyer's Agent that is worth a shit can do the driving for you, and he is
paid by the seller. I think it is a rare buyer that can actually find a home
on his own. You can do it, and I managed to do it once, but when I bought my
second home, I bought a new house where a buyer's agent isn't very helpful.
Buying a new house and buying a used house are completely different
transactions.