So upset!

[judy]

I was so upset yesterday! I forgot to lock my door, I forgot where the park was, I was so upset.

I got a call from the realtor I have been waiting for since February,basically dumping me as a client! It would be too hard, she'd have to get keys from all the realtors, blah, blah, blah. This isn't her geographical area, but she said she would help me find a place anyway. I felt comfortable with her because she was my daughter's realtor.

I've never bought real estate before, and it's scary. I didn't want to go to somebody cold. At least my daughter knows her.

She told me that she had found another realtor who covers the area I'm looking in. I called her to find that she does not cover that area! I felt like I was just being discarded, and we had planned to go look at some places today.

Then, last night, she called me back and told me that she and the second realtor had spoken and found someone who does cover my area. He's supposed to call me today. I felt a lot better. At least she was trying for me.

If this guy doesn't come through, I know another agent who I will use. I've spoken to her, she knows the area I want and that's that.

I think I'm over it, but yesterday I was a mess!

Wait until my daughter hears! She had a feeling, but I wanted to wait for this woman.

[DianaB]

I don't understand why she waited until now (April) to tell you that you weren't in her area. She should have known that at the beginning so you could have already had another realtor already. At least she's trying to help you out by finding another one for you. I hope that everything works out and you find just the right place!!

[Tink]

Judy, when your agent doesn't come through for you, remind yourself who's the boss and who's the agent. There should be no hesitation on their part to do what is best for you as long as it's legal, ethical and possible. I think with the high prices they get for properties now, some have become spoiled and don't want to work as hard as they might once have.

If that's the case with yours, by all means find another one. When you consider they're going to get at least 1.5% of whatever you pay for a property, they'd better be willing to work for it too.

Often if you find someone who's a bit more "hungry" they'll work harder to make the sale.

[Janet]

Tinks right! But I'm so sorry you were that upset to forget to lock your door and know where the park is.

I think I would have been mad enough by now, she would have been history, I woudn't have cared who knew her.

[AngieDoogles]

I would be so frustrated! I'm sorry you had to go through all that. Did you know that Gina is a realtor? Maybe she knows someone who can help you find something in the area you want. Good luck!

[Shada]

You are so right Judy, buying a home is so stressful...

I wish you all the best, and hope you get the perfect agent that will find you the perfect home!

Just remember, they are working 'for you', they get a large commission, (6 or 7 percent in my area) many don't care what they are selling you, they are only looking out for themselves.
Make a list of what you want, and do not settle for less. Your home is out there waiting for you.

[judy]

Well...sometimes life gives you lemonade!

The new agent called me today. He's President of the Ulster County RE Board or something like that, so I'm thinking he's pretty good.

Anyway, I have an appt. to meet him up in Kingston next Thursday
at 10 AM. There are 3 condos in the same development. Kingston has some rough areas, but this is about 1 mile away from the uptown stockades. That's one good area (gentrified). The other is downtown by the river and that's the young, party side of town.

They're trying to develop the town. Being 61, I don't have time for such things. I'll just move to the good side of town, thank you!

Anyway, I'm very happy with this new realtor.

You never know how things will actually turn out!

[Gina]

Oh Boy!!! I have got to step in here. To much knocking on realtors.... I have to agree and disagree with a few.. Sorry! Number one we do not get 6 percent or 7 percent. If that were true I be rich. When an agent takes a 6 percent listing. 3% goes to the buyers agent for they are the ones who will procure the buyer, and the other 3 % is in house. In which the listing agent will spend the money marketing the home, doing open houses. etc. The listing agents job is to market your home. Out of the 3% the agent has to give her broker a split, that is based on your commission split, it varies from agent to agent. Most agents will negotiate a commision so you can have them take it at 5 % etc.

I work very hard for my clients and don't do it for the love of money. Yes it is very rewarding when I get my paycheck. But people fail to realize that we do not get paid until the deal closes. There are many buyers that drag us all around show them about 20 houses or so and then they will be disloyal to you. Thank God this doesn't happen to often, most of my clients are loyal to me. We spend lots of money on gas and its a gamble if they will remain true to you. I am very accessible and very statistical . I show both my buyers and sellers what the market is calling for and am very honest and ethnical.There is so much more that I can't begin to tell you what I sometimes have to deal with. We work countless hrs and days and it can fall apart for any reason. So therefore we have just worked for no pay.

I do agree some are lousy agents and are in it for the money. I have come across many who make you want to say get out of the business. Judy I am sorry this happened to you . If you remember I sent you information on what to ask the realtor and to insist on having them send you listings on which you told me that they never followed through. She was wrong she should have told you from the begining that she would not be able to help you. Not wait till now. If I can't go out of my geographical area I will refer them to an agent who can. I have clients who moved out of state and I hooked them up with their agents . I interview them and make sure they meet my liking.


Judy I had offered to help you find an agent in the area, you had told me that you were going with your daughters realtor. Once again I will help you if you like, just give me a call and I will get you one asap.

[HALEY]

Judy i know where you are coming from, 4 years ago when i was looking for a house i had the same problem with one of my realtor's - i had alow budget and wanted a small family ranch house, and the house's she was showing me were trashed.. so i went with another realtor and still kept her, they wanted me to sign some kind of paper and i told them no if i wasn't happy i would go with someone else, i also did my own research on homes around my area on the computer of the houses i wanted to see and they were with different realtor's, hey if i liked the house i scheduled an appointment to go see it.. Anyways after a year of looking for a house i came across my house couldn't believe the price and they house was nice, needed some work to it, but it was an estate sale and i got it so cheap... i was very happy... plus i was single back then and i didn't need a downpayment got some kind of special loan, with 6.5% intested locked for 30 years, thinking about it now i should of took it out for 15 years instead of 30 but i wasn't thinking... I just wanted my own house.. Hopefully in 5 more years we have enough put into the house i can sell it and get a bigger house, that is my goal... i wish you luck girl, and remember your the one buying the house so your the boss! Check on line too, if you see a house you like just call them up and schedule an appointment..

[Gina]

Originally Posted by HALEY

Judy i know where you are coming from, 4 years ago when i was looking for a house i had the same problem with one of my realtor's - i had alow budget and wanted a small family ranch house, and the house's she was showing me were trashed.. so i went with another realtor and still kept her, they wanted me to sign some kind of paper and i told them no if i wasn't happy i would go with someone else, i also did my own research on homes around my area on the computer of the houses i wanted to see and they were with different realtor's, hey if i liked the house i scheduled an appointment to go see it.. Anyways after a year of looking for a house i came across my house couldn't believe the price and they house was nice, needed some work to it, but it was an estate sale and i got it so cheap... i was very happy... plus i was single back then and i didn't need a downpayment got some kind of special loan, with 6.5% intested locked for 30 years, thinking about it now i should of took it out for 15 years instead of 30 but i wasn't thinking... I just wanted my own house.. Hopefully in 5 more years we have enough put into the house i can sell it and get a bigger house, that is my goal... i wish you luck girl, and remember your the one buying the house so your the boss! Check on line too, if you see a house you like just call them up and schedule an appointment..

yep Judy like Haley said your the boss!!! Don't settle interview a few.

Haley sometimes people want the Taj Mahal at a certain price it is not going to happen... When a person gives me a price I stay within his budget and don't push homes that they cannot afford. We have to be realistic here, and with what has been happening with mortgages many people with bad credit will not be able to buy a home today. It has gotten so out of hand in the past years.

You hear all the horror stories what about the good ones..


Remember get the whole picture before you come down on the whole industry... Yes there are many bad ones that make the honest and decent ones look bad..


I wonder how many of you would hold a job where you work hard and your employer decides not to pay you. Think about it.

I just want to reiterate INTERVIEW agents , ask them questions...

One other bit of advice- When buying a home without a realtor make sure that house is price correctly. I am working with a seller who brought through a home owner and she over paid for it two years ago. Now she will get less than what she paid. Market dropped and she overpaid. Be educated .

[Janet]

Gina, you are so sweet to tell a Realtors side and in such a nice non-definsive way. I hope there is some way Judy can get with you for some help.

Judy, I'm not sure about Condos. Arent' they kind of like two or more homes in the same building? Having dogs and you never know as they age or if they are now...barkers and then neighbors become enemies.

I'm sure Gina would have more info on them. It's just that I'm all for having my own place far enough away from anyone else, that I don't bother them and they sure as heck don't bother me.

[HALEY]

Gina, your also right, i knew my budget and i would have to do a lot of fixing up.. But like i said i did get lucky on this house, the family just wanted the money and wanted to sell fast. the house had no home warrenty nothing so i took a chance, i had a lot of money saved up for the breakdowns and believe there was enough of them almost sucked my savings up, but Thank God little by little we been remolding it. It's starting to look like a nice home. I knew my budget and my husband and my close friends helped me alot to fix it up.. Which saved me tons of money. But its a started home. Hopefully well have a bigger home in a couple of years but i'm happy with where im at now.
The second realtor i got was wonderful, i knew about this house before it went on the market, i got lucky with her, and when i look for another house, you betta i'll be getting Gina again...

[judy]

Originally Posted by Gina

Oh Boy!!! I have got to step in here. To much knocking on realtors.... I have to agree and disagree with a few.. Sorry! Number one we do not get 6 percent or 7 percent. If that were true I be rich. When an agent takes a 6 percent listing. 3% goes to the buyers agent for they are the ones who will procure the buyer, and the other 3 % is in house. In which the listing agent will spend the money marketing the home, doing open houses. etc. The listing agents job is to market your home. Out of the 3% the agent has to give her broker a split, that is based on your commission split, it varies from agent to agent. Most agents will negotiate a commision so you can have them take it at 5 % etc.

I work very hard for my clients and don't do it for the love of money. Yes it is very rewarding when I get my paycheck. But people fail to realize that we do not get paid until the deal closes. There are many buyers that drag us all around show them about 20 houses or so and then they will be disloyal to you. Thank God this doesn't happen to often, most of my clients are loyal to me. We spend lots of money on gas and its a gamble if they will remain true to you. I am very accessible and very statistical . I show both my buyers and sellers what the market is calling for and am very honest and ethnical.There is so much more that I can't begin to tell you what I sometimes have to deal with. We work countless hrs and days and it can fall apart for any reason. So therefore we have just worked for no pay.

I do agree some are lousy agents and are in it for the money. I have come across many who make you want to say get out of the business. Judy I am sorry this happened to you . If you remember I sent you information on what to ask the realtor and to insist on having them send you listings on which you told me that they never followed through. She was wrong she should have told you from the begining that she would not be able to help you. Not wait till now. If I can't go out of my geographical area I will refer them to an agent who can. I have clients who moved out of state and I hooked them up with their agents . I interview them and make sure they meet my liking.


Judy I had offered to help you find an agent in the area, you had told me that you were going with your daughters realtor. Once again I will help you if you like, just give me a call and I will get you one asap.

I remember that list, but it's probably in my laptop, which I'll be getting back sometime next week.

Thanks for the advice - I'm seeing him next Thursday. Do you think that he's Pres. of the Ulster County RE Board makes a difference?

Everyone - thanks for the advice! Yes, some realtors stink, but my daughter was in the business, in the office, years ago. It's hard work!

Haley - you were very lucky! I also don't want to spend a lot and want a nice place in a nice community. My own place at this point in my life Janet is just too much work. I've never owned a house,
and surely don't want to learn how now. I'm also going alone, so I'd like a community. I may not like everybody, but at least I'll know people.

I'm just excited that I'm at least beginning to look at places.

[Tink]

Gina, I too was a Realtor for about 4 yrs till my health wouldn't allow me to work the long hours. I loved it but got calls at 6 am from the farmers and at times found myself still in the office at 1 am doing paperwork. The job has a lot of great perks but working part time isn't one of them if you want to be successful. Not only do you not get paid until a sale closes, but if you're not willing/able to drop everything and run when a client calls they will often just drop you and call someone who will.

And you're right, it's the bad ones everyone hears about... just like anything else.

[Gina]

Originally Posted by Tink

Gina, I too was a Realtor for about 4 yrs till my health wouldn't allow me to work the long hours. I loved it but got calls at 6 am from the farmers and at times found myself still in the office at 1 am doing paperwork. The job has a lot of great perks but working part time isn't one of them if you want to be successful. Not only do you not get paid until a sale closes, but if you're not willing/able to drop everything and run when a client calls they will often just drop you and call someone who will.

And you're right, it's the bad ones everyone hears about... just like anything else.

Tink you got that right I am not mad and I hope that I didn't come off that way. I just get annoyed when people categorize all the realtors.We are all entitled to our opinions. There is always two sides. Boy can I go on and on...lol I do it full time and sometimes I don't have a life. People do think they own you and you have to jump I agree.

End of conversation!! lol