Damn Todd...wish I would have known you were into this, as I am studying for the Realtor Exam myself and have learned alot as we were in the process of selling out house as well as looking at houses in case ours sold.

We were thinking on listing our house ourselves, but decided to go through a realtor instead to get the exposure on the MLS sites. A house like ours, is the equivelant of having a mansion built in the middle of a chemical dump. Not that desirable in a small town like ours, as the guy that built the house, had built a monument to himself, which we were fortunate to get cheap.

However, we had negotiated a private sale between us back in 2000 and there was much that wasn't disclosed, that is mechanically that DOES NOT show up in the Title of the property and that he didn't mention and/or disclose that we had to fix...AT OUR OWN EXPENSE and without recourse, as he knew he was having problems...as the property was sold "AS IS" when the transaction was completed...by and at OUR attorney's office...not his.

Thanks to the Realtor, that "I'm Back" thinks are worse then ambulance chasing attorneys , we were able to sell our home in a short period of time then we anticipated, because the realtor was able to bring buyers from all over to view the house...and we had to disclose whatever we knew about the house that we were aware of, which protects the BUYER...not like us. I'm even fixing things that I feel are not a problem, but so that the BUYER can have peace of mind, compared to what we encountered.

We also used a realtor to find us a house, because they are in the area we were looking to move too...and we are not. We searched the MLS services, and private sale services, but all-in-all, having someone else "scope" out properties that we may be interested in saves time, not to mention MONEY (travel, lodging, food, time loss at work).

We looked at several houses on our own, via private listing websites, and you will quickly learn that a majority of owners are not disclosing all "Material Facts" regarding their property...because they want it to sell.

We looked at one property and asked the owner if they were in a flood zone (answer = NO) or had problems with flooding in the past (answer = NO), since it is close the the Red River area which flooded bad back in 1997, the owner informed us that his property wasn't affected by the 1997 flood, yet when I did checking on my own...I discovered he was affected by the '97 flood, was in a FLOOD ZONE and has had problems every year with flooding in and around his property...this according to his neighbors who also indicated that they had problems and if he wasn't affected...he was full of Horse Sh*t.

Todd...glad to see that somebody has their own business and is able to tap into the realestate market with a service as yours! (Hats off...which I guess...according to "I'm Back", would make me a cheerleader...Oh Well!)

------------------

"The PRE10DR"

quote Originally posted by I Annoy: Actually, the going commission rate around here is 3.5% which would have been almost $9,500. I negotiated a a 3% rate which saved me $1400. So to answer your question, No I did not get $100. But then again I would rather save myself $1,400. Thanks for asking and have a nice day.

You got screwed. The going commission rate worldwide is 3%. 2.5% is very common. and I actually will often do a double ended deal for as little as 4% (2% per transaction). But more to the point, the $100 come out of my cut of the total commission which is negotiated by the buyer and their agent up front. So to put it simply, you pay NO more money than you would normally and you actually get some of it back in the end.

So it does not look like you saved yourself anything.

Next time you want to really save some money, give me a call.

quote Originally posted by fierogirls-mom: She steered us clear of the not so great parts and helped us find a home for my husband to live in that we can afford while he is away.

On a side note, they are not supposed to do this. Relators are not supposed to recommend for or against any area or property. This is so they can't "enforce" gentleman agreements regarding what races can move into what neighborhoods.

quote Originally posted by Steve Normington: On a side note, they are not supposed to do this. Relators are not supposed to recommend for or against any area or property. This is so they can't "enforce" gentleman agreements regarding what races can move into what neighborhoods.

Are they allowed to quote crime stats? I may be moving to an area that I'm not familiar with, and that will be a major factor in my decision of which part of town to end up in.

quote Originally posted by Steve Normington: On a side note, they are not supposed to do this. Relators are not supposed to recommend for or against any area or property. This is so they can't "enforce" gentleman agreements regarding what races can move into what neighborhoods.

I'd fire any agent that adhered to this.

quote Originally posted by fierobear: Are they allowed to quote crime stats? I may be moving to an area that I'm not familiar with, and that will be a major factor in my decision of which part of town to end up in.

That I don't know about. I'd say they are not, but that is just a guess. My realtor would not because she didn't want the appearance of influencing my decision about where to live.

quote Originally posted by 84SupperDuty: Nice! I've been there. Basically everywhere in Germany for that matter. Nice typing with you but you California guys have me by three hours and Darlene will be calling me at the crack of dawn when she reads what the hell went on here tonight. Lights out!

We lived over there in the sixties, my dad was a first sergeant at the time and the currency exchange rate was great, when we came back to the states us six kids had a reality check though!
We travelled all over Germany and had a great time, iI have two cousins living over there now, hope to visit soon.

Toddster,
I think that your benevolence needs to be proven in light of the accusations made.
It will clear your conscience and prove to the rest of the forum members, your honorable intentions.
Pokeyfiero, Fierobear, and I will meet you at Jacks Steakhouse in Morgan Hill.

quote Originally posted by trailboss: Toddster, I think that your benevolence needs to be proven in light of the accusations made. It will clear your conscience and prove to the rest of the forum members, your honorable intentions. Pokeyfiero, Fierobear, and I will meet you at Jacks Steakhouse in Morgan Hill.

Here here.
I like my steak rare.

quote Originally posted by Steve Normington: On a side note, they are not supposed to do this. Relators are not supposed to recommend for or against any area or property. This is so they can't "enforce" gentleman agreements regarding what races can move into what neighborhoods.

This is true and not true. A Realtor is not supposed to steer you to a place based on prejudice but if you, the buyer, specify that you want a place with large lots, x number of beds rooms, low crime, etc. Then he is more apt that not to end up showing you the homes you would be most interested in.

If a Realtor says something like, "You don't want to live in that neighborhood, too many of the wrong kinda people". LET ME KNOW. I'll personally report him to the NAR.

Trailboss, Lunch at Jack's Steakhouse sounds like a winner. When did you have in mind?

quote Originally posted by Toddster: This is true and not true. A Realtor is not supposed to steer you to a place based on prejudice but if you, the buyer, specify that you want a place with large lots, x number of beds rooms, low crime, etc. Then he is more apt that not to end up showing you the homes you would be most interested in. If a Realtor says something like, "You don't want to live in that neighborhood, too many of the wrong kinda people". LET ME KNOW. I'll personally report him to the NAR.

True, I kind of oversimplified it. I think what a lot of relators will do is not make any comment regarding the neighborhood crime rate so they won't be suspected of trying to incorrectly influence their clients.

I yi yi! Is this thing still alive? Toddster, next time I'm in California, let's do lunch. My treat.

quote Originally posted by 84SupperDuty: I yi yi! Is this thing still alive? Toddster, next time I'm in California, let's do lunch. My treat.

Deal!

quote Trailboss, Lunch at Jack's Steakhouse sounds like a winner. When did you have in mind?

It sounds great, but I have a hard time scheduling anything right now, too many irons in the fire.
I might have Saturday free, but I won't know till Friday afternoon.

quote Originally posted by Toddster: You got screwed. The going commission rate worldwide is 3%. 2.5% is very common. and I actually will often do a double ended deal for as little as 4% (2% per transaction). But more to the point, the $100 come out of my cut of the total commission which is negotiated by the buyer and their agent up front. So to put it simply, you pay NO more money than you would normally and you actually get some of it back in the end. So it does not look like you saved yourself anything. Next time you want to really save some money, give me a call.

Hand him his ass Todd I think you are a great guy and I would love to send some buisness your way!

quote Originally posted by Toddster: Deal!

Hey Todd, I just talked to Pokey and he said that the next time I get out there he'll introduce me to the whole lot of you West Coasties.

quote Originally posted by trailboss: Pokeyfiero, Fierobear, and I will meet you at Jacks Steakhouse in Morgan Hill.

When? I'm game.

quote Originally posted by Toddster: You got screwed. The going commission rate worldwide is 3%. 2.5% is very common. and I actually will often do a double ended deal for as little as 4% (2% per transaction). But more to the point, the $100 come out of my cut of the total commission which is negotiated by the buyer and their agent up front. So to put it simply, you pay NO more money than you would normally and you actually get some of it back in the end. So it does not look like you saved yourself anything. Next time you want to really save some money, give me a call.

Shows how much you know. You might want to look into Toronto real estate a little more before you start recommending anyone.
The only realty companies offering lower commision rates are usually no name private companies that don't have a reliable track record.
Double ended deals in Toronto are 5% some are even higher depending on how close your proximity is to down town.

take care

quote Originally posted by I Annoy: Shows how much you know. You might want to look into Toronto real estate a little more before you start recommending anyone. The only realty companies offering lower commision rates are usually no name private companies that don't have a reliable track record. Double ended deals in Toronto are 5% some are even higher depending on how close your proximity is to down town. take care

Then you must live in a trailer park. I work on commission rates of 5% for Mobile homes here too. I won't work for less for an $80,000 property. For a $2M property I will do it for a flat fee that usually works out to less than 2%. Commissions are up to you to negotiate. The fact is, I am familiar with all rates and the worldwide standard is 3%. If someone told you that they were giving you a "break" at 3% on a single family home then I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you for a SONG!

Tom, sounds great! Let us know when you're planning to be in town and I will be sure to head up the peninsula to see you.

And Liquid-Reality, thanks. I'm happy to help anyone you have in mind and you stand to make $100 per lead that turns into a referral. And I pay $250 for any lead that results in a transaction that is in my area.

[This message has been edited by Toddster (edited 10-26-2004).]

Hey now, I'm the one that started the thread and I don't get invited to lunch?!
I see how much you guys like me!
Actually I just wanted to get this thread to 100 posts! lol My bad!

quote Originally posted by fierogirls-mom: Hey now, I'm the one that started the thread and I don't get invited to lunch?! I see how much you guys like me! Actually I just wanted to get this thread to 100 posts! lol My bad!

The last time we invited you to lunch...uh, nevermind.

Darlene..Thankyou Todd.Everything worked out great and thanks for the 100.00 bucks.
Todd .. You are quite welcome anytime i can be of service just give me a call.It's been great doing business with you.

But on pennocks we need another 99 posts to really make it feel like home!

------------------
The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they are okay, then it's you.
--Rita Mae Brown

[This message has been edited by pokeyfiero (edited 10-26-2004).]

quote Originally posted by I Annoy: What a tool.

I think Stimp needs to wrap another Astro-Glide gift basket..