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Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

I work with both buyers and sellers.

May 27, 2015 11:34 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Hella, 

I think that most agents work with both.  I think that in this market it is a good idea to go after the sellers.  Markets change and one has to adapt to the changes. A

May 28, 2015 01:52 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Hella -- that's the great thing about real estate --- there are many opportunities and options for people.  

May 28, 2015 01:48 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I do both. I like working with buyers as well as sellers.

May 27, 2015 11:36 PM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Hella. It depends on how you design your practice. I know a number of "Buyer only" agents and they are very successful.

May 27, 2015 06:57 PM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

I've always found the notion of being 'just a listing agent' or 'just a buyer's agent' a bit limiting. I like having flexibility to move with the markets.

May 27, 2015 10:03 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Some folks like to work with buyers.

Jan 08, 2019 07:42 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Takes 2 to tango!

Jan 20, 2018 04:46 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

I have been an exclusive buyers agent for 25 years (work in an office that does not list property or represent sellers)

When I started in RE it was taboo to represent buyers, but when I went on listing appointments, I did not like telling the sellers what they wanted to hear. I was not good at brown nosing.

I liked the honestly of not playing games, no BS and no trying to talk out of both sides of my mouth. No conflict of interest.

In Florida there are 300,000 agents and only about 50 that represent only home buyers exclusively. Thats because most  agents would never survive.  It takes someone confident enough, that knows what they are doing to give up listings and successfully represent only buyers.  

Dummies do not become exclusive buyers agents.  You need to have a superior knowledge about the law, contracts, 1031, mortgages, appraisals, negotiations, property values,and a broad knowledge of the real estate market etc.  Your only job is the buyers best interest and no concern about what the seller, or listing agent think.  That alone disqualifies most.

I work smarter not harder.

I do not have to go open up homes for agents who bring unqualified buyers or have to make excuses to sellers with overpriced homes. I pick and choose who I work with and  as far as competition goes,we have none.

Our buyers seek out our unique services, so they are typically educated consumers that respect our opinion and value our services.  They are never time wasters.

If I had to start over tomorrow I would still never list property.

As far as finding inventory, the shortage is only at the bottom of the price for the market.  There had never been a shortage of properties when the buyer has a decent budget and is ready, willing and able.

Eve

May 28, 2015 02:47 AM
Rainmaker
292,685
Jack Lewitz
Exit Strategy Realty - Evanston, IL

Working with buyers educates you about the real estate market . If you do not understand the market and can do a fair market value for a seller then you will never become a listing agent . By viewing houses on the market it allows you to use this data more effectively and more confidently . 

May 27, 2015 11:27 PM
Rainmaker
699,277
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

If you have a specialty, stick with it as to not spread yourself too thin.

May 27, 2015 11:26 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

not everyone has the confidence to close listings....many work buyers because the buyer will let you know when the house is the right one!!  the agent keeps showing them.... listing property is a competitive sport....not everyone likes or has the competitive edge to compete.... that's how I see it!!  

you're a competitive person, just as I am.... we kick butt....

May 27, 2015 10:43 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Excellent question!

The reality is, compensation is closer when working with vetted buyers.

The reality is, when a compensation beat-down is successful, it occurs on the listing side, so the buyer agent is treated more generously.

The reality is, today's buyer are tomorrows sellers. Don't let the 'listing crowd' get between you and your new home owner. By contrast, the listing agents client just moved to another state....their business left town.

The reality is, it is easier and less expensive to attract buyers and you have more options regarding your compensation stream based on your assessment of the buyer.

The reality is, it is easier to disengage from a buyer than a home seller.

The reality is, a vetted list of active buyers, is exceptional currency when and if you were to consider listing a house. That FSBO that been on the market 10 months will pay 8% for a one day listing for those on your list, especially in FL where many, many, many sales are CASH.

It really does boil down to the business model the agent has defined, and the genius they possess. For some, buyers ARE the best fit because they can see the problem and they have a great solution, and those solutions have legs that carry them into other opportunities.

When comparing the listing agent and the buyer agent, the reality is, both are required. Don't be deceived regarding one is superior to the other.

May 27, 2015 10:20 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

That is a very good question. Right now this is a wide open market. Work both sides.

May 27, 2015 07:16 PM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Hella - It sounds like most agents, at least here on AR, work with buyers and sellers. You can count me in with that group. I don't want to limit myself one way or another.

May 27, 2015 03:48 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Hella, a transaction has two sides. Someone should be buyers agent, correct?

Based on most answers, like me, most agents work with both.

May 27, 2015 03:19 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

wouldn't be my thing, because I like repeat business and those who buy want to sell down the road.

May 27, 2015 02:12 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I don't know.  I want to leave my options open.

May 27, 2015 12:45 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I don't. I work both types of clients and take the business as it comes. Our market is agressive so to make it you do both.

May 27, 2015 12:06 PM
Rainmaker
400,356
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

I'm also on board with Cindy Davis.  No reason to limit yourself.

May 27, 2015 11:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Hella Mitschke Rothwell I agree with Cindy Davis, you have to be flexible with the market.

May 27, 2015 10:46 AM