Completely UnVeg Related, but I need advice...
Posted by CandiceLM on Jun 09, 2007 · Member since Apr 2007 · 54 posts
My DH and I are trying to buy a house, our first house. We can't find a realtor to help us. They show us houses that aren't in our area and won't show us houses we express an interest in. It's very annoying. Does anyone have any tips to finding a good realtor that we can like that will actually show us what we might buy?
Keep looking till you find someone good - don't put up with a bad realtor! They have
There are a few issues that might be at work here.
Since this is your first house, they might be worried that you won't qualify for a loan, or that you cannot afford what you want to look at, or that they will go through writing a contract and selling a house, only to have it all fall through because of lack of financing. There are special loans tho, for first time buyers, so that should help you.
And, a cheap house gives the realtor a much smaller commission than an expensive one for the same amount of work - so if you're shopping on a budget, you might find that some realtors are "too busy" to help you. But, there are lots of good and good-hearted realtors out there who will be delighted to help you - you just have to shop around.
The proper formula for affordability is that the monthly house payment should be one week's pay - your mortgage payment should be no more than 25% of your income. And, all the housing expenses (ie, taxes, insurance, utilities) should be no more than 33% of your income. A lot of people think that they can afford a payment that is half their income, but it's nearly impossible to do so, and banks generally won't finance it. So, if you do the math yourself, you will know what your price range is, and can shop accordingly.
You should have a sufficient down-payment - this shows banks that you are financially responsible, and it lowers the amount of your house payment, so it's very important. It really helps you get a loan, and it helps keep things affordable later.
Occasionally - very rarely- a realtor will refuse to show a house because you aren't looking in the neighborhood they think you should live in. For instance, you may be a different ethnicity than the other residents of the neighborhood that you would like to live in. It is sad that these things still happen, but they do. If you have good reason to think that is what is going on here, talk to the broker of the office, and if that doesn't resolve it, report the office to the state's Board of Realtors.
Best wishes in buying your first home!
Talk to your bank or other lender and get pre-qualified for a loan. This will show sellers and Realtors that you are serious, and that you CAN purchase a home. Keep looking for a Realtor. You will find one who will help you out. And good luck with finding a home!
My DH and I are trying to buy a house, our first house. We can't find a realtor to help us. They show us houses that aren't in our area and won't show us houses we express an interest in. It's very annoying. Does anyone have any tips to finding a good realtor that we can like that will actually show us what we might buy?
It's a bit cliche, but the commercial that shows the two people being dragged around by their realtor like political prisoners, blindfolded and gagged in the backseat, is not too far from the truth. But to affirm what someone else said, coldwell banker does have some good realtors around, oh so many years ago when I was looking for a house, that's who I ended up settling on. Never bought the house tho.
I think looking at for sale signs in the neighborhood you want to live, as baypuppy suggested, is a great idea. It seems like most realtors have a certain area that they are familiar with, so someone that's selling houses in that area will be very likely to show you around that area.
Realtors are going to vary no matter which company you go with. I had a rather sour experience with CB myself. Don't settle. This is the biggest purchase you will ever make, and you have the right to do it on your terms, and only your terms!
And, I don't know where you live, but in CA, the realtor's fee is negotiable. A lot of people don't know that, and it can save you a substantial amount of money.
I do hope mdvegan can offer some advice too. She would definitely be a trustworthy expert on the topic.
Good luck!
Thanks everyone! I think it's great advice. We will keep trying. The really sad thing is that I am begining to feel like its just to expensive for us right now. Between the down payment and closing costs, the houses we can actually afford are dumps or really really old condos. So may we just need to save more, but I'd still like to look at properties. Hopefully, mdvegan may have more suggestions also. :) Maybe this will bump it up and she can read it. thanks again!
I agree with Mdvegan Candice,
I've bought and sold a lot of properties (maybe too many actually). ::) If I start to work with an agent that is not listening to what I am saying with regards to my specific wants and needs, I move on to another. There is no shortage of realtors. There are WAY more bad then good ones. There are some really really good ones out there (like Mdvegan). ;) You just have to make calls, send a bunch of emails, and if they send you stuff you don't like...move on. Never just go meet them and start to head out house hunting. ALWAYS get the listings they want to show you first. If there is nothing there that resembles what you are looking for, at least bring it up to the agent and tell them again what you like or don't like, or move on. There are have been many many agents that have lost out on making some nice commisions with me, because they just did not listen to what I was saying or wanted in a property/home.
Good Luck!
-dave
i've never bought a house, but what about looking for houses you find interesting in an area you like and calling the person on the sign out front? they might be able to help you find houses in the area that are similar.
I would definately NOT call the realtor on the sign of the house you want to look at. They are the sellers agent and will be working to have their interests taken care of only. I was 24 when I bought my house and made that mistake. I don't know if he thought I was young and therefore stupid but the guy was really pressuring me after he made a mistake on the contract with the move-in date. I had already given notice at my apartment and he was trying to force me into extending it 30 more days. (this was 3 days before we were to move in) He tried to say that I hadn't read the contract and that he had the right to change it at any time. I ended up having to get a real estate lawyer and the agent ended up having to pay all my expenses for the month (rent, utilities, etc) plus the lawyer fee.