How to Work With More Than One Real Estate Agent When Buying a Home
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Instructions
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It is perfectly within your rights to work with more than one real estate agent when looking for a house to buy. Here are some ways to make these relationships work.
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Let each agent know that you are working with another agent. Agents make their livings from selling property and have the right to know whether there is another agent involved.
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Give each agent your objectives and parameters for prospective houses and estimated price ranges.
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Return all calls promptly. This reduces the chance that one agent will call about a property and, before you return the first agent's call, another agent phones with the same information. (Then with whom do you work?)
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Avoid viewing open homes on your own, as doing so presents additional problems.
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Tips & Warnings
If an agent has a problem with you working with another agent, you may want to reconsider who you have working for you.
Letting each agent know that you are working with other agents may get the agents to work a little harder to find you the right property.
Never talk about one agent to the other. If you have something uncomplimentary to say about an agent, you probably shouldn't be working with that person.
If you like a property and want to write an offer, you must choose which agent you want to represent you. (This can even include the listing agent who held the open house.)
You have an obligation to respect your agents and the information they provide. If you see a home you want to buy, you should buy it through the agent who showed or told you about it.
Don't waste an agent's time by having an agent show you property you have no intention of buying through him or her.
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Comments
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Interesting take on buying advice, to encourage buyers to use multiple agents is a disservice to everyone. Buyer's should interview agents, get referrals and decide how they want to approach buying a home. Then select an Agent, sign a Buyer's Agency Agreement and fully discuss their needs and expectations. Buyers need to remember alll agents work for Seller, directly or as a sub-agent, unless they have a signed Buyer's Agency agreement. It is important to be clear where the agents legal and ethical duties lay. Secondly, having multiple agents spending their time and money finding you a home only to not be paid is reprehensible. Agents are self-employed. It will not improve your chances of getting a good deal, your agent knowing you, your wants, desires and financing limitations will! Buyers need their agent's loyalty and that goes both ways. Real Estate Agents are professionals, we know our trade, are required to have continuing education, and work for the benefit of our clients. Lastly, you are incorrect in saying that the buyers by choosing an agent to write up the sale contract will determine which agent gets paid on the sale. National and State Realtor Associations and local boards have rules governing commission disputes, factors such as " procuring cause" and level of involvement, time and effort will effect those decisions. These are legally binding contracts in play with real consequences for all.
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traceysch
Aug 13, 2010
I absolutely agree that it goes both ways, thats why you should discuss with your agent what you expect out of them and in turn will for them. Many buyers disregard their agent time and loyalty and start working with many agents.. having them all looking through the same inventory and getting the same results to show a buyer. Then the buyer has the agent: spend their research time, gas, valet parking where applicable, paperwork, etc. with a buyer who then does't return the agents phone calls or changes their mind. Would you go to multiple doctors for the same inquiry? Unless you find a professional agent and act accordingly with loyalty and intent - no agent should work with a buyer who doesn't show respect for their time. I think the article is vague and misleading. -
Nov 22, 2005
Do not feel odd about working with more than one agent. Loyalty works both ways. I have had experiences when I felt odd about this, only to be bumped when an agent came in with a "better buyer". It all can vary greatly from agent to agent.
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Nov 22, 2005
Do not feel odd about working with more than one agent. Loyalty works both ways. I have had experiences when I felt odd about this, only to be bumped when an agent came in with a "better buyer". It all can vary greatly from agent to agent.
