People choose their real estate agents for all sorts of reasons. Often because the agent is “nice”. Sometimes that “nice” agent is inexperienced and sometimes they can cost you money or even the home you want to purchase.
Last year a well-meaning but very inexperienced agent encouraged her client to ask for all sorts of minor repairs. She waited until almost the end of the inspection period. The seller was blindsided and somewhat angry. He did not make all of the repairs but he did make some of them. Later when I talked to the buyer I found out that none of the repairs were his idea but his agent felt he should ask for something.
Sometimes we get purchase agreements from new agents that we have to talk them through re-writing so that they are written correctly. Once I got an offer from a person with an expired real estate license. I had a hard time finding his broker who had no idea that the agent was out representing buyers without a license.
Another agent gave her client a bunch of documents that he thought were all of the condo documents required by the state. Most of the required documents were missing. I sent the agent a link with a bunch of information and made sure that the buyer got all of the documents.
There was this agent in a Facebook group for appraisers asking for some specific information regarding St. Paul Truth in Housing inspections and requirements. An appraiser isn’t an expert on such things and the agent was referred to the city of St. Paul website and told to ask her broker if she needs help.
Recently a new agent carefully explained to me how I should handle offers on one of our listings. Why? Was that necessary?
Most of us learn early on that no matter how we would like things to go they don’t always work out that way. We can never predict what our clients will do or what other agents will do. We learn to adapt and we learn flexibility.
There are more real estate agents than ever before and fewer home sales. It is more likely than ever before that the agent you choose has never sold a house.
At the very least agents should be asked if they have ever sold a house. There is a surplus of experienced agents who are looking for work to choose from.
It is easy to get a real estate license. All agents have them and learn on the job. New agents don’t have a clue what it is that they don’t know. Home buyers are in the same boat and don’t mind working with new agents as long as the agents are “nice”.
