Are a lot of Realtors unethical?  I've had some bad experiences and was shocked.?
470673
realtors work for the seller.  If you are the seller, interview several agents and pick one you can work with, you are paying them a nice chunk so they should be more accomodating to you.
359088
I'm a Realtor and have had people not show up to appointments. So it works both ways. There are lots of Realtors out there, which makes it hard to find the really good ones. \n\nI network with a lot of GREAT Realtors across the country, whom I have qualified in person. If you are looking for a very good Realtor I would put my name to, go to http://www.ReferredPro.com and I'll refer you!\n\nAlso, here's my response to the guy who says that selling on your own is better than using a Realtor:\n\n* According to Thomas M. Stevens, President of the National Association of Realtors for 2006, "Finally, the plain fact is that hiring a professional pays off. The typical home represented by a professional last year sold for 16 percent more than those sold without a professional’s help. That profit more than pays for the agent’s commission. Millions of homeowners know it, and that’s why they will continue to call on experienced real estate professionals."\n\nChances are that your home will be represented much more professionaly by a Realtor, not to mention it will save you a lot of headaches.\n\nRead more about for sale by owners at http://burlingamerealtor.com/serendipity/index.php?/archives/2006/02/20.html
851528
Hi,\n\nFACT! 10% of the realtors NATIONWIDE make 90% of the commissions.\n\nI built a $6Kb initial investment to just under a million in 10 years with RIP (residential income property)\n\nI had a CA. RE license and let it lapse because I did NOT want to be associated with the residential SLIME BALLS that lie and spin the truth for their 6% or 3% co-op.\n\nRE agents hook up with title companies and escrow companies and generally get "consideration" for their alliance.\n\nThe BIG DEAL in residential is "farming your patch"; scratch pads and all the other junk that you hang on doors.\n\nIt ONLY takes ONE Realtor to LIE and you are ALL SCREWED, so it is NOT about YOU but your assciatres.\n\nThe bottom line is the BROKER!  If he/she has it together ETHICALLY then you are OK.  It is the BAD ones that set the tempo.\n\nDISCLOURSURE is the KEY and if you "spin" or lie it sends a WAVE of dis-trust that you can NEVER recover.\n\nI figure that 90% ofthe real estae agents get their license out of either desperation or are chasing the BIG BUCKS.\n\nThe former spends %$500 to get a job when no one else wilhire them; wonder why and the rest are housewives with too much time on their hands and KIDS to pick-up from school and take to practice.\n\nYou have the NEW BMW and huge house that you can't afford unless the wife contibutes some income.\n\nWhen you are chasing the "AMERICAN DREAM" with certified letters posted on the door, ETHICS take a second seat to a 6% commission on a $300,000 house clousure.\n\nTo get a "LISTING" you have to SELL that you are going to turn it QUICKLY at the asking (even though it isn't worth the asking)  Why be HONEST with 6% on the line. Get it in the MLS and collect the 3% when somebody else sells it?  Ain't rocket science.\n\nIf you are considering RE look at RIP because it is a FINANCIAL DECISION and you can walk from the BS if you do YOUR HOMEWORK and the math works.\n\nGood Luck,\nJacques
629423
Jresey Boy's answer is absolutely correct.  A bad landlord experience doesn't necessarily preclude someone from being a potential tenant.  Most landlords however do know when they are being scammed by someone pretending to be a landlord.\nBe very upfront with your potential landlord and offer good character references as well as previous landlord references (not the one you had a problem with).  \nIf I am surprised by something that wasn't listed on an application when I run a tenant/credit check, I automatically rule that person out on the premise that if you are dishonest right off the bat, it won't be a good fit.\nGood Luck
702189
Have you checked with a local agent who can search high and low for you? A good agent will search not only what is on the market, but forclosures and for sale by owners. If you would like a refferral to an agent in the area, I would be more than happy to help you find someone. If you have any real estate questions you would like answered, please feel free to ask!
650310
I specialize in real estate and wow, that is a tricky question.\n\nGenerally, I would recommend NOT doing it by estimate alone.  I just tried out a new loan officer who had a great closing costs and interest rate estimate.  Looked like a killer deal.  The interest rate stayed the same, but at closing, man it was amazing how those closing costs took off for the sky.  After I did more background, I found she had a rep for being aggressive like that.\n\nGenerally, people have a reputation and the people who best know that reputation are realtors.  Realtors are particularly good sources because they are trying to close a deal and want someone who is highly reliable and skilled at the financing, someone who will make it a "non-issue."  They also do a lot of deals, so through sheer numbers of transactions, they come in contact with a lot of loan officers.  They don't want a person who screws around, misses details, or screws their clients.  They want someone who simply produces, because w/o a loan, they don't get that commission.  Realtors generally know.  Experienced realtors do know.\n\nI would try to contact three *experienced* realtors and ask for one or two people they would recommend.  That will significantly increase the likelihood you get someone competent, and thereby have a good experience.  The competent ones, in addition to having competitive rates and closing costs, are a blessing to work with.\n\nIn other words, assume incompetence is the rule.  Don't make the mistake most people make of simply taking whomever says, "You're approved" first.  Don't go for whomever talks a good game.  There's a lot of money in loaning money.  Some of the most imcomptent people also are the best talkers.  Go for a competent reputation through someone who's livelihood depends on it.  Ask an experienced realtor.\n\nAnd it's actually ok to say, I am not looking to use a realtor at this time.  I would just like a recommendation for someone you'd recommend for loans.  A good realtor appreciates the honesty and knows helping you will spred goodwill about them, too.\n\nGood luck.  Email with any questions.\n\nJared
838589
usually 0 - they work 100% commission.  So you get out of it, what you put into it.  A realtor is a tough job though - in California, there are more realtors then houses where sold this year.
470537
I checked out the site.  It looks ok, but I don't think it's the way I would go if I were selling property.  I'd rather find a real estate agent that knows the area
592961
Also depends on what they are Selling.  Since most realtors are compensated on a commision basis if you sell more expensive property you will recieve a higher commision.  For more information on reality check out the association website:
181480
As others have stated, we all get scammed at some point in our lives.  Hopefully, we all learn a lesson from it.\n\nI've been scammed many times, the most recent being last year.  A woman at work stated that she had cancer and did not have a place to stay.  I gave up my main living unit upstairs to her, and I lived downstairs in the guest area.  To make a long story short, it turns out she didn't have cancer and just wanted a free place to stay.  It took me 3 weeks to find this out.\n\nRemember some simple rules:\n\nIf it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.\n\nProtect your personal information and NEVER give out your SS#.  No reputable individual would ever ask for that information through email or by phone.  If it is by phone, ask them to mail you something so that you can confirm.\n\nUnsolicited emails can often be a scam.\n\nThese half hour commercials sell products that will cost you a fraction of the cost when it hits the stores.  If it doesn't hit the stores, it probably was a bad product.\n\nDon't be fooled by "lifetime guarantees".  These companies that you have never heard about often go out of business.\n\nIf it is illegal or "under the table", you have no recourse.\n\nIn short, be circumspect with whom you deal.
856143
99/100 of the time, those websites will say something like the following...\n\n"The information you have requesting is not currently available, Please Click Here to get in touch with a Realtor"\n\nIt is a scam, (in the sense that they advertise for a service they they do not offer). They put a great deal of commercials on the television lately about, "see what homes are worth in your area, go to ___.com", but they all simply are trying to get you in touch with a Realtor.\n\n\nwell with that said... i think the website you are looking for is...\n\nhttp://www.zillow.com
190938
I'm a licensed Realtor in California, we have escrows, not real estate attorneys who do all the legal paperwork.  Many people think that by not choosing a Realtor, they save money.  This is not always the case.  Professional Realtors, please note I said "professional" Realtors do much more that collect commissions.  I only show my listing to qualified buyers who have been APPROVED by a good loan company.  Also, in your Dad's case, by working with a Realtor, he is hiring someone who will bring the buyers to his home.  You don't know the number of people I have spoken to who decided to hire a Realtor after trying to sell their property themselves and being scared after experiencing "spooky" people knocking on their door to see the property then returning later to try and rob them.  In other words, you don't know who you are opening your doors to -- burgulars, child molesters, etc. Then there are the scam artist looking to take advantage of the inexperienced seller.  A Realtor knows when something is not in order.
678969
From my experience, absolutely from a home owner. My husband and I just bought our first house this week from an individual.  We had several bad experiences with our realtor. Just alot of underhanded bidding within his real estate firm.  Plus, they take that 7% commission rate.  So, when the real estate co prices houses, they usually up the price to account for this. \nIf I had it to do all over again, I would not get a realtor to help in my search.  Look in your local newspaper, homes for sale books, search the web. It took us almost two years to find a house, just keep looking. I would explore both options though. Just do the looking yourself and save yourself some hassle.
150625
Realtors make money off their referals to local banks.  Some will push it to the point that they ywill only work with you if you use their lender.  Beware.  See the Money magazine artivel below for more info..\nhttp://money.cnn.com/2006/02/13/real_estate/closingcosts_money_0603/index.htm
599093
A Realtor is supposed to work for you.  \n\nConsider them your employee.  They only make money if they sell your house.  \n\nIF they have found a buyer at the higher price, and are trying to make a larger profit by buying from you cheaper then selling to them, that is unethical.  It's also called flipping and in most states is not legal
66968
Great question, I believe it boils down to experience and results.\n\nMixed in is ethics and looking out for the clients best interest.\n\nI also beleive agents/Brokers are broken down to two camps. One at listing and one at representing buyers.\n\nIf your listing your property, you want an agent that is able and experienced enough to obtain the highest value in the open market.\n\nYou want an agent to be honest with you and tell you the truth vs some fantasy.\n\nWhat are the agents marketing skills?, do they use the internet?, do they have a digital camera? Look at ther personal website.\n\nAsk for a copy of actual sales on an annual basis. More the better.\n\nA good agent will sell 3-4 a month vs 6 in a year.\n\nAs a buyer's agent, similiar questions. How many buyers did you represent in the past year?\n\nPlease supply references and call the reference's of what they liked or disliked.\n\nInterview mutiple agents/brokers.\n\nIn addition the longer tenure in the business. What professional designation has the agent obtained? CRS is good.\n\nLook at http://www.Realtor.com http://www.Yahoo.com under real estate and in Yahoo look at the agents presence. This will speaks volumes.\n\nI'm not impressed by companies but by the individal experience of the agent.\n\nThey say 95% of real estate is sold by 5% of agents.
33106
I wouldn't recommend it, but I'm a bit biased since I am a Realtor.  \n\nBut, with that being said:\n\n-Fill out a disclosure on your property. FULLY disclose any issues you've had with the house.\n-Buy some for sale signs.\n-Design some flyers.  Be sure to take digital pictures of the inside and outside of the property that highlight the features.\n-Decide on an ad budget, and spend your money wisely on advertising.\n-Hold the property open. Be careful...make EVERYONE sign in for security reasons.\n-Make yourself available OFTEN for showings.  If people call and you can't make it there on their schedule without a lot of shifting around, they'll move on.\n-Qualify potential buyers if they intend to submit an offer.\n-Decide up front that if it isn't working out, at what point would you use the services of a Realtor (depending on how quickly you need an offer)\n\nSelling by owner can be profitable, and if you're in a high turnover area, I would certainly say go for it.  If you're in a 'normal' real estate market, be ready to work pretty hard to sell the property! \n\nGood luck.  If you have more specific questions, feel free to email me at rodbaker@fwrealtor.com.