Is there really any difference? The past boom in the housing market has lured every scumbag on the planet in to become a real estate agent / realtor. Here in Charleston, SC they will LIe, Cheat and Backstab anyone in thier way to get your business. Why would I trust someone like that to help me find a home, let alone sell mine?
If you work with a REALTOR than that person must adhere to a certain code of ethics
I must agree.....I have sold 2 homes in the past year and I didn't use an agent....Its nonsense when they tell you, you shouldn't try to sell yourself....You can sell it yourself and save thousands....Plus most really don't know how to price the home, sometimes, they want to sell it lower, just to make a fast sale.....
For one, you want someone who's done it for years and you like them. Every industry/career has scum bags. And actually, funny thing is, the last car I bought when i called later to talk to the salesman, he was leaving the car dealership to become a realtor. ha.
It's too bad you have a few bad apples that spoil the barrel. But I don't lie, cheat and backstab. I truly love to help people find the best home for them. As for used car salespeople, there are some good ones there too. So we can end this on opposite sides or we can compromise? Some good and some bad in all of us. Right?
First off, I appologize if you have been treated unethically or unfairly by a real estate 'professional' in the past. Hopefully this is not a prevalent practice in your area. As several others have mentioned, Realtors are licensed in the states in which they practice and are bound to a code of ethics espoused by the National Association of Realtors. Both the NAR and your state have telephone numbers for you to voice complaints against offending Realtors or real estate agents. Unlike used car salesmen, Realtors and real estate agents do have to be licensed in the states in which they practice. If you doubt this, or the checks and balances set in place to oversee us, I recomend that you contact your state's Real Estate Board and verify it with them. No you do not need to use an agent if you know what you are doing. But for many people agents are heaven sent because they do not know the ins and outs of buying or selling real estate. They do not know the laws and are concerned about making a mistake that could cost them or the other party lots of money. In their eyes spending a percentage on paying a profesional's commission is well worth it. Would you diagnose your own health problems, or would you go seek the advice of a doctor? Aren't there bad ones out there too?
