Originally Posted by
Cash Money Hoes
The only value a house jockey ('Realtor') provides is access to recent comparable sales.
Most will be willing to provide these to you at no cost or obligation to use them. They'll also set you up for daily updates specific to your criteria for a given area showing new listings, sales, price reductions, etc. All it takes is a phone call.
You should never rely on someone whose sole motivation is to make a sale to advise you on price. These primitive creatures simply collude with the opposing Jockey and play both parties to the middle to close the deal, buy a new paisley shirt and then repeat.
Do your own research, educate yourself on the market and be firm on what you believe value to be. Remember, the House Jockey has no pride and will bend to the will of the party that firmer in their position.
One lesser known piece of info for those looking to purchase a house:
There is an exemption for lawyers which allows them to collect a buyers brokerage fee when acting as the buyer representative in a transaction. Pay them the $1000 to do your closing docs, tell them that you'd like to name them in the PSA as the buyers rep and get a fee acknowledgement signed by selling House Jockey that the Lawyer is to receive the buyers commission. On closing, the buyers fee can then be applied toward the purchase price, effectively reducing your cost of the home.
If your lawyer won't do this for you, you've got the wrong lawyer. Worst case scenario offer a small portion of the buyers fee to them for any extra leg work involved (none).
But how do I get access to a house I am interested in purchasing? Call the listing Jockey, either they or one of their underlings not yet cut out for full paisley shirt (they are still training in burgundy dress shirt, bold statement ties and 2 day stubble) will be dispatched to let you in. Be prepared to be pitched on them acting as your buyers rep, you can politely decline.
Good luck out there. With time, the egregious fees will be compressed and a more efficient market will emerge.