why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. You all haven't met a really great realtor. I have bought and sold numerous homes and have had my share of mediocre ones.

However, my most recent purchase my realtor was worth her weight in gold. She knew what we wanted and was extremely knowledgeable about what was out there. She typically went to all of the broker's open houses and she knew the homes before we would see them. As such, she would anticipate our questions and research answers. So when we would ask about building a garage, fixing an issue, etc., she had already talked to someone about the question. It was amazing. If she didn't know the answer, she would find out (unlike the realtor we fired before her, who would tell me to call the County).

She was also a zealous advocate for us. We were outbid on the first home we bid for. She called the seller's agent regularly to check in and let her know we remained interested. We didn't ask her to do this, but she casually mentioned it one day in response to that house coming up in conversation.

I have also seen her list a number of houses in our neighborhood. I can often tell her listings by looking at the pictures before I see who the agent is (I have a saved MLS search that emails me daily) because everything looks impeccable and appealing. Her listings typically go under contract within a week, as opposed to other listings that can sit for weeks, if not months.

So yeah, some agents don't earn their pay. But some do. I wish I were half as good at my job as she is.

Wow, this is impressive. We've used agents twice. The first time it was a total run-of-the-mill sale. It was in 2005 and was purely transactional--the agent really did nothing for us. The 2nd time was completely different. We were nervous about getting burned again, were spending a lot more money and purchasing an SFH. She was part therapist, part advisor, and part advocate. We needed a LOT of hand-holding and she was with us each step of the way. We explored using Redfin before we went with her but we were really unimpressed. The guy just didn't seem engaged. Even though it cost us a lot more money to go with the agent we used, it was worth it because of her knowledge and experience.

[Anonymous]

12:35,

I'm not an agent but I'll mention a few marketing things I've seen with the cost/value in parens:

1. Brokers open house (nominal cost associated with refreshments + time)
2. Truplace / mouse on house (I've heard this is around $500)
3. Printed materials (lower value because most people that see them are already at the house but some amount of time goes into preparing them + printing costs)
4. Balloons!!! (j/k but just to yank the agent's chain)
5. As I understand it costs extra to push a listing to zillow/trulia (gives added exposure)
6. Open house (ONLY if the listing agent is the one that goes to it. A lot of agents just have junior agents go to drum up clients and they know very little about the house and can't answer questions)
7. Some realtors create a site for the house that's for sale with additional pictures/information about the house such as a list of recent renovations, etc. (takes some time to create a site, upload and arrange the pictures)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a new agent and from my experience as a buyer, I know there can be huge value in someone who has the right level of professionalism, knowledge and willingness to actually work. I think there are a lot of agents in it only for the money and the quick commission, and those give the other agents who actually earn their pay a bad wrap. I think Redfin is good depending on your situation; I've been to many open houses where they can't answer simple questions about the home and won't lift a finger to find the answer. They are not out to build a business and the stakes are lower. I'm sure there are plenty traditional agents who operate the same way, but the issues I've seen with them come further down the line. Just my take, but if you get the right agent and negotiate a commission structure and working relationship you are comfortable with, there shouldn't be some much need for all the agent hate.

But what's the deal with balloons??

Please, do tell, what value does an agent bring to the table? I've heard this pitch a thousand times and have never got a good answer.

I'm not going to waste my time on a detailed response, because I have a hunch you really don't care about the answer. But the short answer is that our agent (actually he was the sellers agent and we didn't use an agent because we bought from our landlord), provided us with answers to every one of our questions as first time buyers and made us feel confident in our purchase. He worked as an intermediary between us and the seller and even though it was in his best interest for us to buy the house, he was sensitive to our personal situation and let us know where our "outs" were. He spent hours on the phone and in-person answering our questions and making sure we understood the process when he really didn't have to. My only regret was that we hadn't hired him as our agent to do a thorough search for us before we bought the place we were renting. Also, he is a specialist in our neighborhood, and I have seen places that he lists go under contract before they get on redfin, so if we had used him as a buyers agent i have no doubt that he would have found us a place that was perfect. Before that, we had used an agent that was clearly not working towards our best interest or working very hard for us, and that only became apparent after we worked with the other agent.

[Anonymous]

I just want someone to open the door and submit my forms. I couldn't care less about their opinion. Frankly, if you take the advice of some stranger who sells houses when you're making one of the biggest decisions of your life, then you're an idiot and deserve to get fleeced by the commission rate.

I would buy my house off of ebay if I could. It's not rocket science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The realtors I have spoken to or tried to work with make me do all the work (researching distances from metro, schools, etc.) and only put the zip codes into MLS and send me daily listings.

If I am going to do all the work (my budget is nowhere near big enough to catch anyone's attention I guess) why wouldn't I just use Redfin?

Am I missing something here?

Depends what you want and need.

When we were selling our house, we went with a realtor - we wanted someone with a lot of contacts; plus our house needed a lot of staging and random other 'fix it' work to get it ready to sell - we had zero desire to find these people ourselves or spend time working with them/figuring out what was needed etc. As it was, we basically handed the keys over to the realtor who got in touch with cleaning/maintenance/repair/interior decorator people and took care of all of it, which was a lot of work and time that we did not have to spend (nor did we pay for most of it, it came out of his commission). It was worth it, for us.

Same with purchasing a new house - we had no time to either do legwork (realtor emailed us very directed list of houses as opposed to a general MLS listing for a zipcode or similar) or figure out the paperwork to put in a bid/close the deal - realtor was very helpful. Also, new house needed a bunch of miscellaneous work and, once again, realtor found repair people and dealt with them.

So for us, a realtor was worth it and, IMO, earned his commission. If we had more time or were buying/selling a house that needed no work done, then probably not. It all depends on your circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just want someone to open the door and submit my forms. I couldn't care less about their opinion. Frankly, if you take the advice of some stranger who sells houses when you're making one of the biggest decisions of your life, then you're an idiot and deserve to get fleeced by the commission rate.

I would buy my house off of ebay if I could. It's not rocket science.

Amen!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why use Redkin? Just use no realtor and hire a real estate attorney for closing.

How does a RE attorney market your house?

Um, I do the marketing. FSBO. You go buy some signs, put an add for an Open House in the paper and list it online with your pictures.

I have yet to use a realtor or Redkin to buy or purchase a home.

[Anonymous]

If you are rich and you can throw away 2% of the cost of your house like a bad turnip then don't use redfin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why use Redkin? Just use no realtor and hire a real estate attorney for closing.

How does a RE attorney market your house?

Um, I do the marketing. FSBO. You go buy some signs, put an add for an Open House in the paper and list it online with your pictures.

I have yet to use a realtor or Redkin to buy or purchase a home.

You have yet to "use a realtor or Redkin to buy or purchase a home." Hmmmmm . . . . English 101. Buying and purchasing is THE SAME THING.

Hmm. . . Redkin. Is that affiliated with Redfin your other preferred brokerage you are always pushing here? You should at least learn how to spell the name of the firm correctly. Maybe graduate from high school? Or Janney?

And you are always slamming agents? Saying they "only need high school diplomas?"

Go work for Redkin, genius.

Yes, I am sure you have traded many of your own properties yourself . . . YAWN.

You are a jackass. If the moderators do not see you for what you are, perhaps they have some stake in Redfin - oh wait . . Redkin.

[Anonymous]

Before the grammar police get me "buying and purchasing ARE the same things!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why use Redkin? Just use no realtor and hire a real estate attorney for closing.

How does a RE attorney market your house?

Um, I do the marketing. FSBO. You go buy some signs, put an add for an Open House in the paper and list it online with your pictures.

I have yet to use a realtor or Redkin to buy or purchase a home.

You have yet to "use a realtor or Redkin to buy or purchase a home." Hmmmmm . . . . English 101. Buying and purchasing is THE SAME THING.

Hmm. . . Redkin. Is that affiliated with Redfin your other preferred brokerage you are always pushing here? You should at least learn how to spell the name of the firm correctly. Maybe graduate from high school? Or Janney?

And you are always slamming agents? Saying they "only need high school diplomas?"

Go work for Redkin, genius.

Yes, I am sure you have traded many of your own properties yourself . . . YAWN.

You are a jackass. If the moderators do not see you for what you are, perhaps they have some stake in Redfin - oh wait . . Redkin.

Holy crap lady - you are truly strange. First off, I meant buying and selling. Second off, you said "is the same thing" Was it a typo like mine? I guess you aren't perfect. I honestly have no idea what you are talking about. I am married, 3 kids and we have 2 condo rentals and a single family home. All purchased without an agent. We sold our last house (a townhouse) and one condo without an agent. Many people do a FSBO. We purchased the house I am sitting in - by the previous owners. If you open up a paper, you see lots of them too.

I don't work for Redfin or talk about high school diplomas on this site. WTF?? I said not to use Redfin so why would I have a stake in them? This is my 3rd post on real estate only because I came here to ask about turning a screened in porch to a 3 season room and saw this thread and wanting to post about FSBO - not using ANYONE except a lawyer to do the 2hr closing meeting. But whatever freak - think what you want. Sounds like you are a washed-up agent getting annoyed that people can do this on their own without you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why use Redkin? Just use no realtor and hire a real estate attorney for closing.

How does a RE attorney market your house?

Um, I do the marketing. FSBO. You go buy some signs, put an add for an Open House in the paper and list it online with your pictures.

I have yet to use a realtor or Redkin to buy or purchase a home.

You have yet to "use a realtor or Redkin to buy or purchase a home." Hmmmmm . . . . English 101. Buying and purchasing is THE SAME THING.

Hmm. . . Redkin. Is that affiliated with Redfin your other preferred brokerage you are always pushing here? You should at least learn how to spell the name of the firm correctly. Maybe graduate from high school? Or Janney?

And you are always slamming agents? Saying they "only need high school diplomas?"

Go work for Redkin, genius.

Yes, I am sure you have traded many of your own properties yourself . . . YAWN.

You are a jackass. If the moderators do not see you for what you are, perhaps they have some stake in Redfin - oh wait . . Redkin.

LOL - oh the irony of someone blasting another with their typos only to have a typo herself.

[Anonymous]

No ding dong, I was simply pointing out the PP's mistakes. But nice try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why use Redkin? Just use no realtor and hire a real estate attorney for closing.

How does a RE attorney market your house?

Um, I do the marketing. FSBO. You go buy some signs, put an add for an Open House in the paper and list it online with your pictures.

I have yet to use a realtor or Redkin to buy or purchase a home.

You have yet to "use a realtor or Redkin to buy or purchase a home." Hmmmmm . . . . English 101. Buying and purchasing is THE SAME THING.

Hmm. . . Redkin. Is that affiliated with Redfin your other preferred brokerage you are always pushing here? You should at least learn how to spell the name of the firm correctly. Maybe graduate from high school? Or Janney?

And you are always slamming agents? Saying they "only need high school diplomas?"

Go work for Redkin, genius.

Yes, I am sure you have traded many of your own properties yourself . . . YAWN.

You are a jackass. If the moderators do not see you for what you are, perhaps they have some stake in Redfin - oh wait . . Redkin.

Holy crap lady - you are truly strange. First off, I meant buying and selling. Second off, you said "is the same thing" Was it a typo like mine? I guess you aren't perfect. I honestly have no idea what you are talking about. I am married, 3 kids and we have 2 condo rentals and a single family home. All purchased without an agent. We sold our last house (a townhouse) and one condo without an agent. Many people do a FSBO. We purchased the house I am sitting in - by the previous owners. If you open up a paper, you see lots of them too.

I don't work for Redfin or talk about high school diplomas on this site. WTF?? I said not to use Redfin so why would I have a stake in them? This is my 3rd post on real estate only because I came here to ask about turning a screened in porch to a 3 season room and saw this thread and wanting to post about FSBO - not using ANYONE except a lawyer to do the 2hr closing meeting. But whatever freak - think what you want. Sounds like you are a washed-up agent getting annoyed that people can do this on their own without you.

Sounds like you have anger management issues and you are still lashing out 12 hours later. I feel sorry for you and your family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why use Redkin? Just use no realtor and hire a real estate attorney for closing.

How does a RE attorney market your house?

Um, I do the marketing. FSBO. You go buy some signs, put an add for an Open House in the paper and list it online with your pictures.

I have yet to use a realtor or Redkin to buy or purchase a home.

You have yet to "use a realtor or Redkin to buy or purchase a home." Hmmmmm . . . . English 101. Buying and purchasing is THE SAME THING.

Hmm. . . Redkin. Is that affiliated with Redfin your other preferred brokerage you are always pushing here? You should at least learn how to spell the name of the firm correctly. Maybe graduate from high school? Or Janney?

And you are always slamming agents? Saying they "only need high school diplomas?"

Go work for Redkin, genius.

Yes, I am sure you have traded many of your own properties yourself . . . YAWN.

You are a jackass. If the moderators do not see you for what you are, perhaps they have some stake in Redfin - oh wait . . Redkin.

Holy crap lady - you are truly strange. First off, I meant buying and selling. Second off, you said "is the same thing" Was it a typo like mine? I guess you aren't perfect. I honestly have no idea what you are talking about. I am married, 3 kids and we have 2 condo rentals and a single family home. All purchased without an agent. We sold our last house (a townhouse) and one condo without an agent. Many people do a FSBO. We purchased the house I am sitting in - by the previous owners. If you open up a paper, you see lots of them too.

I don't work for Redfin or talk about high school diplomas on this site. WTF?? I said not to use Redfin so why would I have a stake in them? This is my 3rd post on real estate only because I came here to ask about turning a screened in porch to a 3 season room and saw this thread and wanting to post about FSBO - not using ANYONE except a lawyer to do the 2hr closing meeting. But whatever freak - think what you want. Sounds like you are a washed-up agent getting annoyed that people can do this on their own without you.

Sounds like you have anger management issues and you are still lashing out 12 hours later. I feel sorry for you and your family.

But yet you respond to the PP with immaturity and no good retort because there is none. He/She doesn't angry at all. Just knowledgable. People can sell or buy their own house, just like they can book their own vacation. Real estate agents are going the way of travel agents. Technology will always be quicker than a human. People want immediate gratification. Sure, some people may need them if they live far away or work 60hrs a week or are just clueless. But the fact of the matter is, they aren't a necessity.