Anonymous wrote:The idea that real estate agents will go the way of the dodo bird is a fringe idea that really doesn't reflect reality. No matter how much you scream and stomp your feet about broken business models, the marketplace realities don't validate your view.

That's what the travel agents said.....

I think it is a basic courtesy that agents should notify sellers that they will be showing their houses. Nobody keeps the home show-worthy all the time, before they head for work each day.

That's not too much to ask.

We sold our house without an agent. I showed all potential buyers around and told them that they could go back to each room and look at it again on their own. Of course, I had put away all the valuables before.

Simple solution to security is a key lock with unique combo codes or card swipe. A person visiting has to verify ID via credit card swipe & combo code. Should anything happen to the house you know who was there last.

Anonymous wrote:Can't you just show your own house?

If you're home all the time. The standard buyer-working-with-realtor does not call before coming over (or, seller requiring that they do so will make them less likely to come over). If everybody agreed to work without realtors and just make phone arrangements -- sort of like a craigslist rental situation -- that would work, but you still would not reach as many people, I think, as in the current system. And it would be such a hassle for working adults that sellers would end up hiring someone to show their house anyway.

PP I'm 22:48, not an agent. Brokers are worth it if they know enough more about pricing than you do to make it worthwhile. Some do, some don't. When in doubt go with the busy experienced one imho.

How interesting that none of the pro-agent PPs are outing themselves as agents. They regularly read this forum.