Customary for agent to Charge to look at a property??

[Robert DeForge]

Ok, so I'm no REI guru (yet), I have purchased two primary residences, and have two other rentals, but I have never heard of an agent charging to look at a property that I'm going to use them to purchase. Am I old (don't answer that!), out of touch or just inexperienced? Or is the agent playing me?

As always, thank you BPers for your wisdom..

[David Faulkner]

Originally posted by @Robert DeForge:

I'm already pre-approved with the 2nd broker he recommended (first was a flake), he has looked at 1 property that he recommended for me so far. That property needed waaay too much work and was outside the price range of what I was looking for. I'm ready for the right properties. I'm not interested in the ones he's sending me that net $100 a month.

 If you already know exactly what you are looking for, then a buyer's agent won't do you a ton of good anyhow IMO ... go find the properties that you want to buy ... if they are listed, then call the listing agent and have them show you the property, and let them know that if you offer then you will put the offer in through them and let them double end the deal. You will find no better spokesman with a direct line to the seller (except for maybe you talking directly with the owner on an unlisted property) than an agent who stands to double end it if they close with you. Plus, it is much easier to put in 100 offers in through 100 different listing agents than to expect one buyer's agent to put in 100 offers for you.