Is it reasonable to ask an agent for...

[Alex Popescu]

My partner and I are looking for a real estate agent to help us with our search and was wondering if it is reasonable to ask them to go beyond the typical showing of the comps. Having working as a commercial appraiser in the past, we would call the comps sales agents to dig all of the motivating factors that influenced the buyers' decision, do a quick market analysis, look at the asset conditions, etc.

Is it reasonable to ask my future agent to do all of this leg work as well? .. (mind you, we would charge a lot less than a typical borker charges).

[Brian Van Pelt]

@Alex Popescu
It depends:
. If you are going to give your agent the listing to sell for you, or allow them to act as your buyers agent, then YES it's reasonable to ask an agent to do this type of work.
. If you plan to just have the agent run comps without being your listing or buyers agent , the NO it is not reasonable to expect someone to work without compensation
. If you are not prepared to close on a property or even make an offer on a property, then NO, its not reasonable.
. If you are just testing the waters , agin NO it's not reasonable.

It's reasonable to pay a retainer if your answer is anything but YES, I'm a ready willing and able buyer or seller.