The listing agent will not make the accept decision, the seller will. So
if (if being the biggest word in the English language) the listing agent submits all offers, the net to the seller & the terms will be the key factors in the decision made by the
seller.
If you are experienced in real estate, then it seems logical to place your offers with the listing agent. But so many factors can come into play, such a REO listing agents that will not get into dual agency or represent buyers, variable rate commissions, etc, it is hard to say one method is always better than another.
I have sold REOs as the listing agent with offers submitted by me that would have meant more money to me, but a lower net to my seller client. And I did not work the system to benefit me, and the property went to the client of another agent. I made less, my client made more, as it should be when putting your client's interest ahead of your own.
The offer I placed on a REO for a client earlier this week, I do not know how it will turn out and only time will tell. However my client would never have been aware of the property unless I told him, or would have become aware of the property after it had already gone under contract. So did he need a buyers agent?
Most REO listing agents in my area do not seem to give preferential treatment to offers made by themselves or inhouse. Most seem to want to get the highest net for their seller clients, to ensure repeat business from the seller. Most of the REO listing agents in my area have a team of buyers agents to submit offers from buyers.
But if you are experienced in real estate and know what you are doing, and can find the newly listed REO deal as soon as they hit the MLS, then submitting your offer with the listing agent may yield better results. I just see what happens in my area, and submitting to the listing agent does not seem to make a difference with most listing agents.
But if you are like Will and have developed a relationship with the REO listing agents it might make a difference.
The key in this business or any other is developing a relationship. Will has built a relationship with these listing agents, so his method should work for him.
