I'm with Brad, know a buyers agent, but contact the listing agent. If the listing agent does not sell, ask them for a referral. You want them to have every reason to "move" the property along. A double commission or a referral fee is some pretty strong motivation.
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This is my strategy for MLS listings[/u]
- Find a list of properties.
-Do my due diligence which usually includes Google street view to see if its something I want & to narrow my list.
-Contact listed agents to set up appointments, try & schedule viewings for the same day.
- Make offer with agent, or if they are a broker my agent, but I give them the referral fee. If they are not comfortable with using my agent and getting a fee, then I use someone they actually recommend .
- If I can't contact the listing agent I contact one of my agents and go through the process with them.
Reasons why...
Agents are horrible at communicating in my experience. Someone else in the chain, just makes it that much harder.
Your building relationships. When you are using your agent, then your agent is handling everything and you may never meet the other agent. Make it personal, they might not recognize you next time, but eventually you will know everyone in your market, & know how they do business.
Quick response time, I usually get replies that day. Again "telephone" just makes it that much harder.
Outside the box most people use a buyers agent, if you use one then you are in the same playing field.
Most importantly IT WORKS. I spent 6 months trying to get a offer accepted when I started. Using a good buyers agent. I closed two in two months when I started using listing agents. Which is the only reason I nee
