All Forum Posts by: Michael Stole

I am not an agent myself. Whenever I saw a REO or other potential good deals, I always call the listing agent first and get a sense of whether he is willing to help honestly on negotiating. If he instead recommend someone else in his office to represent me, then I insist on using my own agent. When selling a house, I avoid dual agent. I do not want to screwed up. I am not sure if this is the right strategy.

From my limited experience, it seems that for REOs, the listing agent does not want to be dual agent, and they always recommend someone ales to represent me. Why is that? Anybody else has similar experience or it is by chance?

Kathy, thanks for your input. I would like to initiate a discussion on the pros cons of dual agent, and what is the most common scenario under which dual agent arises.

Some states, like Indiana, allow dual agent, and some don't. Even in states where dual agent is allowed, some agencies don't allow it themselves. This makes me think of pros and cons of dual agency.

The pro I can come up right away is fast sale. If one of your buyers happen to be a perfect match of one of your listings, there is really no point of getting another agent involved. On this respect, dual agency is good to everyone, the agent, the seller, and the buyer. Also, agents love dual agency because they can get double commission.

The disadv is that a single agent can never represent the best interest of both clients. Thats obvious. So the problem is who's interest will is given the priority?

Also, for those agents who have such experience. When u get a listing, did u look out for the opportunity of dual agent, so u show it firstly to your buyers before listing it publicly, or let it come naturally. Or most of the time, it is the investor who approached u and requested for dual representation? :roll:

Hi, Bill, I just sent an email to the address in your signature.
Thank you.

It is probablly not a proper question to post here. But since I dont know where to ask, I just decided to post it here.

My friend and I plan to buy large quantities of skin care products, either from big names like Estee Lauder and Clinique, or less well-known brands, on a regular base (monthly) and at discounts. My friend has a way to sell them to overseas to make a profit, but that part is not my business.

So I would like to get in touch with some experienced buyers in that industry. Anyone has information on where I can find one? :roll:

I know HUD houses are sold through daily auction, so I assume listing agent can not affect HUD's decision on whether to accept an offer or which one to accept. My question is is there any known or unknown benefits of using the listing agent as my buyer agent when it comes to buying a HUD house?

Will the listing agent know how many other bids are submitted in a day, and how much they are? Are they willing to kind of share this information with me? If I can promise to close very soon and without any contingency.

Thanks for any input.

thanks guys for your information.

If I place an offer without using a buyer agent, it is accepted and eventually closes, can the seller save the 3% buyer agent commission? Or the listing agent gain all the 6% commission?

I just find that many banks dont like negotiation on houses they just put on the market. I am wondering when the bank will become willing to negotiate, so my offer will get a chance? After being on the market for 30 days, 60 days, or even longer than that?

I am wondering which of the listing agnt's activities are unobservable. I know you don't know how many calls they make to other agents and potential buyers. What else?