Using a buyer’s agent is not for everyone. Even though I constantly preach on this blog that having a buyer’s agent is absolutely necessary I recognize that not everyone agrees with me. Some buyers prefer to go directly through a seller’s agent, or in the case of new construction-directly through the developer. Everyone has their reasons for doing so, and that’s fine, but what I don’t understand is why some buyers feel they can have their cake and eat it too!
Quite routinely I get emails from buyers who have elected to ‘go it alone’ and buy condos directly from developer. They usually go something like this:
Hi! I really like your blog and what you have to say about the condo market. I just bought a condo at “XX” development but I don’t know if I made the right decision. Did I pay too much? Is this a good area? Are other projects better? Help!
So essentially they don’t want to hire me as their agent (at zero cost to them), but they want my expert advice and opinion on whether they made the right decision! Even better is when the buyer tells me they have their own agent, but yet they don’t care what they say, they want to know what I think!
I’ve been writing this blog about downtown condos for over 3 years now. I’m flattered that many people value what I have to say, but my client services including my advice, opinions, analysis, and access to the best developments in the city are for my clients only. Hiring me as your buyer’s agent will cost you nothing. Not hiring me as your buyer’s agent could cost you thousands.
Questions or comments? Think I’m being an arrogant jerk? Contact me or leave your feedback in the comments section.
07.03.10 at 9:19 am
Max P
I wouldn’t put my two cents in usually but i will…only because you asked.
Arrogant jerk? i think so…i probably would have picked a more politically correct term but since you put it out there that’s what I’m going to go with….
Once somebody decides to host a blog, you ‘declare’ to be open to communication…and in the subject matter that you claim to be an expert in you should expect comments and questions just like what you described above. You don’t have to answer them if you don’t want to, or don’t have the time to, but to go as far as to criticize them openly and discourage potential customers from doing business with you seems unprofessional, and plain old lame…
let’s say you were hosting a gadget blog talking about the latest and greatest in all things technology…and I sent in an email saying, hey I just bought ‘such and such’ phone do you thing its better than ‘such and such’ phone?, do you think its worth the money?, should I wait for something better? and after writing such an email the editor openly goes on to criticize emails and persons like me, do you think I would have a lot of respect for this person? Do you think I would be interested in listening to this person after that? Even more, do you think I would want this person to handle my future purchases?
Why the attitude? Why not have the cake and eat it too?
Ever watch hot property? They have real estate agents on the show…and the agent answers all of the callers questions without demanding that they hire him or her as their agent…
Now, nobody can force you to be nice, polite and resourceful, that’s obviously up to you, but to me it just seems like a very poor business strategy…there…that probably sounded better than arrogant jerk…but lets be honest – if it smells like piss and it tastes like piss – it’s piss…let’s not sugar coat anything.
p.s. you will not be getting those kinds of emails from me. I promise you. Or any emails for that matter.
07.04.10 at 12:40 am
tw
What I like about this blog is that we’re given a lot of insight and perspective on the industry that other insiders are unwilling to shed light on, or are too lazy to share for themselves (content thieves). In my experience, most realtor sites throw up the guise of having content in the hopes that they can game SEO or fool people into checking out there listings, whereas this blog provides unique insight.
And frankly, this isn’t an impartial news site: This still is the blog of a realtor, in the business of selling condos. And while Max P might have rules about what a blog is, the thing is they are actually quite diverse — with many different agendas, hidden or otherwise. What Andrew is doing here is actually being far more transparent about what he does (than say, those gadget blogs providing so-called unbiased opinions).
Nobody is forced to read a blog… and no one is forced to ask Andrew for advice. Likewise, Andrew doesn’t have to give it away for free either, and considering it’s his own business (one he’s highly respected and trusted in doing), why should he?
Unfortunately, as Max has proven here, there’s lots of trolls online that have nothing better to do than tear people down and waste their time instead of doing something productive for themselves. I doubt Andrew is going to lose sleep over this comment, and is likely relieved that there is one less person out there looking for a freebie.
07.04.10 at 11:11 am
Brad J.
Max P, if I read Andrew’s post correctly, he only has an issue with giving advice to those who have *already done a deal* and have chosen someone else as buying agent. So they’re not even prospective clients.
I’m not sure your gadget blog analogy holds, because a gadget blogger generates income from traffic and ad sales, a realtor generates income from moving houses (hopefully assisted by giving good advice). Different business models. Personally, I rarely work for free, but when I do it’s for a charity, friend, or family member (…and even then I expect free pizza at the end of the day!).
Full disclosure: when Andrew worked for me (twice), he did a lot of work including market research comp sheets generated in Excel. The method was a lot like how a banker might analyze an investment opportunity. I create similar material for a bank and can appreciate how tricky getting useful comps can be, and would only expect that level of detail out of someone who was actually working for me.
There was a realtor in my hometown who took out ads in the paper saying, essentially, “Buy me lunch and I will give you advice – no strings attached but the lunch has to be good”. Not sure if that would work in a city vs. a small town. Maybe the sign of a desperate realtor!
07.04.10 at 4:14 pm
Max P
1. Prospective clients?
Let me share a piece of valuable advice with any realtor out there (including ALF) – a person that buys a property will at some point sell it, or may buy another property altogether. Those with a ‘done deal’ are still potential customers, but good job on turning them away! This post is ironi…it should be renamed – “Client service? None here!â€Â
2. Different business model?
Nobody has to work for free – you are absolutely right. But customer service is not ‘working for free’, it’s an expense, an investment that converts into profits down the road and is key to any successful long term business strategy.
And on a personal note – it would be a sad sad world if ppl only helped those they know – you sound like a very opportunistic person, out to get anything and everything you can get your hands on. You might say it’s a competitive market, and that those asking for advice are no different – they are out to get their ‘freebie’…well I understand Andrew’s beef with those out for a freebie but he doesn’t have to respond to any emails, he also doesn’t have to ridicule them on his blog – that’s my point.
Sorry your highness for disturbing you…I was under the impression you wrote this on your ABOUT page:
‘I’m here to help you get it by giving you the information, advice, and expertise to make your goals a reality’
And later:
‘Working with me means you get a Realtor who treats you like a person, not a ‘lead’ or a ’sales prospect’.’
Well doesn’t the above just contradict the post all together? Because from the post I gather that Andrew what’s nothing to do with you unless you are a ‘lead’ or a sales prospect’
(thanks TW for assuming I’m one of the persons out for a freebie, but I’m not, thanks for your ill-informed assumption.)
3. Small town realtor?
Your example of the small town realtor who asks for lunch to give advice is a joke. I would hate to see how much money I would spend on lunches every time that realtor took me out for showings
I think basically what you are doing is describing an opportunistic nature of some realtor (such ALF). And perhaps TW is right, AFL is being a lot more transparent…but can you imagine the stress and pressure you would get working with a realtor who’s out to make money and doesn’t want to ‘waste his time’? Take it from me there are a lot of realtors out there who WILL care to answer your questions and provide for a worry-free, stress-free transaction experience for you…
4. TW: unique insight?
This one is short and simple. Any realtor that’s out to do business with you is out to make money, their insight is not unique…maybe only uniquely biased. And another thing, there’s nothing AFL does that other realtors don’t.
Trusted and respected? Give me a break…
?
What are you? His colleagues? His friends? His big brothers? Awww.. given how opportunistic you posts describe both of you to be I’m wondering what you are getting out of this? Free lunch
Thanks Brad J for calling this post for what it is…a sign of a desperate realtor!
People stop wasting AFL’s time…more importantly, stop wasting yours…get a realtor who cares.
TW is right about one thing though…I should stop wasting my time on this DOS-designed site and start doing something productive…I guess I never thought that sharing honest advice with other people, be it free of charge is a waste of time…silly me…all those who read this send me your lunch money now!
07.04.10 at 4:42 pm
Frank
People should realize that nothing in life is free.
If someone’s livelihood is in real estate, they get paid when a deal closes. The content on a blog is usually just a teaser, if you want the real meat and potatoes you are going to have to commit (in this case by signing up with a realtor, or in other cases buying the full program/book).
In this case I agree with Andrew, if someone has already purchased a suite with another realtor, they should go back to their own realtor.
If you need help with purchasing a new condo, you should get the advice of a expert rather than trying to go it alone against the developer.
Personally I would respond to people’s questions even if they had already purchased something, because you never know what a new relationship could lead to. However, I have a rule that I devote 80% of my time to the 20% of people that bring me 80% of my business.
Happy condo shopping.
09.02.10 at 4:56 pm
Robert
Let’s keep in mind, a hot new condo project is bound to sell fast!
If I’m a developer, I’m willing to hold off on a few units for purchasers without an agent. Why? It makes business sense (more $ in my pocket). I have purchased a number of condo properties without the help of an agent and I can assure you these deals would not have been possible if I were with an agent.
Developer: We’re sold out.
Me: Damnit, I really wanted a unit!
Developer: Are you working with an agent?
Me: No
Developer: Let me see what I can do for you…
Me: Purchased many units over the years
R
02.18.11 at 8:28 am
HVAC Guy
Hi Andrew,
You are not alone. Every now and then I am getting phone calls: “Hi. You did an estimate in our home a few month back. Do you remember? Well, my wife insisted on going with another contractor. Now the furnace (air conditioner) making weird noises, and I can’t find my contractor. Could you advise me on what might be wrong with the furnace (AC)? Oh, by the way, I have recommended you to many of my co-workers (relatives, friends)”.
I think: “What nerve!”.
I sound compassionate: “I am sure your contractor will return your call soon. He’ll be glad to help his customer out”.
BTW, a great web site. You are true pro.