As I’ve written many times before, I’ve never been a fan of Buyer Broker Agreements – essentially an employment agreement between me and a prospective buyer. I’ve always believed a handshake ought to mean something … though yesterday it was made clear to me once again that not everyone feels this way.
(Helpful hint … if you’re talking about making a trip to the Valley to buy a home after I’ve worked with you for months, have previewed homes, etc. and you suddenly decide to buy through another agent, simply tell me. No need to lie and say you’re not going to make the trip, causing me to continue searching on your behalf and attempting to follow up. In other words, be an adult and be honest. It’s not an extreme request.)
So here’s where things stand … I’m going to have to start requiring Buyer Broker agreements as a normal course of business if you are seeking any value-added services – previewing and photographing homes for out-of-town buyers, for instance. Unlike many agents who write a specific commission into the agreement, I’m content with whatever the co-broke in the MLS will be and I will have a set percentage for non-MLS properties.
Truthfully, I wish such a step wasn’t necessary. A handshake should be guarantee enough that I’m not spending time, money, gas and cell phone minutes on someone who will select an agent based on a phone number on a sign later down the line. But it’s not. And that’s a very, very sad thing.
[tags]Phoenix real estate[/tags]
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