Comments on: With the amount of information on the internet today, do buyers really need a real estate professional? http://www.ericbramlett.com/with-the-amount-of-information-on-the-internet-today-do-buyers-really-need-a-real-estate-professional/ Austin, Real Estate, What Affects Both, & What I Got Goin' On! Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:50:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Lee Keadle http://www.ericbramlett.com/with-the-amount-of-information-on-the-internet-today-do-buyers-really-need-a-real-estate-professional/#comment-3357 Lee Keadle Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:03:22 +0000 http://www.ericbramlett.com/blog/?p=243#comment-3357 I for one am glad to see that buyers have more access to information on homes for sale. I never liked the mafia approach to real estate where agents would only share this information when under buyer rep. agreements. This new way of business just keep agents on their toes and makes them learn their market better. I for one am glad to see that buyers have more access to information on homes for sale. I never liked the mafia approach to real estate where agents would only share this information when under buyer rep. agreements. This new way of business just keep agents on their toes and makes them learn their market better.

]]> By: Grant http://www.ericbramlett.com/with-the-amount-of-information-on-the-internet-today-do-buyers-really-need-a-real-estate-professional/#comment-3233 Grant Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:08:06 +0000 http://www.ericbramlett.com/blog/?p=243#comment-3233 To make sure I'm staying on topic, I'd say that part of Realtors' real value is their study of local, state, and national economics and advising people based on their professional knowledge. As for those that continue to blame Realtors for all our economic woes, this link explains the entire root the cause. It will blow you away. Listen to the audio. http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=355 To make sure I’m staying on topic, I’d say that part of Realtors’ real value is their study of local, state, and national economics and advising people based on their professional knowledge. As for those that continue to blame Realtors for all our economic woes, this link explains the entire root the cause. It will blow you away. Listen to the audio.

http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=355

]]> By: Grant http://www.ericbramlett.com/with-the-amount-of-information-on-the-internet-today-do-buyers-really-need-a-real-estate-professional/#comment-3232 Grant Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:04:00 +0000 http://www.ericbramlett.com/blog/?p=243#comment-3232 It's not fair to blame Realtors for over-inflated prices. All of this hysteria was fueled by foreign credit into the United States that was then leveraged many times over. THAT, my friends, is the reason the real estate market is dragging the economy down. This surge of money CREATED the demand for the creation of mortgages. As a result, lenders lowered standards and the frenzy began. When you offer people with bad credit a house with no money down, you are going to have problems. Trust me, the percentage of loss from foreclosures as a result of bad lending policies are MUCH greater than the amount of "artificial equity" created by Realtors not reigning people in. Plus, it's not a Realtor's job to restrain the market--only to show values based on comps. Buyers and seller determine a market. It's been like this since the beginning of time. Thanks, Grant It’s not fair to blame Realtors for over-inflated prices. All of this hysteria was fueled by foreign credit into the United States that was then leveraged many times over. THAT, my friends, is the reason the real estate market is dragging the economy down. This surge of money CREATED the demand for the creation of mortgages. As a result, lenders lowered standards and the frenzy began. When you offer people with bad credit a house with no money down, you are going to have problems. Trust me, the percentage of loss from foreclosures as a result of bad lending policies are MUCH greater than the amount of “artificial equity” created by Realtors not reigning people in. Plus, it’s not a Realtor’s job to restrain the market–only to show values based on comps. Buyers and seller determine a market. It’s been like this since the beginning of time.
Thanks,
Grant

]]> By: Sell my House http://www.ericbramlett.com/with-the-amount-of-information-on-the-internet-today-do-buyers-really-need-a-real-estate-professional/#comment-3123 Sell my House Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:30:00 +0000 http://www.ericbramlett.com/blog/?p=243#comment-3123 Eric, I hate to make a broad statement but Realtors are the first and last line of protection for homeowners looking to buy a home. In Charlotte, NC most of the homes that are going into foreclosure are homes less than 8 years old. These homes are cheap designs and realtors knew that older homes weren't selling for the price the new homes are selling for and most of the older homes are brick. None of the newer homes are brick on a curtain with brick, which is not the same. Agents were looking for a quick buck and hoped that the newer homes would hold up to the value test. They didn't and now the Charlotte market is suffering like all other markets across the country,. Eric, I hate to make a broad statement but Realtors are the first and last line of protection for homeowners looking to buy a home. In Charlotte, NC most of the homes that are going into foreclosure are homes less than 8 years old.

These homes are cheap designs and realtors knew that older homes weren’t selling for the price the new homes are selling for and most of the older homes are brick. None of the newer homes are brick on a curtain with brick, which is not the same.

Agents were looking for a quick buck and hoped that the newer homes would hold up to the value test. They didn’t and now the Charlotte market is suffering like all other markets across the country,.

]]> By: George http://www.ericbramlett.com/with-the-amount-of-information-on-the-internet-today-do-buyers-really-need-a-real-estate-professional/#comment-3093 George Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:29:03 +0000 http://www.ericbramlett.com/blog/?p=243#comment-3093 The internet can be a great resource to find a lot of information. But I think it's always better to have personal contact with a real estate agent. They can best analyze your situation and find suitable solutions. The internet can be a great resource to find a lot of information. But I think it’s always better to have personal contact with a real estate agent. They can best analyze your situation and find suitable solutions.

]]> By: MARK Z http://www.ericbramlett.com/with-the-amount-of-information-on-the-internet-today-do-buyers-really-need-a-real-estate-professional/#comment-3084 MARK Z Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:44:20 +0000 http://www.ericbramlett.com/blog/?p=243#comment-3084 Can you imagine if buyers and sellers had to deal direct with each other on every transaction? Almost every deal would fall apart, especially in this type of market where emotions are very high and every buyer feels like they have the right to steal every house. Having someone negotiate the deal is priceless. Can you imagine if buyers and sellers had to deal direct with each other on every transaction? Almost every deal would fall apart, especially in this type of market where emotions are very high and every buyer feels like they have the right to steal every house. Having someone negotiate the deal is priceless.

]]> By: BoiseHomes http://www.ericbramlett.com/with-the-amount-of-information-on-the-internet-today-do-buyers-really-need-a-real-estate-professional/#comment-3075 BoiseHomes Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:29:35 +0000 http://www.ericbramlett.com/blog/?p=243#comment-3075 I agree the Internet doesn't do away with the need for a real estate agent. The Internet can't protect you from over paying a zealous homeowner or making sure that everything is on the up and up. What the Internet does do is make homebuyers more educated and savy on what is going on in the market. It also helps them to find homes that may be of interest, saving the realtor a bit of leg work. I agree the Internet doesn’t do away with the need for a real estate agent. The Internet can’t protect you from over paying a zealous homeowner or making sure that everything is on the up and up. What the Internet does do is make homebuyers more educated and savy on what is going on in the market. It also helps them to find homes that may be of interest, saving the realtor a bit of leg work.

]]> By: anonymous http://www.ericbramlett.com/with-the-amount-of-information-on-the-internet-today-do-buyers-really-need-a-real-estate-professional/#comment-2965 anonymous Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:36:17 +0000 http://www.ericbramlett.com/blog/?p=243#comment-2965 Wow, I know this might be hearsay, but when I look for our next home I will be much more likely to go it alone or only pay for the services I actually use. Realtors do help first time buyers. However, once you've been through the process, the realtor is pretty much the key holder (to see homes and in nondisclosure states like TX to comps) only. Realtors are helpful, but really only because they are ingrained in the system and its difficult to get the system to respond without a Realtor. Wow, I know this might be hearsay, but when I look for our next home I will be much more likely to go it alone or only pay for the services I actually use. Realtors do help first time buyers. However, once you’ve been through the process, the realtor is pretty much the key holder (to see homes and in nondisclosure states like TX to comps) only.

Realtors are helpful, but really only because they are ingrained in the system and its difficult to get the system to respond without a Realtor.

]]> By: Lou Lynch http://www.ericbramlett.com/with-the-amount-of-information-on-the-internet-today-do-buyers-really-need-a-real-estate-professional/#comment-2929 Lou Lynch Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:21:21 +0000 http://www.ericbramlett.com/blog/?p=243#comment-2929 Thanks James - Good to see you over here. It is great being able to contribute to such an insightful community. In response to the comment two comments above "Sell my house". I am not 100% clear on what you are trying to say. Do you have some personal experience or information on a bad builder? And exactly how does that relate to the problems with our current mortgage market? We as REALTORS can make assumptions about what a homeowner can afford or the structural quality of a home but for the most part we allow attorneys, mortgage professionals and home inspectors advise our clients on how to proceed. I am not saying we hold no responsibility but in your scenario, there is no way the REALTOR him/herself can be to blame. There is just so much due diligence that can be done. Lastly, I can't see how on earth you can use that experience to make a statement about the industry as a whole. Thanks James – Good to see you over here. It is great being able to contribute to such an insightful community.

In response to the comment two comments above “Sell my house”. I am not 100% clear on what you are trying to say. Do you have some personal experience or information on a bad builder? And exactly how does that relate to the problems with our current mortgage market?

We as REALTORS can make assumptions about what a homeowner can afford or the structural quality of a home but for the most part we allow attorneys, mortgage professionals and home inspectors advise our clients on how to proceed. I am not saying we hold no responsibility but in your scenario, there is no way the REALTOR him/herself can be to blame. There is just so much due diligence that can be done. Lastly, I can’t see how on earth you can use that experience to make a statement about the industry as a whole.

]]> By: James Boyer Morristown NJ http://www.ericbramlett.com/with-the-amount-of-information-on-the-internet-today-do-buyers-really-need-a-real-estate-professional/#comment-2927 James Boyer Morristown NJ Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:28:00 +0000 http://www.ericbramlett.com/blog/?p=243#comment-2927 Yes, great post Lou. When reading your post the thoughts of you get what you pay for constantly came to mind. In this case though you paid for it but then refused to use it, kind of like some of the home buyers who think that somehow they can work a better deal if they go to the listing agent to write their offer for a home. I can say without any hesitation that in some cases the home seller might possibly be getting a better deal, and the listing REALTOR is getting a much better deal, but the buyer is getting the shaft. Keep up the great writing. Jim Yes, great post Lou. When reading your post the thoughts of you get what you pay for constantly came to mind. In this case though you paid for it but then refused to use it, kind of like some of the home buyers who think that somehow they can work a better deal if they go to the listing agent to write their offer for a home. I can say without any hesitation that in some cases the home seller might possibly be getting a better deal, and the listing REALTOR is getting a much better deal, but the buyer is getting the shaft.

Keep up the great writing.

Jim

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