Thursday, April 03, 2008

Feedback from my weekly newsletter

Question:
Aren't all agents in a real estate transaction are ultimately paid by the buyer. Granted no "extra" money needs to come out of the buyer's pocket at the beginning of a house search, but in the end we are paying for it. Right? - Rachel

Answer:
Rachel, Thank you for your feedback.

You could look at it that way, but then you would have to say that a person who buys an automobile pays the salesperson's salary, or that you are paying the toll booth worker's salary when you cross the Tobin bridge.

Whenever you buy something, you are ultimately paying for (or at least part of) someone's salary.

A buyer's agent does not get paid directly from the Seller. They are paid by the Listing broker. In most cases the Seller pays the same amount whether there is 1 or 4 agents involved in the sale (and yes, there are many times when there are more than 2 agents invloved in a transaction).

I think what you are inferring to is that if there were no agents involved, a buyer would pay less for a home. A good buyer's agent can actually save you money, whether it is on the price of the home itself, inspection issues, knowing where to get the best mortgage, or any number of things that may be missed by the average homebuyer.

I am always open to hearing some feedback about any of the emails I send out. Please feel free to write to me any time you have a comment, suggestion or question.

Jim Armstrong
jim@armstrongfield.com


Real Estate Outlook: Market is Stirring
by Kenneth R. Harney

April 3, 2008
Affordable mortgage money is the fuel that is going to pull the real estate market out of the woods. And there are some encouraging signs that may be happening right now. Read the rest of the story at:
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20080403_realestateoutlook.htm

See the Real Estate Video News here for the latest updates on what is happening in the real estate market.


Video Real Estate Market Conditions for Salem Massachusetts