Recommendations for a Buyer's Agent
Can anyone recommend a good buyer’s agent? I’m in the market to buy a condo. I actually have located the property I’m interested in and would now like to enlist a buyer’s agent to assist me in making a reasonable offer (and who hopefully can help me get a sense of what comparables in the…
Can anyone recommend a good buyer’s agent? I’m in the market to buy a condo. I actually have located the property I’m interested in and would now like to enlist a buyer’s agent to assist me in making a reasonable offer (and who hopefully can help me get a sense of what comparables in the area are going for and any more info I may not have access to). I was curious about Corley Real Estate having attended a viewing with one of their agents, but can’t tell from their website if they also handle buyers. Any tips? And is it customary to ask a buyer’s agent to help with making an offer even if they haven’t had a hand in helping locate a property? Thanks … I’m a first-time buyer, by the way, but that’s probably very obvious.
I think Donald Brennan is a great buyers agent. He seems to be very honest and patient. I am working with him in developing a condo conversion now. He is willing to do a lot of leg work and get to know a property before giving advice.
Since you did not list an buyers agent when your say the property might have to pay 3 to 6 percent of the price for his/her services.
I think the world of Martin Keaton at Corcoran. I found him to be very honest, patient and was available to counsel us on concerns that came up during the course of our purchase – and they were numerous!!
I would avoid the mom and pop agencies – we found SOME of them to be absolute nightmares to work with and completely unethical.
I highly recommend Judd Harris from Brown Harris Stevens. He know Brooklyn as he lives in Ft. Greene and is a true pro. His number is (212) 452-4473. Tell him Bill from TBHC sent you.
Good luck!
I used a broker to look at properties. he was acttually the listing agent for the first one I looked at and seemed like a great guy…turns out he was. I’d recommend him to you but he has left the business.
I know someone else who has used the same broker in his search. it;s all about who you feel comfortable with so hopefully you will get some recommendations.
As far as whether or not it is or isn’t “done here,” it really isn’t done anywhere but lots of people have a relationship with someone they enjoy working with and that’s the key. But like I said above, some listing brokers do not split commissions and that may limit your access to properties if your broker is not being totally above board.
I think you need to do the work yourself to see what the comps are and what you feel comfortable with. Your “buyers broker” should be able to navigate all the eventual bullshit tossed by the listing agent and help you through with that and the issues regarding condos/coops and their docs.
Get a good lawyer too.
Your best bet to having a broker get you familiar with general prices in the area is to find one who works in the area. Under most circumstances, brokers from any real estate company are available to act as your agent.
Most brokers offer free consultation, so it wouldn’t hurt to look up one randomly from a well known firm about assisting you. If you also want an overview of varying prices on properties in the area, your best bet is to also look at online resources as well as attend open houses….real estate brokers utilize these same resources.
Someone will correct me if I’m wrong but generally buyer’s brokers aren’t done in this area.
OP, broker or not, best way to figure out offer is to do the homework yourself. Online and definitely in person.
And a general bit of unsolicited advice – always be prpared to walk away. It’s a financial transaction. A big one. Be as emotionally detached as you can be. Admittedly hard sometimes.
Good luck! It’s a stressful process at times, but one with a good outcome.
Thanks for this. However, the property I’m interested in is not the one for which I attended a viewing. I would be asking a buyer’s agent to assist me in making an offer on a property that she/he did not assist me in locating.
If you signed in at an open house and/or saw a property listed with a broker and did not list an agent you are currently working with, the commission will not be split if you go forward with that property.
Some realtors do not split commissions under any circumstances.