What does a Real Estate Agent do?

Is it reasonable to think that a realtor has actually walked through the house before they show it to you?

If you say you want a house with no foundation and roof issues and that the electricity and plumbing be up to city code, and they keep sending you links online for houses that are clearly not up to this standard.

Again what does a realtor do?

The realtor showed us a house and the first question I asked was when the roof was put on, they didn't know, the house was moldy, the electricity was not up to code and there were foundation issues.

So I switched to another realty company, told them what my expectations were and 2 hours later I got an email with links to two other houses that we had already seen that we not up to code. So I wrote her back and said this house on this street is not livable while it is being fixed up, and that there were foundation issues and electrical issues, the other other house outside of city limits literally says on the description that all the trash has not been removed from the property and it does need work.

Do realtors just depend on websites themselves and not know what is going on?

Basically a miniscule amount of data entry, and depositing/cashing a check.

I contacted a realtor in 2012 in Illinois. I made it very clear I was selling my home, to be sold as is. She set the price range from $179k to $185k. This gave me some wiggle room to work with, knowing my home had some needs. It is a solid brick, two-bedroom, two-bath, has a full basement, a stone fireplace, total of three and a half garages and many unique stone and brick amenities. The home was built by a masonry and has many new things, like an $18,000 well, new water heater, concrete ramp, outside stairway, a unique location and property on the river. When I got the first offer, my Realtor started by telling me what a great offer this is: pre-approved, no contingencies and his offer is $144k, plus I pay his $4k closing. We had further counters back and forth. Now, three months later, my home may not even appraise out at $150k. I said no, and finally she convinced me, or should I say coerced me to agree to the $150k and his closing.

As we were going over agreement points, I saw “Sold as Is not initialed by buyer.” The Realtor tells me to initial it and she'll get me a revised copy. I was out of state at this time, so all this was being done by phone and fax.

After about a week, I was contacted by the lawyer my realtor got for me, telling me this buyer has a list of things (big things – most very obvious as you view my home) he wants done to go forward. I said no to all and another week went by. Then I hear he'll take some of my personal big ticket items. Again I said no. I am done, and besides, with all of the time that has passed, the closing date won't work and I still have no appraisal.

I heard nothing for another week. Then, he said he will take the house as is, and I was told I must go through with sale or be sued. There were so many other unethical things done during this month of torture. All I wanted to do was sell my home, but I am not underwater, behind on my mortgage or in foreclosure. So if this is how I am being abused, intimidated, and manipulated by my own Realtor and lawyer, what are they doing to those who are being forced to sell their homes, and what should I do?

I no longer want to sell my home using either of these people who were suppose to have my back and looking out for my interests, yet tell me I am in trouble. Now I am told I must sell to this buyer. What are my rights?

If we live in a different state from the one in which we bought a new house, once the house is recorded and the closing complete, is it kosher for the agent to mail keys to us?

What is the responsibility of a deals secretary? That was my question.

I agree with anon153900, above. I am starting courses to work in this industry and anon is right, commission is not that much. They need to change the system, every couple of years the way Real estate works is changing making it hard for agents to make any money. And desk fees, photo copies, fax's, an agent pays for it all. Even if you work for a top broker, you technically work for your self, so you have to bear the cost of it all. That being said, you get what you put into it. Work hard and you will see some financial reward. It may take years though.

First off, let's do the math. Yes agents get around 6 percent (but it is negotiable) so $200k sales price nets 12k in commissions paid. Big payday for the Realtor right? Wrong! Now the listing agent must split the $12k with the buyers agent so that knocks it down to $6k, of which the listing agent will again split with the broker or office that they work for, so now they have $3k-$4k left of which they have to pay advertising expenses, taxes, fuel, etc.

Fact is, most agents actually get to keep around 1.5 percent of the commissions! So that's $15k in pretax earnings for every million dollars sold! Not to mention the fees that are sucked from an agent every year in the form of MLS and Realtor dues, license fees, office fees, etc. It takes around $5000 just in annual fees before they even earn a commission dollar.

All in all, we realtors don't make a killing like everyone thinks, just to clear it up with the math.

Now as for the posts with the questions about inspection reports, and who should pay what,etc.

This is what our job is for. We don't spend all day driving around showing people homes, and taking clients to lunch like on bravo. Our job is to make sure that you get the most out of your real estate transaction. Meaning you get more money when you sell, and you are protected from oversights when you buy. The realtor should take care of all of the issues that you are looking at, along with presenting your side to the listing party. Hope this clears things up a little.

One does not need a realtor, nor will I ever use one in the Madison WI area. I had a very bad experience with two so called top rated realtors in the Madison Wi.

both realtors did not know what degrees were. They advertised on their website that they are up to date with a real estate laws -- just words.

So now I have studied up on how to sell your house without using a realtor and save money to the buyer. Let's get real: realtors charge 6 percent to sell your home, so lets do the math: 200k listing at 6 percent = $12,000 dollars. 250k listing at 6 percent = $15,000. 300k listing = $18,000 -- you get the message.

One more thought: Once you sign the inspection report, this lets the realtor off the hook for any legal action in case they screwed up and they do all the time.

We are interested in a certain house, and have had an inspection. We have the report, and now are wondering who's typically responsible for applying dollar amounts to the things that need to be fixed?

We would like money taken off the price of the house in the form of a closing credit.

Thanks everyone for your comments – much appreciated!

We are interested in a certain house, and have had an inspection. We have the report, and now are wondering who's typically responsible for applying dollar amounts to the things that need to be fixed? Is it the agent, the buyer, or the attorney? We would like money taken off the price of the house in the form of a closing credit. But am I or my fiance supposed to be the ones doing this type of legwork?

What happens when a buyer uses a realty brokerage and enters into an agreement of purchase and sale with an illegal builder?

What should the realtor have done to protect the client?

Hello uccg1: The top agents I have worked with do not count the number of listings. Instead, they count the number of dollars closed, e.g. the one, two, and three million dollar club for annual closed deals. Listings mean nothing, closing is all that matters.

How many listings does a top sales agent do on an average monthly basis, or annually?