Why you should call the listing agent
... to see a property you are interested in buying.
Original photo courtesy of Flickr by Nick Sayers
You think real estate agents are basically overpaid and worthless.
You are not interested in being having your best interests represented.
You are not concerned with having your bargaining position remaining confidential.
You think you know enough to handle the transaction by yourself.
You think you can save money.
Maybe yes, maybe no, but you'll never know for sure.
By working with a buyers agent, you'll find out a lot more about the property than by asking questions of the listing agent who is representing the sellers best interests, not yours. A buyers agent can usually negotiate a far better price than you can. Maybe you think dealing directly with the listing agent will result in a reduction of the real estate commission. But if it was reduced and it might not be, will you in fact save more money than the amount of the reduced commission.
In most cases (and especially with new construction), you will not save more money or get the best possible price when dealing directly with the listing agent or the new home counselor.
A buyer tip from the front lines of the Charleston real estate market.