When Selling Consider Who Brings In The Buyer

Usually in a Costa Mesa real estate transaction, there are two agents involved in a transaction, but since California is one of the many states that offers dual agency, it can be less expensive to a home seller if their listing agent is the one who also brings in the buyer for their home. When selling, consider who brings in the buyer. Why? Often, a listing agent will put a home on the market (on the MLS) and that is where there job stops until another agent representing a buyer shows the house and writes an offer. It would benefit you as a potential home seller to find out who actually represents the buyer more often because that agent is more likely to have someone who would be interested in buying your home. What is the benefit? Paying less money in real estate fees for one.

Oftentimes an agent will set a contract with incentive for the listing agent to bring in a buyer by offering a lower total commission rate should that agent represent the buyer as well as the seller in a transaction. It is a simple concept, and one that should work for everyone involved. The seller pays less commission, the agent makes a little more than he would have normally, and usually everyone is happy with the arrangement. The only failing point is that the agent representing both parties must act in good faith and represent both buyer and seller equally and act as a fiduciary to both, which is possible but can certainly be challenging.

There are lots and lots of agents out there who want to tell you that they have lots and lots of buyers, but the facts speak much louder than the words. Here’s a graph as of 9/19/2011 courtesy of our local SoCal MLS system that should clear up who has worked and sold the most listings representing buyers in Costa Mesa YTD:

 

 

Obviously, I am proud that my name sits on the top of that list as of the YTD rankings right now, and I have certainly put in the hard work this year for my name to be there. If you know me, you know that I don’t brag about my business, but I am very good at what I do. Do I focus on Costa Mesa? You bet! I think I know the nuances here better than anyone else working this market. Many of the agents who focus on just listings can become disconnected from the process and what really goes on within the heads of people looking to buy here.

If you are thinking of listing your house, do your research. Don’t just list with the person who seems like they sell the most real estate in town, you might do yourself a favor by interviewing another great agent like Colin Delaney. Check out some of what I have sold to be tops of this list here.

 

[email protected] – – (714) 743-9882