FAQ - Willard Morris

ASK A REALTOR

WHAT DOES IT COST A BUYER TO USE A REALTOR?

There is NO COST for a buyer to use a realtor in a traditional realtor/buyer relationship.
The compensation a realtor receives typically comes from the seller’s proceeds.

CAN MY REALTOR GIVE ME INFORMATION OR SHOW ME PROPERTIES THAT ARE LISTED WITH OTHER COMPANIES?
Most definitely, if the company is a member of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) - most real estate companies are members. It is best to always work with just one realtor.

WHAT IF I FIND A PROPERTY ON MY OWN? SHOULD I CALL THE LISTING REALTOR?
Please don’t. Immediately call your own realtor with the information. Your realtor will then contact the listing realtor and acquire all the information for the property as well as arrange a viewing if you wish to see the property. Again, for the best results and service, work with just one realtor.

WHAT TYPE OF INFORMATION WILL MY REALTOR NEED FROM ME?
During a pre-showing consultation, your realtor will need to know if you are pre-approved, what price range you will be looking at, possession date, if you have a home to sell first, type of home (ranch, two-story, bi-level, etc.), family home or investment, size, garage, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, location, distance from amenities and type of landscaping. Your realtor may also ask about your life style. For instance, what hobbies interest you, if you and your family are into cooking, entertaining, movie or video games, sports, crafts, art, woodworking, working on cars or recreation machines, etc. These types of activities help your realtor understand what special features in a home would be of particular interest to you and your family and will help with the selection of suitable homes to view.

SHOULD I GO TO OPEN HOUSES WITHOUT MY REALTOR?
Certainly, you can but be sure you let the hosting realtor know right at the beginning that you are already represented by a realtor. Let your own realtor know what you thought of the house so he can contact the listing realtor and pass along your comments.

SHOULD I CONTACT AND/OR MEET WITH NEW HOME BUILDERS WITHOUT MY REALTOR?
Let your realtor accompany you on your first visit to a new home builder. Most new home builders are willing to work with realtors but only if the realtor introduces the client. Many clients are afraid their realtor will be annoyed if they ask to see new homes so they often make contact with the builder without informing their realtor, until after the fact. Most realtors have their clients best interests as their top priority and want their clients to be happy with their purchase, even if it means they won’t be making a sale this time around. The odds are you will be calling on your realtor for real estate service in the future so the realtor will be happy to accompany you to make sure you are getting the best deal possible and that you understand all of the requirements. Experienced realtors build their business brick by brick through strong relationships that stand up over many years.

WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO FIND OUT ABOUT NEW PROPERTIES COMING ONTO THE MARKET?
Choose a realtor and that realtor will keep you informed, otherwise view ads and websites.
Willard Morris & Company subscribes to a computer program for their clients that notifies buyers directly through their email of houses that have just come on the market and match their criteria. There is NO OBLIGATION TO BUY and NO COST to this advantage.

WHAT IF I AM UNHAPPY AND WANT TO SWITCH REALTORS?
No problem. Let the first realtor know you are unhappy and the reasons why. Sometimes personalities clash and styles of communication and expectations differ. Try to solve the issues. If that doesn’t work, tell the realtor you no longer want to work with him/her and find another realtor. Buying a home should be fun, exciting, and enjoyable.

HOW CAN I GET MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED?
If you have any questions concerning buying, selling or improving real estate in areas such as financial, legal, home staging, home inspections, appraisals, etc., we will get you the answers and provide you with a personal email or telephone response as well as post your question on this bulletin board. Simply fill in the information below and ask your question. Click on SUBMIT and watch your email for our reply.