In keeping with my last post about Real Estate search sites I’d like to deal with some of the realities of searching online. Number one is that to see inside of a house you need some one to let you in. With For Sale by Owners, or discount brokerages you may well be dealing directly with the home owner. In most cases you have to get through the gauntlet of Real Estate agents.
I have a Real Estate license, but didn’t get the key card to open key boxes. Like you, I prefer not getting contacted repeatedly by a Real Estate agent just because I went to look at a house.
The two things I recommend is making a Sunday tour of Open Houses in the area you are interested in, but also there are Broker’s Opens during the week, in the middle of the day. Sunday Opens are easier.
If any one asks, tell them you are working with an agent. You can tell them you will be writing your offer with redfin or WaLaw, or you can mention my name, or any agent’s name. From that point on you should have some insulation.
If you do want to see houses, and a lot of people do, you can contract with an agent for home tours. I think redfin offers the service, but pretty much any discount, desk fee agent can also open doors for you. The going rate, if I recall correctly is $250 for a set amount of time.
We will probably run some Buyer Agency Classes this year that will include a bus tour of houses, but there are only so many hours in a day.
About David Losh
In 1984 I got my Real Estate license and worked in a small company called Advance Properties. The owner was extremely interested in Real Estate, building, and land development. Most of his work was concentrated North of Seattle. Since the 1970s I had worked for Real Estate agents in Seattle as a contractor, mostly preparing properties for rent, and sale.
After a few years my skill level increased considerably concerning land use, building code, and development practices. Escrow, and lending offices were housed at the Advance Properties building so it was easy to get involved in all aspects of Real Estate. It was very much a family owned, and operated business.
Over the years my Real Estate license has been at a variety of Real Estate companies, and offices. Nothing compares to those early years, or that sense of family. Real Estate has gotten to be corporate owned.
My hope with this blog is to share with you some of the things I've learned. If you have Real Estate needs, or want contractor help, I refer freely to what best suits you. If you should choose to work with me you'll find a great resource.
My Real Estate license is at Skyline Properties in Northgate. Skyline is a locally owned company that is a desk fee office. There is a wide variety of diverse agents. It helps me with some of the other projects that I have, and mentoring that I do, to be able to work with people from other cultures.
Here in Seattle we are close to Vancouver BC and are the gateway to China. Boeing has a great trade relationship with China, as does Microsoft have with all of Asia. We are a culturally diverse community, and it helps me to be invlolved.
