| Tip #17 in our series of 70 ways to save | | | | him, |
| money when buying a house is to never tell | | | | |
| your agent the top price you will pay for a | | | | We would be comfortable paying between 225- |
| house. | | | | 250 thousand for a house. |
| | | | |
| In our last tip, I explained to you the | | | | There is no telling if your agent will keep |
| importance of having your own real estate | | | | your information confidential. By law, they |
| agent on your side. And if you are going to | | | | are supposed to, but it is very hard to |
| but property you should have an agent on your | | | | prove, and you do not want to take that |
| side, especially if it does not cost you | | | | chance. By giving them a range they have all |
| anything. | | | | the information they need to do their job |
| | | | well. They can show you all the houses that |
| But, your agent is human, and there is no way | | | | meet your needs in the price range you gave |
| to tell if he/she has your best interest in | | | | him. Then, if the agent shows you a house |
| mind. The higher the price of the house you | | | | that is above your price range, you might |
| buy, and the more you pay, the larger the | | | | want to think about getting another agent. |
| commission for your agent. So if the agent | | | | |
| was selfish, she would try to get you to pay | | | | After giving a solid range, there is no |
| as much as possible. She wants you to buy the | | | | reason an agent should show you a house that |
| most expensive house you looked at because if | | | | is above your range, unless there were not |
| you buy it, it will be the largest commission | | | | enough homes in your range. But if you do |
| for her. | | | | some homework, you should easily be able to |
| | | | choose a range that you will be comfortable |
| By pushing you just a little bit towards the | | | | with and that has plenty of homes to choose |
| more expensive house, she will make a few | | | | from. |
| hundred dollars more. Not bad for a few | | | | |
| seconds of work. | | | | By keeping this information to your self you |
| | | | protect yourself from the human tendencies |
| Or say you are negotiating with the sellers, | | | | that get us all in trouble. Realtors are |
| and your agent knows you can pay more than | | | | human, and you should remember this. |
| you are offering. Will she be able to go in | | | | |
| to the sellers and really sell them on the | | | | By giving your agent a range of prices of |
| offer? Probably not. | | | | homes you want to see, you are making it |
| | | | easier on the realtor to narrow down homes to |
| That is why I suggest you never tell your | | | | show you and you can save yourself a boatload |
| agent or any real estate agent how much you | | | | of money at the same time. The best thing is, |
| can pay for a property. | | | | that you would never know if your realtor did |
| | | | something that made you pay more. Do not let |
| Your agent will ask you how much you can | | | | the realtor screw it up for you. Keep this |
| afford, but do not tell. Give a range. Tell | | | | information to yourself. |