04-16-2009, 03:27 PM
I am *totally* with you on the principle of the thing. It seems completely anachronistic to rely on a "middleman" to do the shopping or the selling for us. (I do find the buyer's agent a more rational model than a seller's agent given the time concerns cited above but their cut is the same). But, when it comes to selling or buying, an attorney is what both sides need; the agent is mostly irrelevant. Who can't put together a listing? If the MLS wants to restrict those of us who are willing to do it ourselves, why not form another market segment? (I know some exist now).
And, don't even get me started on how agents/brokers profited on the insane housing prices during the "bubble years."
Do you hire an agent to help you buy a car? A computer? All you need is a good attorney to research title and mortgage (a good, local bank can even most of this for you).
If showing the house is a concern, hire an underemployed person you know for $50/showing and give that person your house key. They'll be thrilled to do multiple showings in one day.
And, don't even get me started on how agents/brokers profited on the insane housing prices during the "bubble years."
Do you hire an agent to help you buy a car? A computer? All you need is a good attorney to research title and mortgage (a good, local bank can even most of this for you).
If showing the house is a concern, hire an underemployed person you know for $50/showing and give that person your house key. They'll be thrilled to do multiple showings in one day.