[quote author="stepping_up" date=1239883268]I would not have a problem signing an exclusivity statement with a realtor that I really felt was going to be a good fit. My agent never asked for one, but once we started seriously working together I would not have considered working with another agent unless she did something to indicate that she was not doing her job. You really only want one agent... otherwise you have to tell your story to all the others.
As USC said, working with an educated buyer is less work, but you still won't believe how much time you spend with your buyer's agent on the phone and e-mail. If you hadn't have said that you wanted an agent to send you listings, then I would have also suggested that you talk to USC. I think he would be an excellent buyer's agent for someone who just needed contracts/negotiations and needed non business hours representation. Correct me if I"m wrong here USC, but you have a FT commitment to your employer during normal working hours whereas a FT Realtor can deal with things during the 9-5 hours. Each has a good fit.</blockquote>
The whole exclusivity contract thing has already been debated on here. My take is that I won't ask my buyers to sign one until we are ready to write an offer on a property (that way I have it for the listing agent on my files). But it really comes down to the agent on this matter.
Yes, I work as a consultant 9am-5pm Mon-Fri but I do have flexibility in terms of coming in late, taking an extended lunch, or leave early if need be and to deal with listing agents during business hours. I do have access to MLS so I can send out listings, closing comps, and set up recurring searches. I also have a Supra Key so I can take my buyers out to view properties. I've been currently working with 2 members on the board for months and I really don't care when they buy their homes as long as they find the right property at the right price for them because the commissions don't pay my bills. They are very savy know exactly what they are looking for and the areas they are looking to buy in so it's less hand holding on my part. Because of that and not needing the commission income to live on, I contribute a significant amount of my commission into escrow for my buyers plus I can pay off my grad school loans down fast with the commissions that I do make.
I initially got my licenses to do my own transactions, but after helping out a few friends and family referrals buy or lease properties I decided to represent other buyers. I enjoy giving people access to information that I have able to me being an agent and helping them make an informed decision (plus it's fun dealing with realtard listing agents...haha). I guess you can say that I'm like the TDAmeritrade of realtors and IR2 is the Goldman Sachs of realtors.
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