Why is this Listing on Your Website and it’s Not Your Listing?

Plain and simply, we all share listings here in North and South Carolina – that is why the listing shows on multiple agent websites. The system that allows us to do that is IDX or Internet Data Exchange and if the listing agent requests that her listings be shared in that manner, they are shared across the board to all agents.

But, I know why you’re asking me this question – you think you’ll save money if you use the listing agent, right?

Do let me caution you about working directly with the listing gent.

Some buyers believe that going directly to the listing agents will save them the buyer’s agent portion of the commission paid by the seller. What the buyer doesn’t realize is two-fold:

1. The allegiance of the listing agent is inherently to the seller; no matter how ‘honest’ one is, it is difficult to be 100% fair to both parties in a single-agent dual sale.

2. The listing agent’s firm has a signed listing CONTRACT with the Seller; THE FIRM (who owns the listing in NC) is NOT going to allow the listing agent to give up 1/2 of the commission as per the Contract. Therefore that agent receives double commission but, also puts all parties at risk–quite selfish on behalf of the agent. The buyer has no idea that this has happened until they get to the Closing table and sometimes much later.

Buyers think that they are saving a small percentage of the list price by not having their own representation. Unfortunately the buyers don’t realize that all sellers are not 100% forthcoming when it comes to property disclosures and that small percentage (of commission) saved can cost significantly more in hidden defects. AND the agent is making DOUBLE the percentage that they would have made, including the commission that the buyers agent would have made. And, the listing agent is NOT going to coach you on comparables in YOUR favor…and they’re not going to negotiate against their sellers either. It has been proven over and over again that a buyer’s agent can negotiate a far better price than the percentage that you think you’ll be saving by using the listing agent.

Every buyer needs their OWN representation – regardless of the number of homes you’ve bought and sold!

Here’s more in an article that I wrote a few years ago on this topic.

I am not trying to sell myself – although, I suppose it does sound that way – but, if you are going to be buying a home here in Charlotte, even if you don’t use me, use your OWN broker – not the listing agent! Dual agency by agent has been banned in many states and there are plenty of reasons why! Most reasons pertain to the buyer being duped either by a contractual line or hidden issues with the home. And the horror stories I’ve heard of buyers who used the listing agent would fill a book!