Sunday, May 4, 2008

More about advice

Remember a couple days ago I was talking about people giving me advice like I was a moron?

I would like to make clear that I'm not anti-advice. I'm just anti- people talking to me like I'm a moron. I think JBo's comment on that post are exactly the kind of thing I was talking about. "Make sure you know the address." Indeed!

There's been a new bit of business which is people looking at me like I'm a moron for using a realtor. It's a waste of money, they say. What the fuck?

Seriously, this is the first time (and maybe even the only time if we're lucky) I'm buying a house. I took a class, sure, but other than that series of checklists and sample contracts, I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm glad there's a nice lady who gets paid to tell me what I'm supposed to be doing and when.

"Without realtors, you can negotiate a lower purchase price because the seller won't have to pay them."

Okay, except that without my realtor, I'd be floundering in the dark over here. I can't believe anyone would suggest that a first-time home buyer should not engage the services of a qualified and licensed realtor. Seriously? I mean, come on!

Thank you. That is all.

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3 Comments:

Blogger Ann Podolske said...

We've bought a lot of houses, as you know, and we used a realtor for every single one. We have a realtor we really like and who is happy to do things for us that we don't have the nerve to do. Like ask tough questions. Get concessions on price. Be a hard ass (in the nicest possible way, of course). Worth every penny....

May 4, 2008 8:17 PM  
Blogger jb said...

I think that is really good advice. Another way you can save money is to build your own car out of scrap wood or extra cardboard you have lying around the house. Why spend all that extra money on so called "engineering"?

May 5, 2008 9:32 AM  
Blogger Sunni said...

what? people really think you should buy a house without a realtor? That seems a little moronic to me.

I second the notion that a realtor can negotiate things you're too chicken to. A realtor keeps things in perspective, like when you may be prone to gloss the ugly foundation issue "just because they seem like nice people."

Using a realtor? You are very wise.

May 7, 2008 11:38 AM  

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