REaltor asks for money to view house?

Question

Because I’m 2 -3 hours away

I’ve asked a realtor to view some homes I may be interested in .

To Let me know if mold or cracked foundation is there .

If not - I’ll go see them .

He asked for a “small fee” to do this .

Anyone ever heard of this?

I Thought   it was their job to find homes which meet criteria of buyer .

What if he views homes with mold - do I then have to pay him?

Steve Vaughan · Answer

Marci, I am a DIYer through and through as you know.  A reasonable fee for walking properties for you and being a first-line inspector sounds fair.

If you ask, they will probably discount the commission or recomp you in some way a portion of this if you buy through them.  If this is a good agent/broker to you, I'd compensate them for going above and beyond no problem!

JD Martin · Answer

It's not really the realtor's job to drive around and personally view specific houses for someone that may or may not come to work with them. The realtor can/should identify possible homes that might fit the criteria of the buyer - assuming you're going to retain them as your buyer's agent - and then arrange for *you* to view the homes. How is it the realtor's problem that you are 2-3 hours away from the homes?

Russell Brazil · Answer

Im sure they would have the payment for services paid to their broker like they do with every other payment they receive.

Alexander Felice · Answer

You should absolutely pay.

Realtors have a large variety of responsibilities and motives, and the good ones will provide a lot of GREAT service for you, but this is quite the stretch.

She's not your investor partner, she's a realtor, and it sounds like she usually sells primary homes (like the vast majority do). If you don't want to show up at a house how can she make sure you LOVE it? If you're just buying it as an investment, then this is a business transaction and she deserves to make money on her service just like you're going to. Pay for her time, cost of doing business.

Russell Brazil · Answer

Yes that is their job and they can charge you anything they want for that job, and you are free to choose to hire them or not.  They likely feel, as would I that someone 3 hours away is simply wasting their time.  When I get inquiries like this, I tell them it is $350 per hour.

Marci Stein · Answer

Ok got it - pay for his time .

Thank you everyone!

Ian Walsh · Answer

Interesting.  Technically they could ask for money for services , but it's probably just easier to go to the next agent in the area.   It is not a common request.

Marci Stein · Answer

Interesting- have to look into that .

Corby Goade · Answer

In Idaho, that would be illegal. Realtors here can only legally accept payment of any kind from their broker.

REaltor asks for money to view house?

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