S/O expectations of realtors during a house showing.

[SpecialClassical]

When we were looking at a house our realtor would walk around with us. I understand that, but what drove me nuts was her commentary along the way. And If I mentioned a concern to my husband, she would come up with a solution. I seriously could not have a conversation with my husband because she inserted herself into everything that was said. I am of the mind that if I am going to buy a house, I am going to examine it carefully and I don't need the realtor's take on every little detail.

 

However, I'm wondering if I should have expected that as normal realtor behavior? I am an introvert and the realtor was an extrovert, so maybe it was a personality thing?

 

 

[sparrow]

I think it's a personality thing, but not necessarily an introvert/extrovert thing. Our favorite realtor was young and very extroverted, almost a little loud, so the complete opposite of me :001_smile: . She would let us walk around on our own and agreed with on us on some funky findings (the house that smelled like manure and had a bidet or the red shag carpet in the basement of the house lovingly dubbed "70s teen scream murder movie house"). She never overstepped and would actually back out of rooms when she could see dh and I seriously discussing things.

 

I think it's important for realtors to read their clients. Some may want input and solutions, but many are just talking it out with their spouse. I think *most* realtors know when to back off and you, unfortunately, had an irritating one :rolleyes: .

[Ecclecticmum]

Maybe she felt she was helping?

 

It is her job, and she would get the commission I presume if she sold the place. Many realtor places are getting more heavy handed with realtors on the amount of houses sold, you don't sell enough you get fired.

 

So it could be taken as either she was offering helpful solutions to your problems, or she was desperate to make a sell, need the money and/or her job.

 

I do completely understand we're your coming from though, I prefer realtors to be like proper butlers, never seen nor heard unless you want help and suddenly they magically appear :laugh: I don't like when they hover round me, for our place I was close to turning around and telling him he was weird. I can't explain it, except to say he was literally "nosing" into everything. Not so much speaking but when we came to a doorway his head would peek between ours and look into the room, like a curious puppy "heeeeyyy, its a bathroom *looks up at us* *peers around room and slowly pulls head back out of doorway* :w00t: rofl

[Guest]

Hmmm... we bought our house online (LOL) without actually seeing it in person because we were out of state at the time. We are actually moving out-of-state again, so we might have to do the same thing. If I do view a house with a realtor, I guess it depended on my mood and how well I got along with the realtor.

[Garga]

The car saleslady was like that when we bought a car recently. She went with us on the test drive (none of the other dealers did that) and pointed out every tiny little feature in the car. It was a little irritating and DH and I sat there in silence because if we tried to talk, she'd jump in.

 

We had to make excuses to get away from her at the dealership so we could talk.

 

I'm extroverted and it bothered me.

[SpecialClassical]

 

 

Thankfully ours gave us some time to look at it without her following us around. I appreciated that. I'm an introvert too. So I didn't say much. Some of the stuff the realtor said drove me batty as well. I can't stand sale's people in general. She was always looking for something to make us feel attracted to the house. At one point she asked if we had a pet. No...we don't. I think we drove her nuts because we didn't say anything. LOL

 

 

 

Hmm, I think I will adopt your method and drive the realtor crazy!

[SpecialClassical]

I think it's a personality thing, but not necessarily an introvert/extrovert thing. Our favorite realtor was young and very extroverted, almost a little loud, so the complete opposite of me :001_smile: . She would let us walk around on our own and agreed with on us on some funky findings (the house that smelled like manure and had a bidet or the red shag carpet in the basement of the house lovingly dubbed "70s teen scream murder movie house"). She never overstepped and would actually back out of rooms when she could see dh and I seriously discussing things.

 

I think it's important for realtors to read their clients. Some may want input and solutions, but many are just talking it out with their spouse. I think *most* realtors know when to back off and you, unfortunately, had an irritating one :rolleyes: .

 

Your realtor does sound great. I suppose it is tricky to know what the clients want.

[SpecialClassical]

Maybe she felt she was helping?

 

It is her job, and she would get the commission I presume if she sold the place. Many realtor places are getting more heavy handed with realtors on the amount of houses sold, you don't sell enough you get fired.

 

So it could be taken as either she was offering helpful solutions to your problems, or she was desperate to make a sell, need the money and/or her job.

 

I do completely understand we're your coming from though, I prefer realtors to be like proper butlers, never seen nor heard unless you want help and suddenly they magically appear :laugh: I don't like when they hover round me, for our place I was close to turning around and telling him he was weird. I can't explain it, except to say he was literally "nosing" into everything. Not so much speaking but when we came to a doorway his head would peek between ours and look into the room, like a curious puppy "heeeeyyy, its a bathroom *looks up at us* *peers around room and slowly pulls head back out of doorway* :w00t: rofl

 

Your realtor sounds like a character out of a movie! I think you are right, I want a butler for an agent!

 

And you are right. She liked to help. She tried to help me parent my children as well. We are both homeschoolers and she told me she was so glad they homeschooled because her (grown-up) girls believed exactly the same way as the realtor and dh. Personally, I don't want my kids to be clones of me.

[SpecialClassical]

Hmmm... we bought our house online (LOL) without actually seeing it in person because we were out of state at the time. We are actually moving out-of-state again, so we might have to do the same thing. If I do view a house with a realtor, I guess it depended on my mood and how well I got along with the realtor.

 

Good luck with the move. I sincerely hope you are able to see your house in person. If not, maybe there is a local WTM member who would tour it for you!

[SpecialClassical]

The car saleslady was like that when we bought a car recently. She went with us on the test drive (none of the other dealers did that) and pointed out every tiny little feature in the car. It was a little irritating and DH and I sat there in silence because if we tried to talk, she'd jump in.

 

We had to make excuses to get away from her at the dealership so we could talk.

 

I'm extroverted and it bothered me.

 

Wow. Being closed in the car with someone like that? Poor you.

[Mrs Mungo]

Whenever we've looked at homes, we've walked around with the realtor, pointed out what we liked/didn't like, then the realtor gave us time to talk it over by ourselves while still in the house. But, while the realtor walks around with us, it's their job to point out features-hardwood floors, updated windows or fixtures, hard to find features in the area/price range (like a large kitchen or large yard or updated bathrooms), etc. We've often even had realtors say things like, "and this is where you could put the hot tub!" They are getting paid to sell you the house, so I think that's to be expected. I don't think it's out of place to say something like, "could we get a minute alone to discuss it privately," after walking around with the realtor. They also want your feedback to pass on to the realtor who works for the homeowner. If a lot of people have an issue with something (say, wall colors), then the realtor will suggest that the homeowners change it.

[HomeschoolMamaOfTwo]

Maybe you need a new realtor? They aren't all like this. I'd tell her you need some time to discuss things without her and if she doesn't allow that or doesn't like it, tell her maybe she isn't the right fit for you.

[SpecialClassical]

Whenever we've looked at homes, we've walked around with the realtor, pointed out what we liked/didn't like, then the realtor gave us time to talk it over by ourselves while still in the house. But, while the realtor walks around with us, it's their job to point out features-hardwood floors, updated windows or fixtures, hard to find features in the area/price range (like a large kitchen or large yard or updated bathrooms), etc. We've often even had realtors say things like, "and this is where you could put the hot tub!" They are getting paid to sell you the house, so I think that's to be expected. I don't think it's out of place to say something like, "could we get a minute alone to discuss it privately," after walking around with the realtor. They also want your feedback to pass on to the realtor who works for the homeowner. If a lot of people have an issue with something (say, wall colors), then the realtor will suggest that the homeowners change it.

 

 

This sounds more professional than what we experienced. You made some good points.

[SpecialClassical]

Maybe you need a new realtor? They aren't all like this. I'd tell her you need some time to discuss things without her and if she doesn't allow that or doesn't like it, tell her maybe she isn't the right fit for you.

 

 

I'm sorry; this was in the past. The other thread made me think of it, but I can see by re-reading my post that I wasn't clear. We won't be using her again. She also shared private info with the seller's agent, so that was the final mistake for her.

[HomeschoolMamaOfTwo]

I'm sorry; this was in the past. The other thread made me think of it, but I can see by re-reading my post that I wasn't clear. We won't be using her again. She also shared private info with the seller's agent, so that was the final mistake for her.

 

Oh, OK, sorry! :)

[Trish]

I do think that sounds over the top. A good realtor won't make people feel uncomfortable. But it's a good time to remember that the realtor works for the seller! (unless you're paying him/her)

[TranquilMind]

When we were looking at a house our realtor would walk around with us. I understand that, but what drove me nuts was her commentary along the way. And If I mentioned a concern to my husband, she would come up with a solution. I seriously could not have a conversation with my husband because she inserted herself into everything that was said. I am of the mind that if I am going to buy a house, I am going to examine it carefully and I don't need the realtor's take on every little detail.

 

However, I'm wondering if I should have expected that as normal realtor behavior? I am an introvert and the realtor was an extrovert, so maybe it was a personality thing?

 

 

Tell the Realtor you would like to look on your own with your husband and you'll come back to her if you have questions.

[skeeterbug]

I'm happy for a realtor to show us the whole house, point out things we might have missed, etc. and then leave us alone to go back and look again. I don't mind if they stick with us that first run through as long as they give us some privacy afterwords.