buyer's agent comes in at the offer stage - lower commission? (documents, 2%)

[karen_in_nh_2012]

BBronston, thanks. I am thinking if I am the one talking/negotiating (there's actually not a whole lot to negotiate), then clearly we can talk about him saving lots of money by me not having an agent. But yes, I would definitely have a real estate attorney -- I won't go it alone!

Thanks to everyone for the replies, I appreciate them!

[bbronston]

I only know about Florida but there are a number of things to negotiate in the contract besides just the price. Some directly influence what you will do or pay for, when you'll do it, some deal with what the seller must do and when, and some deal with what you or the seller might have to pay for if something happens along the way. It's not rocket science but, if you are concentrating on the price only, you might miss something important that could cost you later.

[karen_in_nh_2012]

Definitely not only negotiating about price.

[Hollytree]

This is a no brainer. Just have your real estate lawyer do the transaction and do your own negotiations. You keep saying there is little to negotiate at this point.

[behindthescreen]

Do the rest of the work yourself since there's nothing more to do. Right?

[MikePRU]

Hi again Karen! A good real estate agent is worth their weight in gold. I can't tell you how many transactions start out as seemingly "straightforward" and later becoming total cluster F$%#'s. A good agent can keep these transactions together. A good agent will save you money by sharing their experience and know how which will allow you to avoid the pitfalls that other may fall in to. I'm sorry the first agent you dealt with did not meet your expectations, but I'm sure you can find one that will.

Some transactions are easier than others but I consider a good Realtor like an insurance policy. It's better to have one and not need it than need it and not have one.

[LynnKK]

I am confused. If you saw this house 3x by yourself, sans agent. And you arranged your own financing, home inspection, etc. Why do you feel you need an agent? At this point, you can be given a "no agency" disclosure, represent yourself...do your own negotiations with this broker/owner, agency guru and call it a day. Then, if you don't succeed in successful negotiations and secure the property, you have no one to blame but yourself.

[Zippyman]

I dont see any possibility a re broker is going to enter into a contract with an unrepresented buyer, far too much legal liability with no reward. Even if they wanted to, their e&o insurance carrier isn't going to like it.

[Zippyman]

If the agent showed the house to you, and you effectively want to take a cut of their commission at the end of the deal, I wouldn't expect a Christmas card.

If you work a deal with the seller and cut the agent out, the broker can expect some grumpiness at the very least.

It smacks of ordering a cheeseburger, eating it, then asking if the restaraunt is "firm" on the price.

[southernsmoke]

I can't tell if all of these agents really think they are necessary or if it is just some kind of instinctive "defend-your-profession" moment.

At this point, why would you even hire an agent? A good transactional lawyer would be better than a real estate agent anyway at this stage, and it sounds like you are already planning on hiring a lawyer. Real estate agents just fill in blanks on their standard form contracts--they think they are good at it because they do it relatively often, but like I said, a good lawyer can offer you much more sophisticated advice when it comes to drafting the contract. If all that is left is to hammer out the deal terms, what in the world does a real estate agent bring to the table that a lawyer doesn't?