I just got off the phone with a perspective home buyer who thus informed me that her realtor advised her not to get a survey. Because all a survey would do is create problems with the seller and potentially create conflict with the neighbors. The realtor said to that it is always a good idea, when moving into a new house to get along with the neighbors.
Client hired me for an existing conditions plan and consultation on a zoning board of appeals hearing so he would not sound like an idiot before the board. Got him his plan within 24 hours as it was a pseudo-emergency, called him the day before the hearing to give him the presentation and consultation. Client said the Town told him to go in blind without any help. Then he became cryptic talking about two attorneys involved in something and he could not tell me anything until after the approval at the board of appeals except that he wants to use the credit for the consultation he did not use for me to do more work on a different lot. His credit is now reduced because he never called me to stop my work on the presentation.
How about the Town telling people they should plant a fence 6" on their side of the boundary to be 'neighborly'? We tell them, "It's your land, use it or you could lose it."
Too bad Pat May isn't around anymore, she'd have a good comment for that realtor.
No doubt that one has been on the bad end of some problems a survey did expose. Which obviously protects the buyer so they can make an informed decision, maybe even back out. But to "recommend" to not get one is really pushing the envelope of professional services
Just like she doesn't want anything to do with surveyors, it's likely no surveyor wants anything to do with her. Good luck, get your money up front...
Or She knows there are problems with that particular lot and knows the buyer will back out once the problems are discovered.
James
Keep in mind how the system works.
The Real Estate Agent only gets paid when the deal closes. If your survey shows something that kills the deal, that takes money out of the pocket of the Real Estate Agent.
When someone insists on a survey you can count on the Real Estate Agent to favor those who are very low cost and very low quality. A "cheap" survey is less likely to find problems than a "first class" survey. At least, that is the thought process.
Larry P
I wonder what the realtor would think if you told a perspective home buyer that they need a survey to make sure they are buying what they think they are buying, and they could save a lot of money if they didn't use the realtor.
As a matter of fact, that realtor is probably "not" working for the buyer, and is only making money on commission of the sale. They have no business steering the buyers away from something that might disclose problems with the purchase. That would be like advising they don't get a house inspection; afterall what if the inspection found a fault in the foundation.
If I was the buyer and a realtor told me that, I would INSIST on having a survey done. It's the sellers that usually don't want a survey (or home inspection) unless forced.
No kidding Adam. At the end of the day all realtors are working for the seller and just want to close the deal.
However, in MI there is a form that must be signed by all parties indicating the status of the realtors. "Sellers Agent" or "Buyers Agent", and there is a list of things they are supposed to do to protect their respective client in terms of due diligence (buyer) and disclosures (seller). I think it's all smoke & mirrors, but it's a step in the right direction and likely helps some of the more uninformed sellers/buyers.
I hope you told that fellow that it sounds like the realtor is only interested in the realtor's commission and not in his interests.
Wow-
my latest referral was from a realtor, whose client is now concerned about their lines. The sale closed last October on a 20 Ac tract. owner now want to take down some bug killed trees and check on the location of a neighbor's building near a back line.
After talking with them, they're willing to wait another 6 weeks for most of the snow to go off to help keep the cost down.
If a used car salesman told them to "not have a mechanic look at a car because it would only make someone mad"...what conclusions could be drawn?
I would advise that buyer to find another realtor as the one they are using is obviously not working with their best interests in mind. I have been thinking about a letter that would be written to the realtor or the brokering agent cautioning them about discouraging clients from getting a survey, but I don't really do much of that type of work and I think it would fall on deaf ears anyways.
> I just got off the phone with a perspective home buyer who thus informed me that her realtor advised her not to get a survey. Because all a survey would do is create problems with the seller and potentially create conflict with the neighbors. The realtor said to that it is always a good idea, when moving into a new house to get along with the neighbors.
Did the realtor tell them that after they move in, the neighbor will have a survey done and they will find all the conflicts.....
> I just got off the phone with a perspective home buyer who thus informed me that her realtor advised her not to get a survey. Because all a survey would do is create problems with the seller and potentially create conflict with the neighbors. The realtor said to that it is always a good idea, when moving into a new house to get along with the neighbors.
Here's a case where an attorney could be useful.
Call the prospective buyer back and ask him/her to call their attorney and ask his opinion of the conversation.
Was that a PROFESSIONAL Realtor or just
a Realtor?
Everyone wants to be a "professional".
I wonder if that realtor could be turned into the Board?
The professional would have to be looking after the interests of the buyer.
Who would want to spend all that money and find out later there are problems?
Seems like the best neighbors would all know where their property lines and corners are and respect them along with respecting each other.
Realtors = What a waste of money!
Speaking as Both a Surveyor and Salesperson
Yes, that is correct. I am a licensed land surveyor and a licensed real estate salesperson. My real estate work must go through a licensed real estate broker. Realtor@ refers to being a member of the National Realtors Association only.
That is a "prospective" home buyer who may have his own personal perspective on the issue at hand.
The relationship of the "real estate agent" to the "prospective buyer" may be as the (1) buyer's agent, (2) seller's agent or (3) transaction broker. If a buyer's agent, he needs to be reported to his State's licensing board for unethical practice as he is fully responsible to look after the best interests of the buyer regardless of whether or not the deal closes. If a seller's agent, he needs to be reported to his State's licensing board because he is intentionally failing to disclose known problems to the buyer. If a transaction broker, who does not actually represent either party but assists with the business of getting them together and handling the necessary closing functions, he still needs to be reported. The State agency wants to find this type of scum and remove their licenses. Failing to report such wrongdoing leads to a higher percentage of real estate professionals continuing to do such things.
One problem is eager buyers. They have already decided they are going to purchase a specific tract so long as they can buy it at what they deem to be a reasonable price. Any other issue is totally unimportant to them until they have all the paperwork done and actual possession. These people are fools. They are concerned that, if they actually learn about problems in advance of the conclusion of the closing, they will need to do one of two bad things. One bad thing being to backout of the deal and losing what they think of as a good opportunity for them. The other bad thing is to go ahead anyway, then have to admit forever that they knew it was a bad deal but felt compelled to close on it anyway.
Dear Client,
Please send a letter to my office stating what your Realtor stated and the purpose of you cancelling this project for our files.
ty
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I am sure a good lawyer could do something with that letter.
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Nobody wants any extra expense when buying something that major.
Some things are simply necessary to guarantee the investment.
The bottom line of having a survey is to resolve any existing problems and/or show the facts about the property and boundaries.
This is an attempt of a Realtor to absorb the surveying fees to his own gain and sweep under the rug any possible problems that will eventually be found. Better to be known by the buyer now than by a neighbor after closing.
Too much talk from people not caring about there clients concerns.
Many of these same people tell clients that they don't owe the surveyor if the deal closes or that they get paid when it closes and not before.
I know that some on here are Realtors. I still would not take a survey order from you unless you put in writing that you are responsible for payment of my invoice within 60days of invoice date.
😉
> Too bad Pat May isn't around anymore, she'd have a good comment for that realtor.
>
> No doubt that one has been on the bad end of some problems a survey did expose. Which obviously protects the buyer so they can make an informed decision, maybe even back out. But to "recommend" to not get one is really pushing the envelope of professional services
>
> Just like she doesn't want anything to do with surveyors, it's likely no surveyor wants anything to do with her. Good luck, get your money up front...
Sounds like realtor had had their ethics surgically removed and JaRo may have a real good point too.:-(
> realtor advised her not to get a survey. Because all a survey would do is create problems . (Problems for the Realtor, that is)
I second that, Mr Cash!
