After a few back and forth emails about updating an old boundary survey, I had kind of had it with this realtor.. was this too harsh??
Did you know that we have a previous survey on the property from 1997. Is it still going to cost that much.
Yes, I am aware of the old survey. Updating the survey requires the same amount of effort and risk exposure, if not more, given the current requirements the state has in place for professional surveyors. I would hope that a potential buyer of gulf front land would recognize the value of updating a 16 year old document. But I understand today's 'cost driven' mindset. If your client would like to hire me to do their survey, please have them contact my office. Have a great weekend.
Not at all, IMO.
No.
Good answer, and charge them a percentage of the sale price to do it!
Realtors charge....what, about 6%?
Surveyors could charge 1% or 2%.
good for you, I am trying to work out the best way to get to the client directly. I no longer bother with these types who believe it is their job to dictate what a surveyor should charge. I believe my questioning is getting closer to something along the lines of ... who are you representing the buyer or seller? what is the clients name and phone number? If I do not get a direct answer, I politely take my leave.
I might start asking if they charge less the 2nd time they sell a property?
Andy, you were very professional, however, IMHO, too nice!
Sometimes we can't say what we really think.
OK, on to the next job.
Very polite and professional, Andy,
Good Job!
Scott
Oh my!
"Surveyors could charge 1% or 2%."
That would be price fixing!!
In my opinion, it was polite and professional.
I hope a lot of guys consider that the realtor may not even understand what is involved with at second survey. Perhaps the realtor simply doesn't understand. Also, realtors are not surveyors and surveyors are not realtors. In their view, they may be asking questions about why it costs so much since there has already have been a survey done on this property in real earnest. They may think that they are looking out for their clients best interest. One extreme is comparing whether the surveyor should make money on a resale to whether the realtor should make money on a resale; but in the realtor's eyes, they may be thinking the other extreme. Like why would you pay a builder for building the house on a resale when they have already built the house and made their money.
Anyway, my point is, that if the realtor is truly simply misinformed, education might be more in order. It might be that they could be taught to understand how a new survey is in the best interest of their clients and why it is.
Admittedly, they are salesmen, and may only be looking out for whatever might prevent a sale. If it proves out that is the case, I agree that it's time to find a way to cut the strings.
Very well put.
Recently I have dealt with a couple of mortgage company reps who are so green it is pathetic. Both started out with, "I need a description." In one case, the tract we separated will be an island about 1000 feet from the nearest public road. I pointed out to the rep that they would need to address easements across the adjoining tract in some fashion. This is a case where a couple are buying what was her great-grandfather's house that is currently owned by her father as part of nearly a full section of farm land. Her father will definitely sign any easement documents needed. I am positive, knowing the family, that there is zero chance of there being a default on the mortgage being created. Nevertheless, the lender must be protected. This rep made it sound like I was speaking in Lithuanian or something because she couldn't comprehend why her company would need any easements filed along with the deed and mortgage.
:good: :good:
Very well written Andy. I might have rephrased this sentence:
> But I understand today's 'cost driven' mindset.
Just my take...
Price fixing?
Is it then price fixing when all the realtor's charge the same percentage on a sale? What's the difference??