"JD" wrote in message
m...

Caliban wrote in message
. net...
"JD" wrote
Caliban wrote
"JD" wrote
This too is off. There are very few true buyer's agents out
there --
the
kind that you sign a contract with.

I know of three states where buyer's agent contracts are usual. From
my
internet perusal, I suspect Georgia is one of them.

Wow! Even if you're correct, that's 3/50. An amazing 6%!

I miswrote, so it's actually 4/50 that I know for sure have provisions
for
buyer's agents. Searching for "buyer's agent Alabama law" on Google and
then
subsequent states indicated that the first ten states (alphabetically)
all
have state laws describing the function of buyer's agents. I didn't
check
beyond the first ten.

I gave my direct experience. Now give yours: Please list the states that
do
not have legal provision for buyer's agents.

I never said the legal provisions did not exist. I am reacting to your
assertion that the practice of contracted buyer agency is "usual" and I
doubt that you can provide any valid statistics showing any meaningful
volume of buyer agency contracting.

I doubt you can provide statistics showing otherwise.

No big deal.

The idea of contracted buyer's agency is relatively new in the residential
market. Around 1990 there was a big fuss over it, primarily due to the
efforts of one seminar guy hawking his program.

They attempted to sell the idea to agents with the promise of loyal
buyers.
The few agents who bought into it, in turn sell the idea to prospective
buyers by promoting fear and distrust.

The truth is, good agents never bought into the notion and don't need to
hook buyers that way -- they do it with good service.

A good agent makes sure he or she can stay in business. That means not
giving away all your services.

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with a buyer's agent agreeing to a
kind of interview period, whereby the potential client can get a feel for
what he or she can do for them, then asking for a contract.

I don't see any significant difference between this and a seller's agent
listing contract.

Most importantly, historically, the best agents, the ones with the most
experience and longevity are those who consistently list properties.
Agents
who push buyer's agency contracts tend to have little experience, weak
negotiating skills and poor customer service. They tell you that they give
you the best personal service because if they happen to hook you, you're
likely to be the only contract they have.

Seller's agents give the same line.