Do you feel that Realtors should be held accountable in some way for a foreclosure. Sub-prime lenders may be giving out loans too easily, but who is pushing people into homes they might not be able to afford? In Connecticut, buyer’s agents and seller’s agents both work for commission and are part of the same Realtor organization, they want the home to sell for the highest amount possible. Should they return the commission or pay a fine if the house goes into foreclosure (within a certain time frame after the sale)?
Maybe I’m biased due to the fact that I am a Realtor, but they really should not be held accountable. A Realtor does not handle the financing part of the transaction. They might refer a client to one, but it is ultimately up to that buyer to make an informed decision, just as they did when they chose that Realtor to work with.
A potential buyer does not have to disclose any personal financial information to me, merely just a pre-approval letter stating that they can obtain a loan for X amount. I have no way of knowing what they can actually afford unless, they allow me to view their information and educate them on how the process works.
I use a lender for first time buyers that literally has told several of my potential clients they cannot afford to buy right now and need to clean up their credit and/or obtain a better income. I might have lost a deal here or there, but am alright with it in hopes they will come back to me a few years from now when they are ready and have a good experience versus the ones scrambling to get into a home they can’t afford and end up upside down in it and associate me with a sour deal.
I actually had a 1st time buyer that chose to find their own lender, thought they were getting this great deal on an interest only mortgage and when I heard the terms that were offered I told them don’t walk but run away from this lender as fast as you can. I sent them to my guy and he informed them they should wait a year, clean up their credit and be in a better position to buy. They did, we found a home better than the one they originally liked and they couldn’t be happier. By the way both homes were priced similar and same down payment – the interest only loan would have been the same payment as their now 30yr fixed payment.
So as you can see, we are not all out there to take advantage of people just to make money. I’m out there to build lasting relationships, repeat business & referrals.
Also please keep in mind trying to get the highest price isn’t going to affect how much commission an agent receives by a substantial amount. For every $10,000 the agent might receive only $100-$300 extra (Gross).
Regards,
Southeast MI Realtor