A little of topic, but if we're talking strict liabilities, and lawsuits?
In some cities, like San Francisco, you need to disclose in the sale of your home if anyone died in your house--even of natural causes.
Rediculious law? Something about Asian superstition? My grand mother died a natural death in here Richmond district home. The fancy realestate agent skipped through the house yelling, "You need to disclose the death!". I told my dad fine. We would have caught it eventually.
I did get his commission reduced 1 percent on the gleeful way he treats my father's/mine pain.
Why do realestate agents even exist anymore? 6-7 community college courses, and a easy test? I've never understood the need for them these days. A few years ago, the Realestae lobby got to Jerry Brown, and got him to sign a bill making it harder to become a Realestae broker. It exempted all the current cheerleaders who passed their broker's exam years ago.
What I found ironic, is the bill was presented to Arnold Schwartzeneger years ago, and he saw right through it. There was no problem with inexperienced brokers. The current brokers/cheerleaders just didn't want more competition, and wanted salespersons commissions.
That day I realized a good Republican is no different than a democrat.
While most real estate agents are completely useless I don't believe the profession is useless. A good real estate agent knows everything about the area they service. What areas have bad reputations and crime scores but are perfectly safe? What areas have development plans in the works? What are the local laws and ordinances, how does that affect your purchase? How difficult is it to get permits for types of work? Are residents fleeing an area because of upcoming re-zoning that isn't well published? They'll have a vast network of trusted service professionals that can help you renovate. They will know little things like which HOA has unreasonable board members or which homes keep going up for sale because the next door neighbor is crazy.
On top of all that small but invaluable information a good real estate agent will make the process of buying your home smoother. I don't think many people have an appreciation for how difficult it is to manage a title company, the seller's agent, three attorneys, a loan officer and the bank. Contrary to popular belief it is not always in the best interest for them to all work together. In some cases one or several of those parties my have a vested interest in slowing the process down or killing the deal completely.
Think of it this way - people with a calling in life go and do that, accepting whatever compensation that comes with it. But nobody says "I really love facilitating house sales". So people become realtors for the money and that is what they optimize for - there's no passion for the activity itself. And while there is probably the rare exception, you will only think you have found them.
Selling a house, I'd recommend skipping the realtor and hiring a good real estate attorney from the start. After you sign a realtor's contract, their entire job is based around managing your expectations and simply waiting until they convince you to lower the price enough for the transaction to clear. If you can be honest with yourself about needing to lower the price, and can manage different people asking you to leave your house (as opposed to just funneling through a single one), you're better off using that 5% as a direct incentive to buyers.
In some cities, like San Francisco, you need to disclose in the sale of your home if anyone died in your house--even of natural causes.
Rediculious law? Something about Asian superstition? My grand mother died a natural death in here Richmond district home. The fancy realestate agent skipped through the house yelling, "You need to disclose the death!". I told my dad fine. We would have caught it eventually.
I did get his commission reduced 1 percent on the gleeful way he treats my father's/mine pain.
Why do realestate agents even exist anymore? 6-7 community college courses, and a easy test? I've never understood the need for them these days. A few years ago, the Realestae lobby got to Jerry Brown, and got him to sign a bill making it harder to become a Realestae broker. It exempted all the current cheerleaders who passed their broker's exam years ago.
What I found ironic, is the bill was presented to Arnold Schwartzeneger years ago, and he saw right through it. There was no problem with inexperienced brokers. The current brokers/cheerleaders just didn't want more competition, and wanted salespersons commissions.
That day I realized a good Republican is no different than a democrat.