FTC releases Pamphlet To Educate Homebuyers

Ftc-logoThe FTC released a  pamphlet To educate homebuyers on choosing a real estate agent today, and it is not the most friendly document to real estate agents in my opinion. The pamphlet recommends to potential homebuyers to ask some tough questions of their real estate agents, questions that in the past have been glossed over.

  • How many homes did you sell in the past year?
  • What is your commission? Real estate commissions are negotiable.
  • What commission should I offer to another broker who finds the buyer?
  • How will you market my home?
  • Will the home be visible on popular websites?
  • Will you help the buyer get financing?
  • Can you provide a list of references?

When we have bought and sold homes, the real estate agent has always pushed that commissions were standard and unbending. Now if you are reading this site know that this is a fallacy and we have always reminded the agents that it was so.

But the majority of the homebuyers do not know this, and after last weeks attack by the FTC at 7 regional MLS’s  over stopping low cost brokers from having their listings published, the FTC is now trying to educate the population on how to avoid the 6 percent commission.

This is going to be very interesting as the old guard at the National Association of Realtors puts their lobbyists to work to try to counteract the tide.

You can read the whole consumer publication for finding a Real Estate Professional here.

Related posts:
  1. WAIT THERES MORE!!! Homebuyers Tax Credit Extension Coming Soon
  2. $8,000 New Home Buyer Tax Credit, $6,500 Old Home Buyer Tax Credit
  3. 1 in 3 Buyers Now Come From The Internet

« « Feds Looking to Change Lending Standards For Small Banks| Sold – Peter Cooper and Stuyvesant Town in Manhattan for 5.4 Billion » »

Post a Response

« Back to text comment
  • Popular

    Most Comments

    Search

    Tags

    Archives

  • Recent Comments

    • Very funny comparison. However you don't need to pay property tax on Barbies 3 Story Dream House. With the unemployment ...
      Pete | 21Mar10 | More
    • My wife has actually decided to study for and get her real eatate licence just so we dont ever have ...
      Brandon | 20Mar10 | More
    • I like your analogy in this article. The real estate economy really is like a patient who you cannot ...
      Bill Hernandez | 19Mar10 | More
    • Real Estate is hyper-local. Every market is different. Phoenix has already hit bottom and is starting to recover. We have ...
      Marc Brodeur | 19Mar10 | More
    • Great to hear that the big boys are predicting recovery sooner than most think. Thanks for the value!
      Mark Arenella | 19Mar10 | More
    • I agree--good analogy. You have to crawl before you can walk. Right now, at least in Austin, many people would ...
      Austin Mortgage | 19Mar10 | More
    • an add on to my previous comment--I suppose nationally it's hard to tell, but each city and market is in ...
      Austin Mortgage | 19Mar10 | More
    • Hmm.....interesting. Of course, I would love to see the real estate market bounce back as quickly as possible, but just ...
      Austin Mortgage | 19Mar10 | More
    • I live in the Philippines and I am glad we are not on the lists...
      homes for sale in chandler az | 19Mar10 | More
    • I have a few Litograghs of Presidents homes , made by Richard V. Sebring. yr. 1990 Do they have any ...
      Jack | 18Mar10 | More
  • Statistics

  • Friends

  • Subscribe





    Get Updates Delivered Daily By E-Mail:

    Delivered by FeedBurner