House Hunting and Bad Realtor's

Well... me and my parents decided on buying a house. We are gonna split the mortgage 50/50.
Were looking at getting a duplex, so I can live on one side and they can live on the other...
I'm thinking most people would say why would you want to live with your parents, well mine have CP (Cerebral Palsy) so I kinda wanna stay close just incase of emergencies.

But anyway my dad is kinda making me do all the work (go figure) and I a lady at work told me her husband just became a realtor and I could go and ask him for help. (This is our first hosue by the way)
So off I went to to see him and he is a awesome dude and he even got us connections within the bank so our interest rate is lower then most.

The dumb part about this is that he NEVER tells us when a new house comes on the market (so they already have offers before we even know about them) and somehow he points the finger at me, when I think it's really his fault... not mine! And not only that, we've been trying to see a house for like 3 weeks at least now and he told me he cannot get a hold of the other realtor and he is leaving messages all the time.
Well I told him screw that... how about you go to the guys manager and maybe then, they can get us into the house to see it....

Well.. I dont think he did that and he doesnt tell me much anyway... So I called them up myself because my realtor asked me too, and asked for the other realtor. Well the lady at the front desk told me he was on vacation and gave me his back-ups phone number. Now how hard was that... I dont even think he has called the backup yet. (what does he think he's getting paid for)

He is REALLY starting to bother, and we hoped to move before the snow comes but it's doesnt look like that will happen anymore.

I want to drop him and do it ourselves but we don't really know what we are doing to tell you the truth. So I kinda wanna keep him at the same time.

Duplexs around here go like hot cakes. You see them one day and literally the next day they are gone. (depending on the quality of the house)
So he and us need to be on the ball...

What should I do... drop him, and do it ourselves, or drop him and get someone else who we don't even know? or keep him???

If we do it ourselves I can't see us finding a good home because I'd have to check the listing twice a day so we don't miss them, and people would find out before us by there own realtor's.

Ill totally angry, confused, and astonished.:mad: :confuzd: :(

A realtor has to be working hard for your best interest and to place you in the correct home and one you can afford. It helps that as a buyer you should have a good idea of the home you want (seems like you do) and it never hurts to do a daily look through the MLS listings on your computer. In the end though if you don't feel your agent is doing his best work...replace him....buying a house is the biggest financial decision you will ever make so make it with the help of someone you fully trust.

Make sure with the new agent you spell out exactly your priorities....make a list ahead of time...

- duplex
- moving prior to winter (totally doable if your financing is ready to go)
- whatever else is a priority for your family as far as location, number of bedrooms, etc.

A realtor can be a huge asset and if yours is not doing his job to your satisfaction, fully explain to him why your not happy, what you expect and give him a period of time to step it up or show him the door. If you've never bought a house before, I say go with a realtor, find a new if need be but use one. One with more experience will go a long in finding the perfect place you looking for as well as explain process along the way...

Also I would suggest you avoid realtors that are related to you or friends or whatever. It's best to keep that a purely business relationship and not muddied up with family and friendship ties.

Yeah good point about the friends and family thing "frankykeno". I understand what your saying...

Also my realtor knows exactly what we want. From how many rooms to what kind of heating.
We already looked at a few and talked for a few hours so he must have a good idea by now... but for some reason he still sends me listings for single family homes. I want a duplex... duh!
and we do have a pre-approved mortgage so there is not financial problems, and I have a few extra dollars to add to our offer, but we need a house before we can talk about offers...

ah well... I'll give him till next week and if I dont hear anything... out with the old and in the with the new I guess.

but his wife (my co-worker) might not think I'm very nice! but I have been VERY patient and nice I personally think.

I understand how frustrating realtors can be. (we move fairly often) I'd calmly explain that you feel you are missing out on some housing options and that you do NOT want to see anything but duplex's. If after that he fails to step up, then like the Jo and Neil said... move on.

Sometimes it isn't the realtor's fault. I know we had a few people make offers on our house before we even put it on the market, so it's completely possible the same is happening with the duplexes you are seeing sold so fast. You may want to scout the neighborhoods your interested in and look to see if there are any for sale by owner as well. (just make sure you have the house inspected by a highly recommended professional)