I recently came across this video and had a great chuckle.  Obviously, it’s out there in the web video world; so, why don’t we discuss its points.  You’re going to find it, watch it and take it as the truth anyway if I don’t talk about it! Let me make it expediently clear, there is a statement in this video that violates anti-trust/price-fixing.  This video is not my opinion nor does it belong to me; however, after you watch it, I’ll talk a little about what this “brilliant” video producer who lives in New York City has to say about the profession I love so much.

Step 1: Do your own research. Before you hire a broker, do your own research what comparable homes have sold for you in your area.

Absolutely. I couldn’t agree more. Be cautious, though, of sites that don’t have a direct IDX feed for closures through your local MLS. Often, data is incorrect or unreported. The bigger issue here is finding an agent who understands HOW to price.  The comparable approach is definitely NOT the way to truly price a home in today’s market. It’s a great broker’s job to be an economist, future-caster and market specialist. There’s more to pricing a home than looking around on the computer to see what the neighbors got.

Step 2: Don’t be pushed to accept a price lower than what you think it’s worth. The narrator says, “Brokers hold their own personal homes on the market longer yielding higher prices.” Let’s test that. According to the last 8,878 “owner agents who sold their personal homes” in the entire middle Tennessee MLS they received 98.26% of list price with an average days on market of 79. Of the homes owned and sold by non-agent owners (a sampling of tens of thousands) sellers received 97.69% of list price with an average days on market of 89. In Nashville proper, owner agents received 97.5% of list price at 62 days on market. Non-agent owners using agents received 97.9% of list price at 67 days on market. I obviously don’t have to explain this point!

I agree however with the phrase “don’t be pushed.” You’re smart enough to google and find this page, so you’re smart enough to know that the person you hired in the first place isn’t going to push you around anyway. If you’ve taken the time to ask the right questions and address the issues, you should feel confident in being advised and counseled, rather than pushed.

Step 3: Don’t be bullied into an open house. He says 2% of all homes are sold at an open house. Again, a wrong statistic. It’s actually less than 1%. I have to agree on the open house thing. Open houses accomplish these things:

1. Generates potential buyers for the agent holding the home.
2. Generates future listings for the agent, as most of the people who come through are neighbors the neighbors who may sell their home in the future and want to check out the competition.
3. Keeps the seller happy because they still continue to believe the myth that open houses sell homes.

Extra Tip in Step 3:  Negotiate a lower commission. There is NO standard commission rate…period. Just remember, you get what you pay for. Find that agent who you think is best for the job. Any agent who will negotiate with YOU on their commission will likely show the same negotiation skills when negotiating the price on your home with the buyer/buyer’s agent.

Step 4: Make them run all offers past you.  In the state of Tennessee, it is illegal for an agent to not present all offers, whether they be on a napkin or a formal contract. Unfortunately, there are agents who choose to break the law. I really can’t comment more on this because there’s few ways to find out if your agent is holding out an offer. I’m sure it happens. All I can say is, I show all offers. In fact, I got fired three years ago for taking a low offer to a seller brought to me by a buyer’s agent. When that same seller called me recently to list more property for the entity, I politely declined.

Step 5: Don’t use your broker’s inspector.  If you have an unethical real estate agent, you won’t know it unfortunately. A good agent should give you choices based off of other clients’ recommendations and experiences. I could care less what inspector someone uses. All inspectors in Tennessee are licensed. I’ve only seen one who didn’t know up from down, and I don’t think that inspector is in the business any more. Again, I’m sure “paying off an inspector” happens, but not in the circles I travel in.

Step 6: Be leery of their renovation suggestions.  I can’t even comment on this one, it’s SO out there. It might as well have said, “Watch for frozen potatoes in their freezer.” It makes no sense no matter how you measure it.  Obviously, someone told the writer he had to have seven points in his video and had to think of something.

Step 7: Consider selling your home yourself.   Absolutely, couldn’t agree more. Consider it. Then consider the fact that I’ve had over 300 credited hours of real estate education, over 900 hours of non-credit real estate education, written over 800 real estate contracts, spent over umpteen whatever hours networking with other agents, been through the doors of over 5000 homes in Middle Tennessee and spent tens of thousands of dollars on tools to connect homes with buyers. Now, consider doing yourself. Good idea?

In this point, the narrator says over 50% of house hunters look on the web for their home. Dude, it’s currently 89%. Yes, that IS over 50%, but come on! Get some updated facts, man!

Do you have  something you’ve read or seen on the internet or been told by someone that you want explained?  Send it on over, and I’ll happily address it!

Welcome to my city.  I love it here and love sharing it with visitors.  First, I’m not with ERA, but have several dear friends locally who are.  Looking over your agenda, HOLY MOLY!  It’s amazing.  Matthew Ferrara, Laurie Moore-Moore (my BFF), Pat Zaby and Rich Sands….wow!  You’re in for some special treats.  Also, having brilliant sponsors like Trulia with Rudy Bachraty in town is a special thing.

While you’re near Opryland, that’s not typically where the “locals” hang in these parts.  Here’s a list of things that aren’t too far away if you want to break away for a little while or grab a unique bite to eat.

1.  Ellendales:  Located near the airport, this bungalow turned restaurant is the best place to eat anywhere on that side of town.  They have an amazing lunch buffet and are group friendly.

2.  Two Rivers Mansion:  Located within a quick drive to the hotel, this gorgeous Antebellum mansion is a gorgeous stop.  It’s ground, gardens and interior reflect a tradition long passed.

3.  Chef’s Market:  You’ll have to jump on I-65 North for two exits but the cab ride or drive is so worth it.  Don’t miss their Strawberry Cake or Hummingbird Cake for dessert.  Best entrees include the Pot Roast and Jerusalem Chicken.  The mac and cheese rocks too!  Make sure you call!  They are NOT open on Sundays!

4.  Cock of the Walk:  A Nashville tradition for great beans, fried chicken and catfish. It’s just down the street on Music Valley Drive.  The waiters and waitresses flip your cornbread in the air for over 10 feet, too, which is pretty cool.

5.  The Greenway System:  (map at link) If you’re looking for a good stroll or bike ride, you’re virtually connected the the greenway.  You’ll want to join it at Two Rivers Park, take the bridge over the Cumberland into Shelby Bottoms.  The Shelby Bottoms area is a gorgeous nature trail.

6.  Opry Mills IMAX has Alice in Wonderland in 3-D while you are here.  It’s VERY good.  It plays daily at 11:10 a.m., 1:50 p.m. 4:25 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 9:40 p.m. and 12:10 a.m.

Overall, just have a great time.  We’re a great spot to visit.  If you have any questions, feel free to email me or tweet me @NashvilleBrian.  Or while you’re here on my site, you can see the chat panel in the top right corner, if I’m on, ask me!

I have a lovely couple from North Carolina (hat-tip Sarah), in their Nashville home search process right now.  It seems like every time they call or text, I am in class.  I was starting to feel a bit guilty, then changed my mindset quickly!

I’m on a three-prong model of business.  I spend part of my time actually selling and working with buyers.  I spend part of my time volunteering and networking.  The rest of the big bulk of the 40 hour week is spent in a classroom, either sharing or learning.

I have to ask the question, however, what do other agents do when they are not selling, representing buyers, networking and lead generating.  When I responded to North Carolina texting client, “LOL, I’m in class (again),” her response was “No wonder you are so smart.”

It’s an odd moment when it takes a text message to remind you, OH…there is a reason I can guide and protect my clients so well.  I invest in this brain constantly.  I’d encourage you to check your agent’s education history.  I know you see all those letters behind all of our names and think…geez…that really doesn’t matter to me.  Honestly, you don’t need to worry about the letters, but you do need be concerned about the classes the agent has taken the time to carve time out of their schedule to take.

Sure, I could spend my extra time playing around, going to the gym (yeah…I know…) or sitting on the couch watching soap operas and Divorce Court during the day.  I choose to be smarter, more efficient the the best mind I can be for my clients.  Check out my education history and your agent’s education history at the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.  Remember, that list only gives you the courses I received CREDIT for.  Some of it isn’t for credit, but worth the learning experience!

(Note:  Thanks to Rob “Peanut” Jansen for snapping the photo during a session we were in together in Scottsdale, AZ.)

While I’m not with RE/MAX in Nashville or Franklin, Tennessee, I have a ton of friends nationally who are.  I have a great respect for their systems, the way they serve their clients and the way they treat other agents in the marketplace.  I’m also part of a small referral group called CyberStars with several people on this list.  A special shout out to those in that referral group.

The Nellis Team #10 from Burke, Virginia.  Nate Martinez #12 from Glendale, AZ.  Tupper Briggs #36 from Evergreen, CO.  Leslie McDonnell #48 from Libertyville, IL. Brad Korb #61 from Burbank, CA.  Debbie Yost #88 from Casa Grande, AZ.  Marilyn Kohn #83 from Peoria, IL .  Zac Pasmanick #97 from Atlanta, GA.

Additionally, it’s always a pleasure doing business with the Terry DeSelms team of RE/MAX elite in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Tennessee.  Congrats on coming in on the Top 100 list at #26.

Top 100 RE/MAX Teams United States

Standings for January through November 2009, based on residential commissions paid. Rankings are compiled from figures submitted by regional offices.

1. John Ahlbrand, RE/MAX Central, Las Vegas, NV

2. Ryan R. O’Neill, RE/MAX Advantage Plus, Lakeville, MN

3. Ronnie Matthews, RE/MAX Legends, Spring, TX

4. Eric T. Pakulla, RE/MAX Advantage Realty, Columbia, MD

5. Bob J. Lucido, RE/MAX Advantage Realty, Fulton, MD

6. Marti A. Hampton, RE/MAX One Realty, Raleigh, NC

7. David O. Flory, RE/MAX Professional Group, Houston, TX

8. Pamela L. Marion, RE/MAX Professionals, Lawton, OK

9. Joseph B. Rothchild Sr., RE/MAX Fry Road, Katy, TX

10. Vicki Nellis, RE/MAX Allegiance, Burke, VA

11. Nathan C. Martinez, RE/MAX Professionals, Glendale, AZ

12. Scott E. Gibson, RE/MAX Renaissance Realty, Phoenix, AZ

13. Gary Kent, RE/MAX Associates, La Jolla, CA

14. James D. Franklin, RE/MAX Grand, Katy, TX

15. Casey Margenau, RE/MAX Distinctive, McLean, VA

16. Don McDonald, RE/MAX Gold, Fairfield, CA

17. Don Matheson, RE/MAX Fine Properties, Scottsdale, AZ

18. Jane Lee, RE/MAX Top Performers, Lake Bluff, IL

19. Kent R. Miller, RE/MAX Advantage, Jonesboro, GA

20. Michael R. Hulsey, RE/MAX Gold, Vacaville, CA

21. Neal Weichel, RE/MAX Valencia, Santa Clarita, CA

22. Joe A. Martin Sr., RE/MAX Diamond, Mesa, AZ

23. Kyle White, RE/MAX Advantage Plus, Savage, MN

24. Josephine M. Pierce, RE/MAX Realty Team, Cape Coral, FL

25. Lee Ann Canaday, RE/MAX Fine Homes, Laguna Beach, CA

26. Terry E. DeSelms, RE/MAX Elite, Franklin, TN

27. Bruce Tyburski, RE/MAX Choice, Fairfax, VA

28. Ronald Golansky, RE/MAX Pros, Germantown, MD

29. Elvira Ashmun, RE/MAX Gold, Vallejo, CA

30. Jane M. Kelly, RE/MAX Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach, MO

31. Carol S. Anderson, RE/MAX of Valencia, Valencia, CA

32. Andrew R. Bloom, RE/MAX Excalibur Realty, Scottsdale, AZ

33. Mark T. Parris, RE/MAX Renaissance Realty, Peoria, AZ

34. Ron Murray, RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty, Palos Verdes Estates, CA

35. Lonnie S. Bush, RE/MAX First, Virginia Beach, VA

36. Tupper Briggs, RE/MAX Alliance Evergreen, Evergreen, CO

37. Marshall Mandell, RE/MAX Classic, Farmington, MI

38. Marsee L. Wilhems, RE/MAX Majestic, Tucson, AZ

39. Judy Markowitz, RE/MAX Millennium, Flushing, NY

40. Wade A. Klick, RE/MAX Results, Plymouth, MN

41. Karen D. Karapasha, RE/MAX Fry Road, Katy, TX

42. Cindy Hanson Welu, RE/MAX Action West, Chanhassen, MN

43. Brian D. Flynn, RE/MAX Results, Medford, MA

44. Sherry S. Wilson, RE/MAX Leaders, Purcellville, VA

45. Lee Wilbanks, RE/MAX Alliance, Livonia, MI

46. Delbert M. Rounds, RE/MAX Fine Properties, Scottsdale, AZ

47. Corey C. Geib, RE/MAX Benchmark Realty, Las Vegas, NV

48. Leslie B. McDonnell, RE/MAX Suburban, Libertyville, IL

49. Blake Mayes, RE/MAX Capital City, Boise, ID

50. Dennis X. DeSouza, RE/MAX Associates, La Jolla, CA

51. Sharon L. Evans, RE/MAX One Realty, Raleigh, NC

52. Steve Cross, RE/MAX Preferred, Las Vegas, NV

53. Tom Faison, RE/MAX Allegiance, Washington, DC

54. David M. Banks, RE/MAX By The Bay, Portland, ME

55. Patrick Stracuzzi, RE/MAX of Stuart, Stuart, FL

56. Frank L. Prindle, RE/MAX Allegiance, Alexandria, VA

57. Anthony R. Raffin, RE/MAX Associates, St Clair Shores, MI

58. Kyle D. MacDonnell, RE/MAX Cinco Ranch, Katy, TX

59. Frank Russo, RE/MAX Professionals, Glendale, AZ

60. Marge B. Pawlak, RE/MAX Enterprises, Downers Grove, IL

61. Bradley Korb, RE/MAX In Action, Burbank, CA

62. Logan L. Waller, RE/MAX About Dallas, Dallas, TX

63. Gordon R. Crawford, RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, Morristown, NJ

64. Mark Spain, RE/MAX Greater Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

65. Richard W. Taylor, RE/MAX Realty Associates, Mahomet, IL

66. Ronald N. Lee, RE/MAX Gold, Vallejo, CA

67. Chad Costa, RE/MAX Executive, Modesto, CA

68. Thomas W. Beauchemin, RE/MAX Synergy, Goffstown, NH

69. James Gilliland, RE/MAX Southern Realty, Fort Walton Beach, FL

70. Philip L. Herman, RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists, Dayton, OH

71. Matthew P. Ridgeway, RE/MAX Real Estate Group, Charles Town, WV

72. Jim Kennedy, RE/MAX Team 2000, Orland Park, IL

73. Aidan Surlis, RE/MAX Leading Edge, Gambrills, MD

74. Steven M. Lavoie, RE/MAX Realty Unlimited, Brandon, FL

75. Kevin E. Hildebrand, RE/MAX Unlimited, Cincinnati, OH

76. Rick Robey, RE/MAX Associates, Louisville, KY

77. Gil Campos, RE/MAX Real Estate Center, Foxboro, MA

78. Juan Martinez, RE/MAX Executives, Las Vegas, NV

79. Anthony G. Askowitz, RE/MAX Advance Realty II, Miami, FL

80. Fred Evans, RE/MAX Gold Coast, Ventura, CA

81. Louie Guerrero, RE/MAX Valencia, Santa Clarita, CA

82. Millie S. Green, RE/MAX Commonwealth, Richmond, VA

83. Marilyn R. Kohn, RE/MAX Unlimited, Peoria, IL

84. David W. Worrie, RE/MAX Commonwealth, Midlothian, VA

85. Thomas E. Skiffington, RE/MAX 440, Perkasie, PA

86. Martha M. Gentry, RE/MAX Prime Properties, Pinehurst, NC

87. Doug C. Perry, RE/MAX Excellence Realty, Silver Spring, MD

88. Debbie Yost, RE/MAX Casa Grande, Casa Grande, AZ

89. Sandy O. Ogburn-Sandlin, RE/MAX Excellent Properties, Prairieville, LA

90. Linda O’Donnell, RE/MAX Signature, Chicago, IL

91. Bill Gassett, RE/MAX Executive Realty, Hopkinton, MA

92. Paul S. Raymond, RE/MAX Select, Flint, MI

93. Neil J. Timmins, RE/MAX Select, West Des Moines, IA

94. Laurie Erb, RE/MAX Cherry Creek Inc, Denver, CO

95. Don Bowen, RE/MAX Real Estate Group, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

96. A.Z. Araujo, RE/MAX Preferred Choice, Glendale, AZ

97. Zac Pasmanick, RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Intown, Atlanta, GA

98. Tom McKinnon, RE/MAX Realty 2000, Fargo, ND

99. David H. Messner, RE/MAX Fine Properties, Scottsdale, AZ

100. John Meyer, RE/MAX Allegiance, Alexandria, VA

Copyright © 2010 RE/MAX International Inc.

Frustration is the word of the day for the buyers, the sellers and the agents when it comes to Craigslist rental scams. The scam is quite simple and relatively believable.

A Craigslist scammer searches for listings in active, popular areas with good marketing on MLS sites like Trulia, RealTracs, Zillow or REALTOR.com. They snag the photos and write an ad something like this, “4 BR/2 BA home for rent for $800/month. Nice home in quiet area. I am a missionary with my family in Africa and we need someone who will take good care of our home and rent it. Since are out of the country, we will need to work with you via email….” you get the picture.

The price is just below rental market value and almost believable. The renters do the natural thing and email the scammer thinking, “hey you never know.” The scammer knows that most people are in the rental market for a short time and not often; so, it’s easy to hit a new crew of innocent, open-minded renters.

The renter drives by the home and sees a real estate sign in the yard and thinks the home is actually available and everything makes sense. Many renters call the agent to get inside, and the scam ends here when the agent tells them that it is actually not for rent. However, some renters go through the steps and potentially compromise their privacy.

Here’s a video from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that explains how to report this scams, whether you’ve been taken or not.

The FTC has more information on their website, additionally.

The renter loses because many compromise their privacy and some turn over money. One father reported to me that his daughter went through a long credit check process that made the entire “scam” believable. He said the site generated the reports, asked all the legit questions and appeared on the up-and-up. When I kept explaining to him that it wasn’t for rent, even he had a hard time understand that. Remember, creating fake websites that capture information is super easy.

The home seller loses because many get knocks on their doors at all hours of the day and night asking to see the home. Some times, no one has been tipped off that there is a scam running, so the seller thinks they’re doing the agent a favor by showing the home, only to find out that the visitor thinks it’s for rent. It’s a great disappointment and inconvenience.

The real estate agent loses with time lost. One or two of my listings get scraped, at least, once every month. I will log well over 100 calls for one scam, completely killing my productivity for a few hours. If you’re an agent reading this, remember, it’s not the callers fault! Be kind. Since very few buyers actually call agents any more, opting for internet contact and email, sign calls are rare. When I get the call or message that says, “I’m interesting in your house on Elm Street,” my first question is “Are you looking to buy or rent?” The vast majority of the time they will say “rent.” My next question is, “Did you see it on Craigslist?” I then smile and explain that it is a Craigslist scam that has nothing to do with my seller or me, thank them for reporting it and apologize for the jerk who pulls this crap.

3/1/2010 Note: Special thanks to @WSMV and @WSMVCaraKumari for reading my blog and picking up this story within one day.  We need to get the word out more, and you certainly help that big-time tonight.  Here’s a link to Cara’s story on the Nashville NBC news affiliate.

Based on the 2009 RealTracs MLS data for Nashville Areas 1-8, the following is a list of the top one percent (1%) REALTORS (real estate agents) in the Nashville market.  The (*) denotes an agent who appears on both unit and dollar volume lists.2009 Top One Percent (1%) Nashville REALTORS Dollar & Unit Volume (Total Number of Homes Sold)

Note:  Agents NOT Representing Distressed Properties or New Construction Sales As Business Base

Carolyn Adcock (Re/Max Elite)

Andy Allen (Village Real Estate Services)

Aaron Armstrong (Keller Williams)

Brian Copeland (Village Real Estate Services)

Terry DeSelms (Re/Max Elite)

Mark Deutschmann (Village Real Estate)

Cindy Evans (Re/Max)

Mike Gallagher (Fridrich & Clark)

Jenkins Hardin (Harpeth Co. REALTORS)

Karen Hoff (Historic & Distinctive Homes)

Allen Perry (Keller Williams Realty)

2009 Top One Percent (1%) Nashville REALTORS Dollar & Unit Volume (Total Number of Homes Sold)

Distressed Properties, Foreclosures, REO and Bank-Owned Real Estate Agents

Moren Adenubi (Crown Realty)

Angela Bavetta (Coldwell Banker Barnes)

Sharon Bennett (Progressive Realty)

Cindy Fey (Crye Leike REALTORS, Inc.)

Nell Jones (Re/Max Elite)

Jim Owens (Prudential Woodmont Realty)

Barry Vincent (Re/Max Elite)

2009 Top One Percent (1%) Nashville REALTORS Dollar & Unit Volume (Total Number of Homes Sold)

New Construction Agents

Tina Andolina (Fox Ridge Homes)

Wanda Comer (Ole South)

Trey Lewis (Ole South)

Whitney Massingale (Centex Homes)

Derenda Sircy (Regent Homes)

2009 Top One Percent (1%) Nashville REALTORS Dollar Volume (Dollar Amount Sold)

Adcock, Carolyn (Re/Max)*

Adenubi, Moren (Crown Realty-foreclosures)*

Allen, Andy (Village)*

Anderson, Newell (Village)*

Andolina, Tina (Fox Ridge Homes-new construction)*

Armstrong, Aaron (Keller Williams)*

Bavetta, Angela (Coldwell Banker Barnes-foreclosures)*

Bennett, Sharon (Progressive, HUD foreclosures)*

Brittle, Jr., John (Village)

Bryan, Richard (Fridrich & Clark)

Comer, Wanda (Ole South-new construction)*

Brian Copeland (Village Real Estate Services)*

Degerberg, Virginia (Village)

Deselms, Terry  (Re/Max Elite)*

Deutschmann, Mark (Village)*

Edmondson, Molly (Fridrich & Clark)

Evans, Cindy (Re/Max)*

Fey, Cindy (Crye Leike-foreclosures)*

Finucane, Betty (Fridrich & Clark)

Fridrich, Steve (Fridrich & Clark)

Gallagher, Mike (Fridrich & Clark)*

Granbery, Jamie (Pilkerton)

Hardin, Jenkins (Harpeth)*

Hoff, Karen (Historic and Distinctive)*

Huggins, Allen (BrokerSouth)

Jones, Nell (Re/Max-foreclosures)*

Lewis, Trey (Ole South-new construction)*

Massingale, Whitney (Centex Homes-new construction)*

Mcmillin, Kent (Fridrich & Clark)

Merrill, Keith (Worth)

Molteni, Beth (Worth)

Moutenot, Barbara (Village)

Noonan, Susan (Drees Homes-new construction)

Oneal, Dwight (Realty Trust Auctioneers)

Owens, Jim (Prudential-foreclosures)*

Perry, Allen (Keller Williams)*

Sircy, Derenda (Regent-new construction)*

Vincent, Barry (Re/Max-foreclosures)*

Wilson, Beverly (Village)

Wilson, Christie (The Wilson Group)

Wood, Carolyn (Realty Executives)

Woods, Joe (Village)

2009 Top One Percent (1%) Nashville REALTORS Unit Volume (Total Number of Homes Sold)

Adcock, Carolyn (Re/Max)*

Adcock, Ii, David (Re/Max)

Adenubi, Moren (Crown Realty-foreclosures)*

Allen, Andy (Village)*

Anderson, Newell (Village)*

Andolina, Tina (Fox Ridge Homes-new construction)*

Armstrong, Aaron (Keller Williams)*

Bavetta, Angela (Coldwell Banker Barnes-foreclosures)

Bennett, Sharon (Progressive, HUD foreclosures)*

Comer, Wanda (Ole South-new construction)

Brian Copeland (Village Real Estate Services)*

Corradetti, Mark (A&E Real Estate-foreclosures)

Davis, Phyllis (Kingdom Realty-foreclosures)

Deselms, Terry (Re/Max Elite)*

Deutschmann, Mark (Village)*

Evans, Cindy (Re/Max)*

Fey, Cindy (Crye Leike-foreclosures)*

Gallagher, Mike (Fridrich & Clark)*

Gatlin, Julie (Gatlin Group-foreclosures)

Hardin, Jenkins (Harpeth)*

Hoff, Karen (Historic and Distinctive)*

Huffaker, David (Beazer Homes-new construction)

Jones, Nell (Re/Max-foreclosures)*

Lampley, Nina (Benchmark-new construction)

Lewis, Trey (Ole South-new construction)*

Massingale, Whitney (Centex Homes-new construction)*

Mongeon, Emil (Legacy-foreclosures)

Morgan, Tammy (Greenvale-new construction)

Owens, Jim (Prudential-foreclosures)*

Perry, Allen (Keller Williams)*

Powers, Sher (Village)

Sircy, Derenda (Regent-new construction)*

Sisco, Charles (Coldwell Banker Lakeside)

Smith, Michael (Agee & Johnson-foreclosures)

Sullivan, Jerry (Re/Max-foreclosures)

Thomas, John (Coldwell Banker-foreclosures)

Tinsley, Linda (Coldwell Banker-foreclosures)

Vincent, Barry (Re/Max-foreclosures)*

Watts, Ashley (First Nashville Realty)

Wilson-Lowery, Brenda (Re/Max Elite)

Young, Blayne (Centex Homes-new construction)

The area includes Green Hills, Belle Meade, Forest Hills, Oak Hill, Crieve Hall, Murray Hills, Antioch, East Nashville, Madison, Lockeland Springs, Eastwood Neighbors, Greenwood Neighbors, Maxwell Neighbors, Maxwell Heights, Neil S. Brown, East End, Historic Edgefield, Shelby Village, Boscobel Heights, Little Hollywood, Historic Chestnut Hill, Belmont, Caldwell Abbay Hall, Berry Hill, Melrose, West End Park, Montague, Rivergate, Inglewood, Rosebank, Iverson, Maplewood, Moss Rose, Opryland Area, Neelys Bend, Fortland Park, Cleveland Park, McFerrin Park, Trinity Heights, 12South, Hillsboro Village, West End, Cherokee Park, Historic Richland Park, Whitland Park, Sylvan Park, Historic West Town, Sylvan Heights, Brookside, Brooke Meade, West Meade, Charlotte Park, Bordeaux, Goodlettsville, Eatons Creek, Germantown, Hope Gardens, Salemtown, Buena Vista, Buena Vista Heights, Metro Center, Woodbine, Glenrose, Woodmont In Waverly, Waverly Place, Cane Ridge, Donelson, Hermitage, Old Hickory, Katie Hill, Priest Lake, Downtown, The Gulch, SoBro, The Market District, Music Row, Villa Place, Fairgrounds, Fisk/Meharry/TSU, Belle Meade Highlands, Bellevue, Brentwood, Nippers Corner, Holt Hills, Grassmere and all areas inside Davidson County Metropolitan. MLS data based on reports run for January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009.

The joy as a consumer is there is no set commission rate anywhere in America. It’s a private negotiation between the seller and the agent. Your best bet is going to be to interview as many REALTORS as you’d like, then see whose service and price meet your expectations and budget.

If you’re looking in Hendersonville, I’d suggest Kathy Hannah (Century 21), Cheryl Bretz (Keller Williams) and Cindy Sample (Coldwell Banker Lakeside). They are all amazing agents who will be honest and knowledgeable. Let me know if you need me to connect you with them.

Absolutely. As a buyer’s agent, I encourage the seller’s agent to check the basics out with my lender, and I have spoken with my lender(s) about the importance of this strong working relationship. As a seller’s agent, it’s a courtesy that I take seriously. I’ll call at the beginning of the process to introduce myself and let them know that we are working toward a win-win, stress-free closing for all the parties involved, and I’m there to help not hinder. I’ll also touch bases at the three week mark to make sure everything is smooth. I always see myself, the buyer, the seller, the cooperating agent, the lender and the miscellaneous service providers as one big team in place to serve the common good of the clients involved

Sue, I’m so sorry to hear this. It breaks my heart and makes my blood boil at the same time. Assuming your buyer’s agent has done everything they can to keep “the calm” and both agents have a managing broker, this is the action I would take to resolve the conflict.

1. Have you buyer’s agent broker meet with his/her managing broker, go over the situation clearly.
2. The buyer’s agent broker should then call the seller’s agent broker calmly and professionally to discuss.
3. Both will obviously and absolutely agree that the unwritten agreement to pay doesn’t exist.
4. The brokers should stop this madness.

Now, if it is deemed that the agent’s actions are questionable, your buyer’s agent can take the concern through the grievance process at the Greater Nashville Associations of REALTORS, given that all parties are indeed REALTORS (as opposed to real estate agents.)

By BIGGEST and CLEAREST advice for you is to let the professionals handle this. It seems you’ve done nothing wrong. Encourage your representative to only discuss the thing that require your signature, financing and the joys of closing. Encourage your rep to handle the “uglies.” And finally, look forward ONLY. Forget the past and enjoy your home. Egos are ugly things, but this short term relationship with the agent will be well forgotten as you enjoy the long term joys of your new home!

Q:  We put in a offer for a forclosed fannie mae propoerty. Fannie Mae came back and countered our offer we accepted. We put up ernest money and already had been preapproved by our bank. we paid for the inspection as well. We heard back this Monday that the property hasnt been foreclosed on proporally and so the closing date would be another 3 weeks away instead of the this week (yes we were suppose to close this week). Then today we heard that the property would be put back on the market after they get the forclosure done right. Then we would have to put in another offer. Plus we would have to wait 2 days after it gets on the market before we could put in our bid again! We had this home already under contract and was about to close. ALL this information is coming from the listing agent. ANyway we have contacted fannie mae and are waiting a response.
I would also like to add we put in the offer only 7 days of i listed. Then it was listed pending with backups accepted.

A:  Wow, Angie. I certainly can understand why you’ve been in tears. What a horrible experience! While there’s no joy in this situation, the one thing you need to hear is you’re not alone in this type of frustration. I’m finding myself more and more in a counseling role with my buyers when they choose to go the bank-owned foreclosure route to purchase a home. I’ve only entered that mindset once I saw the devastation it caused some of my clients in the process and I wanted to do everything I could to prevent it in the future.

Unfortunately, banks are currently abiding by the “Golden Rule” but not the one we learned in Sunday School. Their Golden Rule is “We have the ‘Gold,’ and WE rule.” You’ll find little consumer action at this point available due to the nature of what’s going on nationally. I simply STINKS!

The best thing for you to do is cling to your agent and go through the steps others have noted here. If you want to buy a bank-owned home, you have to play by their rules, as unfair as they can be. If this is INDEED your home in your heart, ask yourself this question: Is this an emergency or an inconvenience? While it may feel like an emergency, it truly is a bump in the road, and with another submitted offer, chances are the home could be yours, just not right now. Given that you’ve done your inspections and appraisals, the cost to close the home shouldn’t be anymore, since you report you are out of money.

Hang in there, my friend. I’ll be thinking about you and your family!!