Using The Same Realtor For Buying And Selling

Dear Phyllis,
I listed my Glendale home with the Realtor who sold it to me 20 years ago. As I plan to move to La Crescenta to be closer to my children, I planned on using a La Crescenta Realtor. I contacted a real estate agent that a woman I volunteer with
recommended. The agent and I met for coffee, and I really liked her. She
lives in La Crescenta and knows the community. I felt extremely
comfortable with her. She has already given me information about
Proposition 19 and transferring my tax base. She even told me about several available homes, but we haven’t looked at them yet.

When I told my Glendale agent that I wouldn’t be using her, she got upset, basically accusing me of not being loyal. I was not trying to be disrespectful; I just thought using an agent whose primary focus is La Crescenta would be the most
beneficial.

What is the protocol for using the same Realtor for buying and selling? SG

Dear SG,
Unless you have signed a Buyer’s Representation and Broker Compensation Agreement, you can use any Realtor you wish. You are not obligated to use the same Realtor for buying and selling. It’s about you, your needs, and who makes you feel the most comfortable. This is your decision. Your confidence in their
ability should be the top priority.

However, using the same Realtor has advantages. Having one agent handle both transactions means you only need to communicate with a single point of contact. This simplifies the process and reduces the chances of miscommunication, and ensures that your needs and preferences are consistently understood and prioritized.

On the other hand, the La Crescenta market heavily favors home sellers. Few homes are on the market, and competition is fierce. This is where a local Realtor can truly shine. They have established relationships with other Realtors, home inspectors and lenders, giving them a potential edge in finding upcoming listings. A local Realtor may have access to off-market listings and be aware of properties that haven’t yet hit the market, opening a world of possibilities for
you.

Best of luck to you on your purchase,

Phyllis