A few days ago, I found a house that matched nearly everything I wanted. Wooden/log cabin style, on a river, beautiful deck looking over this river, in the woods, I could go on and on.
I took time off work and drove 3 hours round trip to tour it with the listing agent and it looks just how I expected. There were a few projects that needed to be done which brought the cost down to something more affordable for me. I scanned over the listing many times and sent it to several friends and family members because I was excited.
As I was about to put an offer in, I get a call from the listing agent: “hey just so you know this is only a seasonal home and you can’t live here in the winter”. Ummmm okay, why was this never mentioned once in the listing or during the tour? I wouldn’t have known because the rule is set by the association, the house itself is perfectly livable in the winter but the association locks up the gate to the property.
I just needed to rant about how shitty this listing agent experience was.
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Am sorry this happened to you bro. The listing agent should have included pertinent information in the listing. Or at least mentioned it during the tour. There’s a promotional way of saying things so that buyers are aware, but not turned off. In the end, I’m glad you found out sooner, rather than later.
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The listing agent actually did their job. They got an interested buyer to come out and investigate the property and consider an offer. They don’t work for you, they don’t care about your time. Why should they? You are not their client.
It sounds like you need to be angry at your buyer agent for not getting that information for you before you wasted your time.
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I bought a house like that and they waited until around closing to tell us it was in a national scenic area and has a lot of rules you have to follow. We still bought it but were annoyed by the surprise.
The rules dictate what type and color roof/siding/paint etc. and you have to plant/maintain bushes/trees/hedges between windows and the road to obscure them from view. The house has to blend in with the environment. They also limit the square footage of windows you can have. And if you want to build a garden shed or outbuilding you have to go through a committee.
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A prime example of the value of having your own representation when making such a large purchase. If you had hired a local agent, even for JUST that showing, they might have already KNOWN the neighborhood was seasonal and saved you the trip. Or, they probably know there are seasonal communities in that area and know to ask if it’s not disclosed. You are not the first buyer, nor will you be the last to waste time and money by not using your own representation. Kinda like trying to defend yourself in court because you want to save the money you’d spend hiring your own lawyer. J/S.
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Don’t blame the listing agent
You always request & read the CCRs for a client.
Mine are all posted for buyers on MLS, disclosure is done. If the buyers agent requests them I will send them every time and specify the abnormal clauses and fees
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Because this is all a new process still being worked through, there may not be a definitive or one fits all answer yet but if I see a house advertised for sale whether thru Zillow or any other site and I want to see it, it appears it is in my best interest to hire a broker who will take me there as my rep. What are the terms of these new buyer agreements? Only pay if I close a transaction with them? Pay every time they show me a house? Curious how these agreements are going to work. I can see a million different comp options?
A majority of agents suck at their jobs. Because it’s not their job, it’s more of a side hustle. It’s not just you. You’ll come across a good one here and there, but they’re rare.
Honestly, this is bullshit. Fair enough not to point out every defect in the listing. Roof needs replacement? Okay, don’t point it out. HVAC is old? Okay, don’t point it out. Neighbors suck? Definitely don’t point it out. You literally can’t use it for a good portion of the year? Jesus Christ, save everyone some time including yourself.
“Thanks for test driving that new Ford F150 and coming all this way. Glad you like it. I know you called and inquired on the phone and asked some questions, but I probably should mention before we get moving on the paperwork that the manufacturer disables the car from 7AM-11AM and you won’t be able to drive it during those hours”
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