After recently reading a blog post, I was compelled to clear up a few things and enlighten the public about their sometimes misleading misconception some may have about Realtors®. I hope that this gives you more insight on a Realtors® responsibility to their client. I seek to enlighten the reader about some misunderstandings as to the way the system actually works.

Misconception #1: "one thing I think my agent didn't really do totally correct so far was point out bad things in a house."...A home inspection would find that out but by then you've made an offer and now you're just backing out of it, so you're in pretty deep at that point."

Fact - Realtors® are not inspectors. While some have some insight on building codes and may have a good eye for what is good or bad; this is not their job. What Realtors® do or do not say concerning a homes structure should be verified by a qualified professional; a home inspector. The major reason for the 'option period' is to buy you time, usually 10 days from the time both parties have signed the contract, to get an inspection. The option period also takes the home off the market until the perspective buyer makes a final decision usually based on the inspection results. If there are any problems that cannot be resolved through negotiations, then the buyer can back out and all that is lost is the 100 option fee and cost for the inspection. That beats being locked into a bad contract any day.

Misconception #2: "Yes, the data is stale. My guess is that the agencies WANT the data to be stale. If you want fresh data, you need to be signed up with a Realtor. The agencies hold the data for a certain period before realeasing it to MLS. If the data was fresh, why would you need a Realtor? The Realtors want you locked in with them."

Fact: This is completely ridiculous. There is no conspiracy theory in play here. The data that you find on many real estate websites come directly from the Multiple Listing Service, aka the MLS. So to say the data is stale is inconsistent. Data posted to the MLS is fresh because it was just posted to the MLS. It leaves the MLS once a buyers agent finds a qualified buyer and the seller and buyer agree on the terms. Realtors® want to put listings up as soon as possible. Sometimes this can be contingent upon lining things up with the seller. The listing agent, also known as the seller's agent, has a fiduciary duty to do what the seller request; even if it is not in the seller's best interest. The agent can only suggest optimal circumstances and practices but it ends there. The seller has the final word. Once a listing goes on the MLS the agent has 3 days to post pictures. Otherwise the agency can be fined.

Misconception #3: Real estate agents pull a "bait and switch" technique in order to show a potential buyer a home by adding or embellishing a listing.

Fact: MLS information comes from the appraisal district, the builder or the seller. Sometimes the seller may override information from the appraisal district, but then this would be listed next to the information. The agent does not and should not put arbitrary numbers and measurements on the MLS. There is a hefty price tag for misinformation placed in the MLS. If your real estate agent is consistently misleading you, ask them if they were aware of this before showing you the property. Busy Realtors® don't always have a chance to preview every property before showing it to you. There just isn't enough time in a day, and there are thousands upon thousands of homes especially in large cities. So it would be literally impossible. The MLS requires strict guidelines that are to be followed else the Realtor® can be in serious trouble. This helps protect the public from being mislead. If you feel your Realtor® is intentionally doing this to you, then confront him. If it continues this may be grounds for extinguishing you contract with your Realtor and acquiring a new Realtor®.

Terry Kraemer
Prudential Gary Greene Realtors®
1969 W. Gray St Ste 100, Houston, TX. 77018
713-834-4649Terry Kraemer is a Houston Realtor® with Prudential Gary Greene Realtors®. Terry is dedicated to helping people through the experience of buying or selling their home. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA., and holds a master in educational counseling from Texas Southern University. He has over13 year of experience as a educator in the Houston public school system and his goal is to serve his real estate clients with the same professionalism, integrity and work ethic that he has used throughout his professional life. Terry has lived in Houston inner loop and worked in Cy-Fair, Galena Park, Crosby and Spring; so his knowledge of the Houston territories is vast. "Finding a home can be exciting but it shouldn't be stressful," says Terry. Terry is dedicated to each and every client he works with. He prides himself in having direct contact with each of his clients and maintaining open lines of communication. Terry Specializes in the Houston neighborhoods of West University, Montrose, River Oaks, Garden Oaks, Midtown, Oak Forest, Upper Kirby, Spring Branch, and the Houston inner loop.

Terry Kraemer
Prudential Gary Greene Realtors®
1939 W Gray St. Ste. 100
Houston, TX. 77098
713-834-4649
http://www.houstoninnerloophomefinder.com <[http://www.houstoninnerloophomefinder.com/>]
Terry.Kraemer@GaryGreene.Com <mailto:Terry.Kraemer@GaryGreene.Com>