[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by DAVES

Original question-no a tip is not necessary. However that 6%, if that is what you agreed to pay, is split several ways.

The OP is the buyer. The buyer did not agree to pay any commission. It was all paid by the seller.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

Of course it is more than enough, but I also think (socially), if you found the person likable, not abrasive or offensive, a nice "thank you, we are enjoying our new home" is a nice (no, it's NOT necessary I agree) touch in a "civilized" society ! A person who does not agree, simple, should not write a "thank you" note !

Beware of the salesperson. They do not work for you, if you are the buyer, they work for the seller. If, you are driving around in their car. Someone says, I really want that house and it seems a good value compared to the others. You then make AN OFFER on the property. The seller asks THE SALES PERSON if they should accept the offer. The SALES PERSON can say I THINK THEY WILL PAY MORE. Heck they heard you say so in their car.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The OP is the buyer. The buyer did not agree to pay any commission. It was all paid by the seller.

It is all a mater of semantics. It is like you buy a paint brush at a hardware store and saying you do not pay the store rent the store owner does. It is in the price you pay.

For sale by owner? Based on my experience, I'm sure not all. Both the buyer and the seller plan on saving the same commission.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by DAVES

Beware of the salesperson. They do not work for you, if you are the buyer, they work for the seller. If, you are driving around in their car. Someone says, I really want that house and it seems a good value compared to the others. You then make AN OFFER on the property. The seller asks THE SALES PERSON if they should accept the offer. The SALES PERSON can say I THINK THEY WILL PAY MORE. Heck they heard you say so in their car.

Yes, the agent works for the seller. I am amazed at how many buyers will refer to the agent who drives them around and shows them houses as "their agent". They are NOT your agent. They work for the seller who pays the commission.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by DAVES

It is all a mater of semantics. It is like you buy a paint brush at a hardware store and saying you do not pay the store rent the store owner does. It is in the price you pay.

For sale by owner? Based on my experience, I'm sure not all. Both the buyer and the seller plan on saving the same commission.

I disagree. It is not semantics. The listing contract is a legal document between the agent and the seller. Plain and simple. The buyer has no contractual relationship with the agent. And, I don't agree that the buyer saves anything by buying a FSBO. The seller "may" save the commission by doing the marketing and selling themselves.

[phassett]

Originally Posted by bopat

It's our first home purchase in a while, and the first in The Villages. Our agent has been wonderful, do we get them a gift for all their work?

We had the same agent helping us for 2 years. Many trips to show us the general area and different models of homes knowing that we only wanted to buy in Richmond. As it turns out, we bought first in DeLuna because our plans got moved up. He also ran several open houses when we sold that house when our Richmond lot became available. For the above and beyond, we got him a gift card to ABC.

That said, your experiences surely differ. If you feel that the realtor (yes, they are realtors - The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community) did more than expected, a small gift is most likely appreciated. The average realtor in this area makes about $90k a year or about $35 bucks an hour (google it for those non-believers) so if you spend hours with them touring houses that you didn't buy, that's something to take into consideration.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by phassett

We had the same agent helping us for 2 years. Many trips to show us the general area and different models of homes knowing that we only wanted to buy in Richmond. As it turns out, we bought first in DeLuna because our plans got moved up. He also ran several open houses when we sold that house when our Richmond lot became available. For the above and beyond, we got him a gift card to ABC.

That said, your experiences surely differ. If you feel that the realtor (yes, they are realtors - The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community) did more than expected, a small gift is most likely appreciated. The average realtor in this area makes about $90k a year or about $35 bucks an hour (google it for those non-believers) so if you spend hours with them touring houses that you didn't buy, that's something to take into consideration.

One sure fire way to determine if your Villages Sales Agent is a "Realtor®", is to check the NAR website and do a search by their name. Unless they are listed as a member, they are not a "Realtor®".

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by photo1902

One sure fire way to determine if your Villages Sales Agent is a "Realtor®", is to check the NAR website and do a search by their name. Unless they are listed as a member, they are not a "Realtor®".

Correct, but an experienced Villages agent told me that, in order to be a Realtor, the broker must be a member of the NAR. The Villages is not a member, so none of the Villages agents can become a Realtor.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Correct, but an experienced Villages agent told me that, in order to be a Realtor, the broker must be a member of the NAR. The Villages is not a member, so none of the Villages agents can become a Realtor.

How many times must this dead horse be beaten?

TV sales agents ARE LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENTS...

Being a REALTOR only means you've joined a professional association... Nothing more, nothing less...

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by phassett

We had the same agent helping us for 2 years. Many trips to show us the general area and different models of homes knowing that we only wanted to buy in Richmond. As it turns out, we bought first in DeLuna because our plans got moved up. He also ran several open houses when we sold that house when our Richmond lot became available. For the above and beyond, we got him a gift card to ABC.

That said, your experiences surely differ. If you feel that the realtor (yes, they are realtors - The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community) did more than expected, a small gift is most likely appreciated. The average realtor in this area makes about $90k a year or about $35 bucks an hour (google it for those non-believers) so if you spend hours with them touring houses that you didn't buy, that's something to take into consideration.

Originally Posted by JMintzer

How many times must this dead horse be beaten?

TV sales agents ARE LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENTS...

Being a REALTOR only means you've joined a professional association... Nothing more, nothing less...

They're newbies, give them a break. It's always the MLS vultures on here doing the beefing.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by bopat

It's our first home purchase in a while, and the first in The Villages. Our agent has been wonderful, do we get them a gift for all their work?

My last realtor(not here) thanked us and gave us a $500 gift card.

[Bay Kid]

Haven't heard from my agent, Miss Kennedy, since the week before closing last year.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

My last realtor(not here) thanked us and gave us a $500 gift card.

Our Villages realtor gave us a canvas carry bag.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by VApeople

No!

They should give you a nice gift to express their appreciation for making a lot of money off your house purchase.

Agree ! Ours DID give us a VERY nice gift, not that we expected anything, but in previous moves to 3 other states, I must say the agent we had at each gave us very nice gifts for giving him/her the business. One was a $100 gift card to one of the area's best restaurants, another gave us an elaborate "welcome to your new home" flower arrangement from a local florist AND a gift basket of useful things for a new resident. The other agent (in Iowa) gave us a basket with a bottle of wine, cheeses, crackers, and a selection of $5 gift cards; Starbucks, Dunkin' D, subway, about 10 different cards all together.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Lea N

It's a nice thing to do but it isn't necessary. Do what feels right to you. When we lived in SE FL we were renting a cute little home. Every time I went to pay the rent (at a real estate office) the agents would walk up to me enthusiastically and when they realized I was only paying rent they weren't as welcoming. That is except for one agent. He took the time to make small talk for a few minutes.

When we bought our first home in FL he was the one who helped us. We bought and sold 3 houses after that and used him. When my father moved to FL he was the real estate agent who helped with his home purchase. After he helped us with our first home we had him over for dinner, with his mother (who he was a caregiver to). We were friends for years after that, until we moved away.

Nice to remember when people were genuine, a business relationship of course, but also a "human" connection. The agents who didn't have time for you when it would not mean money in their pocket, probably represent the highest percentage, the feel they are tying to make a living, no guaranteed salary (like a car sales person), so they can't waste time that might cost them and their family's income for that week/month. But, then there are those for whom everything is not about money, like the one you met, and stayed LOYAL TO ! A nice experience.