[kp11364]

Hi all,

I know when looking to buy in TV you need a MLS and a VLS agent (and check out the FSBO listings).

But the question is - do you need more than one MLS agent? My assumption here is that if the MLS (or VLS) agent is doing a poor job, you get rid of them and get another.

Thanks.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by kp11364

Hi all,

I know when looking to buy in TV you need a MLS and a VLS agent (and check out the FSBO listings).

But the question is - do you need more than one MLS agent? My assumption here is that if the MLS (or VLS) agent is doing a poor job, you get rid of them and get another.

Thanks.

When looking to /buy/ you don't need any agent at all.
However, if you are looking to buy from a seller who has their property listed with The Villages, then you will be doing business with the VLS agent that listed the property on behalf of the owner.

Also, if you are interested in buying from a seller who has their property listed with a Realtor or non-Villages agent (or from FSBO) then you accept that a Villages agent representing you will have a limited scope on what they can and cannot do to help you buy the property.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

When looking to /buy/ you don't need any agent at all.
However, if you are looking to buy from a seller who has their property listed with The Villages, then you will be doing business with the VLS agent that listed the property on behalf of the owner.

Also, if you are interested in buying from a seller who has their property listed with a Realtor or non-Villages agent (or from FSBO) then you accept that a Villages agent representing you will have a limited scope on what they can and cannot do to help you buy the property.

That's just plain wrong.

There are 2 Listing Services for pre-owned TV homes. One is the The Villages Listing Service and the other is MLS.

The 2 services do not, in any way, work together.

If you chose to use VLS, you won't necessary be dealing with the Listing Agent. You'll be dealing with a VLS Sales Agent. If that Agent is also the Listing Agent, it's simply coincidence.

If you want to see all pre-owned homes that are available in TV, you'll need 2 agents. One from VLS and one from a local real estate company that subscribes to the MLS system.

A VLS agent won't sell you a home on MLS. An MLS Broker won't sell you a home on VLS.

FSBO is a horse of a different color. Some MLS agents will help with buying a FSBO home, some won't. There's no central listing service that has all FSBO's.

The OP asked if they needed "more than one". Dealing with one Broker is a big enough PITA, dealing with more than one at a time is even worse and you'll most likely end up with issues. Talk to a few, get recommendations and choose one. If you don't like that Broker after a while, switch to another. That same advice goes for both VLS & MLS properties.

[frayedends]

If you have an MLS agent working for you as a buyer's agent, then you don't need 2 agents. The buyer's agent can show you all MLS properties and their commission is paid by the seller with proceeds from the sale of the home.

Now, that may change in the future based on a recent lawsuit. No need to debate that issue here as there is already a long thread on it.

I would suggest that you don't sign a contract with the buyer's agent. They can ask you to, but many won't require it. Then if they suck you can just find another buyer's agent. Keep in mind any buyer's agent that shows you a home you buy will have procuring cause to get the buyer's agent commission even if you didn't buy it then but came back to it later. Usually that's not an issue.

VLS agents don't cooperate with MLS agents. So really no benefit to have a buyer's agent for that. Just go to the listing agent. But do get informed on home values by someone that isn't selling the home.

[kp11364]

I was speaking of needing more than one MLS agent - sadly I know I have to deal with MLS and VLS agents when looking to buy a resale.

Sorry I wasn't clear enough, but thank you all for the quick responses!

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by kp11364

I was speaking of needing more than one MLS agent - sadly I know I have to deal with MLS and VLS agents when looking to buy a resale.

Sorry I wasn't clear enough, but thank you all for the quick responses!

I would find one MLS agent I'm comfortable with. If that changes, find another one.

Having two at the same time could cause friction between the agents...

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by kp11364

I was speaking of needing more than one MLS agent - sadly I know I have to deal with MLS and VLS agents when looking to buy a resale.

Sorry I wasn't clear enough, but thank you all for the quick responses!

All homes that are currently for sale are available online. Browse the villages website and the MLS lisings. Go out and look at homes that interest you. Pay attention to the neighborhood, noise level, and location. Is there a lot of traffic? Power lines? Easy access to amenities and shopping?

Once you have narrowed your search, this is the time to get an agent. Newly constructed homes require a Villages agent. MLS homes are outside agents. They can take a video or pictures of the homes if you live out-of-town. Find a home and want to deal direct with the seller? Call the listing agent .

Once YOU know what you want, getting the appropriate agent is easy. Do not allow the agent to show you homes that do not interest you. Most are trying to get a higher commission and are hoping you will bite. At all times, be clear and specific. Let the agent know you have no patience for games.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by kp11364

I was speaking of needing more than one MLS agent - sadly I know I have to deal with MLS and VLS agents when looking to buy a resale.

Sorry I wasn't clear enough, but thank you all for the quick responses!

No, only if you don’t like the first MLS agent, then switch.
No need to actively use TWO at the same time. You won’t get any different listings, if you do, one of the agents is a bad agent - dump them

[Laker14]

I had a "buyer's" agent for my MLS searches, and a VLS agent. As it turned out, the house we decided on was an MLS listing, so my MLS agent did the leg work for us.

I was pleased enough with the VLS agent, however, I was uneasy with the one-sidedness of the VLS system, so that may have been a factor in why we wound up pursuing an MLS listing.

I was very happy with my MLS agent. He was the best real estate agent I ever worked with. Before relocating to TV, he worked in the business for many years in the midwest. If you are interested in his name, I would gladly refer you to him. PM me if interested.

BTW, he is not a personal friend, nor is he a relative. My only dealings with him were professional, in the purchase of our one home in TV.

Good luck!

[frayedends]

Originally Posted by kp11364

I was speaking of needing more than one MLS agent - sadly I know I have to deal with MLS and VLS agents when looking to buy a resale.

Sorry I wasn't clear enough, but thank you all for the quick responses!

My response just above this post was mostly about MLS agents.

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by kp11364

Hi all,

I know when looking to buy in TV you need a MLS and a VLS agent (and check out the FSBO listings).

But the question is - do you need more than one MLS agent? My assumption here is that if the MLS (or VLS) agent is doing a poor job, you get rid of them and get another.

Thanks.

If you were buying a house anywhere else, would you get 2 realtors? Whatever your answer is to this question will answer your current question. The Villages sales are for new homes and MLS will have existing homes. ( as will TV sales people just not access to all of them but MLS has access to all that TV doesn’t)

[melpetezrinski]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

All homes that are currently for sale are available online. Browse the villages website and the MLS lisings. Go out and look at homes that interest you. Pay attention to the neighborhood, noise level, and location. Is there a lot of traffic? Power lines? Easy access to amenities and shopping?

Once you have narrowed your search, this is the time to get an agent. Newly constructed homes require a Villages agent. MLS homes are outside agents. They can take a video or pictures of the homes if you live out-of-town. Find a home and want to deal direct with the seller? Call the listing agent .

Once YOU know what you want, getting the appropriate agent is easy. Do not allow the agent to show you homes that do not interest you. Most are trying to get a higher commission and are hoping you will bite. At all times, be clear and specific. Let the agent know you have no patience for games.

"Once you have narrowed your search, this is the time to get an agent." Unfortunately, by this time, you might have missed your dream home because an MLS realtor sold it to another buyer already. Really good deals sometimes never make it to market.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by melpetezrinski

"Once you have narrowed your search, this is the time to get an agent." Unfortunately, by this time, you might have missed your dream home because an MLS realtor sold it to another buyer already. Really good deals sometimes never make it to market.

How do you miss your dream home when all the models in the villages are the same? Lose one dream house and another one shows up. (maybe better than the one before)

[Boffin]

Originally Posted by kp11364

Hi all,

I know when looking to buy in TV you need a MLS and a VLS agent (and check out the FSBO listings).

But the question is - do you need more than one MLS agent? My assumption here is that if the MLS (or VLS) agent is doing a poor job, you get rid of them and get another.

Thanks.

No.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

If you were buying a house anywhere else, would you get 2 realtors? Whatever your answer is to this question will answer your current question. The Villages sales are for new homes and MLS will have existing homes. ( as will TV sales people just not access to all of them but MLS has access to all that TV doesn’t)

That is incorrect.

The Villages sales operation sells approximately 40% of the pre-owned homes in TV. MLS does not have access to sell those homes.

You indeed need TWO real estate agents, if you want to see all the pre-owned homes in TV.

Why post answers to legitimate questions, when you don't know the correct answer?