Calling on Listing Agent Sign

We have all done it. We see a real estate sign in the yard and curiosity gets us. How much is that house? Why don't I just call the agent on the sign to get the price and before you know it, you are making an appointment with that agent to see it. Before you pick up your cell phone, "buyer beware". That agent does not look out for you. His job is to get the most money and best terms for his seller/client and to SELL you the property.

How could this hurt you, well let say you told him that you would offer $150,000 but will go to the listed price of $175,000. The Listing Agent has to tell the seller that you stated that you would go to $175,000. It's just like you were talking directly to the seller. You allowed that listing agent to keep both sides of the fee, the listing portion as well as the selling portion. That selling portion could have gone to your agent, who would have represented you and would have advised you about the value of the property by doing research that the listing agent could not provide to you.

If you make an appointment with that agent to see that house you have just caused that agent to claim you, even though they do not represent you. If you decide before you put in an offer that you want someone on your side that listing agent could take your buyer's agent fee off them. They would state that you  initiated contact with him/her and that he/she was the cause for you finding the house and not having to pay the buyer's agent. 

The best thing to do is to hire your agent First before looking at properties.

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