Meeting with a Realtor tomorrow about a house, what questions should I ask?

Realtors are useless.  DO NOT rely on any information they give you.  Do your own homework, and rely on them for the basics like negotiating and finding association fees, etc.

+1
...but I wouldn't trust someone that makes a commission off of me to negotiate according to my benefit. Ask what his/her cut is. Look for someone that's not afraid to insult the home owner with WAY low bids. Look around and make sure they're shooting low.


If you find your "dream" house, get it inspected, hopefully by someone you trust. The $250 can save you thousands.

I love these threads

I would recommend visiting your potential purchase at around 2AM and park outside. Listen for traffic noise and other things that might bother you.

lol depending on neighborhood this could get you looked at by the po-po for scoping out houses...

I disagree - they are being put out of business by the internet and can be very helpful finding you 10-20 potentials based on must haves you give them.  i.e.:

woodstove
2 acres+
sump pump and pit
underground utilities
95% furnace
new roof
new siding
etc.

It used to be that the price was not disclosed to the public, but now you can use the realtors to find the houses, check the internet or owners price, and then use a fourth party to do the paperwork.  Yes it's shady, but why waste your time driving all over the place when there are people willing to do it for you.

Here's a prime reason I got out of the business....too many buyers & sellers with that kind of attitude.

Perhaps if so many of your former colleagues weren't horrible at their jobs, me or so many others, wouldn't have this opinion.  I'm not saying all realtors (or, excuse me, Realtors - it is a trademarked term –– how highfalutin) are horrible, just the vast majority.

Small_Arms_Collector,
Is renting an apartment in the local area an option while you hunt for that perfect house and area ? Take your time, there are a ton of homes in that price range around Wayne County.

Only as a last ditch resort, I lived in an apartment before as a kid, and the whole time was an unmitigated disaster, that, and there's also serious security concerns, and over penetration issues.

I can't stress enough to take your time right now.  There are so many houses out there and the values keep dropping.  I bought mine in 2005 for 170k (by myself) and am now looking with my wife for a new one to move into and rent this one out.  Don't buy something out of 'buck fever'.... Make sure you are 'sure, sure, sure'....

Another option is to rent a house until you have the downpayment for the house you want.

The reason consumers have these experiences, these attitudes, and ultimately why you left, is the typical business model used by brokers, and promoted by the national chain franchises.  Make money off of inexperienced agents.  Sign up as many as possible, charge them monthly desk fees, advertising, dues, trainiing etc. etc.  The result is inexperienced part-timers muddying up the market.  Consumers for the most part get amateurs, and if they try to deal with a broker, he/she's too busy babysitting a house full of rookies.  You don't see commercial brokers doing this.  They have a few seasoned pros, and some noobs who have to partner up with a senior until they learn and acquire a book of their own.  Much better systen for them and their clients.

The relevance of this the the thread is that you need to find an experienced agent/broker with a good reputation and hire him/her as a buyer's agent (in writing).  It won't cost you anything, but it will, at least legally, bind them to act in your best interest, not as a sub-agent of the seller (and listing broker).

I'm a real estate attorney, and have a broker's license, so I'm speaking with a little first-hand experience.

Good luck.