My lease is up in August, and I'm looking to buy a house. I'd like to live in the north Dallas area, as I work in Frisco and my girlfriend works downtown and want something that's not too far for either of us. I'd like to spend in the $130-150k range. Does anyone have any recommendations of areas to live and/or real estate agents that know the area? I know this is a pretty broad criteria, so I'll need some help narrowing my focus.

Just a little more background, I'd prefer a house, but am open to a townhome or condo as well. I'd also prefer an older home that I can cosmetically renovate. I'm a first time homebuyer, and appreciate any insight.

[This message has been edited by blynch2005 (edited 5/5/2008 1:25p).]

I might want to get a name or two myself as I should be in the market as well around that time frame.

Yes. I have a friend who is a real estate agent. His name is David Ross. If you want his contact info email me.

[This message has been edited by Deb (edited 5/5/2008 2:16p).]



[This message has been edited by Deb (edited 5/5/2008 2:17p).]

My wife is a Realtor (and an Aggie to boot) as well as being part-time real estate investors. Let me know and I'll give you her contact info.

yes me
stevehorn@remax.net
www.teamtopdog.net

Her name is Debbie Lief. She just helped me get a house and did a great job. And her entire family are Aggies. She is with ReMax Cross Country

debbiel@rmccdfw.com

Best Real Estate Company in D/FW is North Texas Home Finders!

Okay, okay, it's my company! :-)

I own a real estate brokerage in D/FW that specializes in helping and representing buyers of homes. A lot of people don't know this, but you don't have to pay if you are being represented as a buyer.

My company's site is www.NorthTexasHomeFinders.com

You'll see some good examples of the types of deals you can currently get...you are in GREAT shape because you can take advantage of the good buyers market without having to sell a home yourself.

When registering, enter "Cody" in the How Did You Hear About Us section, and no one will bother you with a call.

I would LOVE the opportunity to earn your business. I love working with and helping Aggies.

My direct line is 972 365 0432. I'm available to help a fellow Ag 24/7 (that's my cell).

Cody Robinson

www.AgsReward.com Get a great Aggie real estate agent, one stop shop with below market financing AND cash back.

Cody, the above poster, is in our network. He has done a wonderful job with our clients that he has helped find a home.

You can email me directly for more information Jhurst@AgsReward.com

Thanks for the nice words, Jay.

It is nice to work with Aggies, and Jay is a great one on the mortgage side. Plus, he's got access to some really nice programs right now in a crazy time for home finance.

Anything at all I can do to help any of you, just ask.

speak to a few agents and see which one is the BEST for you
stevehorn@remax.net

Angela was our Realtor and we loved her. Very no pressure, and she made the process as smooth as possible for us.

http://www.teamwhiteside.com/

I've used Cerissa with Rogers Healy before and she did a great job. I'd for sure use her again.

http://www.rogershealy.com/?q=about-cerissa-lair

How does an agent get paid? I'm assuming they don't work for free.

Pedro - usually the Seller pays both sides of the transaction commissions. It is built into the sales price.

p.s. I am an excellent agent.

Seller, whether it be a private party or a builder, pays the fees of the Buyers Agent.

It's kind of BS when a realtor says that a Seller pays all of the realtor's fee. Technically that is true, but the seller's realtor always splits the fee (usually 6%) with the buyer's realtor. So if you, as the buyer, don't use a realtor, you can negotiate the asking price down contingent on the seller's realtor only taking 3% or slightly more (and this is not difficult to do - it's pretty standard). So, for example, on a $300,000 house, if you don't use a realtor, you could negotiate $9,000 off the asking price based on that alone. I'm not saying that you shouldn't use a realtor as a buyer - I just think it's dishonest for a realtor to say that the seller is the only one responsible for realtors' fees. You pay for it as a buyer too - just indirectly.

texhor you are way off. The listing realtor ONLY represents the seller, he or she will still get 6%...it is like being sued and having the prosecuting attorney represent you. Sellers sign listing agreements with their agent, and the full commission is agreed to - meaning if there is no other agent, the listing agent gets the full 6% -if there is a buyer's agent, they agree to share a portion of the commission with that agent.

Then why did I just buy a house without a realtor that included a special provision that the seller's realtor would only take a 3.5% commission, allowing me to make a much lower offer? The listing agent has a contract with the seller entitling them to 6%, but they have a duty to present my offer with the alternative of a smaller commission. And a seller is going to want to take an offer that gives them just as much money as a full offer from a buyer with a realtor. The listing agent is fine with it too because he is also getting as much money as he would from a buyer with a realtor and a 6% fee. It's a win-win. The fact that the seller has a contract with the listing agent entitling the listing agent to 6% doesn't mean they have to stick to that contract.
You're the one who's way off.

that is called a variable commission which must be disclosed,and does not mean you got sa better deal, if that is all you got off you got screwed anyway a good smart attorney should now the law

So you admit that this is done. Thanks. That was my only point. Why did you argue it in the first place?
And I didn't say that the amount of the reduced commission was all I got off the asking price - it was just one factor that allowed me to make a much lower offer than the asking price.
I'm pretty confident in my knowledge of the law. Thanks though.
And by the way - a good realtor should be honest and forthcoming about the way they earn their fee and how that fee can be negotiated.

yep you seem to know it all....(did you know that if you are an att. you could have gotten the comm.?) sorry i did not relize i was speaking with someone as wise as you, one day i will also be a know it all/.

good job horn, way to leave at least .5% on the table

By reducing the amount I pay for the house, I am getting the commission. Just because the 3% was not actually put in my hand, doesn't mean I didn't get it in other ways.
I've had other realtors that work in the area I bought the house (and who have no personal interest in the matter) tell me I got a very good deal.
This really isn't about my house, or the deal I got on my house though.
My original point was that it's not really true that the seller handles all realtor fee costs. The buyer is paying for that too in an indirect way. And I don't think you've been able to refute that.

so what you are saying is that since you are an attorney you did get a commish that you just used towards the home....I represent alot of both buyers and sellers, I have actually run and managed alot of the builders around town,...you have bought a home, yes i see how you know it all. And I will not represent a buyer on one of my listings.thou as long as you signed the ibs i am sure you know why.

I think texhorn needs a nice steaming cup of stfu.

MY REALTOR GIVES YOU A REBATE!! My wife is an agent with Zip Realty...Jaelyn Whorton(jwhorton@ziprealty.com)972-489-5780. You get 20% of her 3% agent commission no strings

This is at least entertaining!

Here's the deal...sometimes you can negotiate a part of the commission to be knocked off the price if you are not represented. What I've found is that I can negotiate you a better deal even when they ARE paying me a commission. Plus, you have someone on YOUR side for the rest of the transaction...A pretty important point is this -- YOU ARE NOT FINISHED with the transaction when you negotiate an agreed price and sign the docs. Still have inspections, walk thrus, financing issues, and more...wouldn't you want an expert on your side during all this?

On the 20% rebate, or any rebate for that matter -- that's great, but again you need to understand that if that rebate equals $1000, and another broker could have negotiated a lower price for you (maybe $5000 lower), then you are losing money.

Just talk to a few Realtors. It will be very evident to you at that point who you need to work with. There are a few great ones, a few good ones, and a LOT that are not so good. Decide for yourself and make sure you pick a great one.

My email is Cody@NorthTexasHomeFinders.com. Feel free to shoot me an email and ask anything at all.

And good luck...remember, it's supposed to be FUN and EXCITING, not stressful...leave the stress to your agent.

I agree with ref, speak to a few because you are hiring them to represent you in a major transaction, and also make sure that they are realtors and what board they belong to.