I recently responded to a couple ads on Craigslist for condos for rent. One was clearly a “Rent to Own” ad while the other simply was “For Rent.” I called both phone numbers, one was a realtor; and the other was the owner (who is also a real estate agent).
After talking with both of them, I set up times to look at each of the condos and not letting the other know that I was looking at the same property. However, the condo owner referred me to his real estate agent, and she referred me to someone she called her “partner” that lived in the building. This is where remaining a free agent comes into play; I don’t even really want to buy because my financial standing doesn’t allow it, so why would I even want a “conversation” with a real estate agent.
Long story, short version – after talking with 3 different people about just setting up an appointment to compare condos – it didn’t even happen because the “partner” realtor lied and convinced him I wasn’t interested at all!
And after looking at one of the condos, my son and I decided that it was even smaller than the expensive apartment we live in now, and lacks the few amenities we like to have anyway. Even if we could just rent, it wouldn’t suit our basic needs no matter if we were interested in purchasing or renting.
Real estate agents are hounds, I wouldn’t want to have their jobs no matter the state of the economy.
