Homeowner Kills Real Estate Agent, Authorities Say

Taken advantage of

There are four groups that are reguarly taken advantage of in the real estate market.

1. The very young or "first time homebuyers" (which is agent code for 'suckers').

2. The older buyer or anyone who pays "cash" without getting an appraisal (by an appraiser that they pay for themselves, not one referred to by the agent).

3. Minorities (or Non-english speaking immigrants).

4. Out of state buyers, who aren't aware of local pricing. A 1500 sq. ft. house in Kansas doesn't sell for the same price as it does in California (Florida, Atlanta, or Chicago)..so don't always listen to the agent that tells you to "bid high".

There is nothing wrong with renting for a while when you move into a new market area. Watch what homes are selling for, not what they are listed for. Pasers on stun, good luck, Kirk out.

Capt. Kirk of KS @ Jul 27, 2008 22:20:26 PM

To Amy of VA and other realtors...

Hello Amy, I hear your argument. But please do not attempt to bring pity for evidently what you consider a measly 1.5%. Don't assume every non-realtor who is selling their own home is just like most other cattle who want their hand held and sweet nothings whispered in their ear.

I am well aware of how the real-estate offices and staff breakdown their glutinous 6% of the sale price of someone’s home. Evidently you feel that you rate more for all your tremendous services and cost. What is your cost Amy? How much is your annual licensing fee? Do you have, and if so how much is your liability insurance? How much do you personally pay out in advertisement? What is the average amount of miles and gallons of gasoline for each house you sell? Do you even know? When the office that you work for advertises property in bulk that it is under its umbrella, just how much is spent in advertising dollars per house in the sales inventory?

Tell me Amy what is the total mean cost to sell one house?

I understand not all realtors are of the same quality. But please understand not all people selling their homes are blind lazy sheep.

Concerning the hours of training realtors go through, if you seriously desire someone to respect your training, give full disclosure as to exactly how many weeks you have been trained in selling someone’s home. If your training comes from the normal (in my area) 4-6 weeks in night school, don't expect a large amount of respect. When realtor’s licenses or diplomas are presented at legitimate universities after four years of study, at that point we could probably begin to discuss your training in earnest, and the commission percent of a realtor selling my home.

John of FL @ Jul 19, 2008 15:41:19 PM

Shame on you all

After reading the above comments I was saddened that there was no sympathy for the real estate agent, As a real estate agent myself I know that the seller has to sign any agreement between the buyer and himself so why did the seller blame the agent for. In whatever transpired someone lost his life ad his family and the seller will surley do jail time and what about his familys life? Tragic event for all.

L. Negranti of CA @ Jul 19, 2008 14:43:40 PM

Clarification.....!!!!

There is a difference in a REALTOR and a real estate agent.

REALTORS belong to Associations, required to attend Continuing Education every year, Code of Ethics training and has a Professional Code of Conduct with Rules and Regulations to abide by.

You can have a license and NOT be a REALTOR. Apparently, Reel Thor is neither as he cannot even spell estate.

I have searched and searched.. there are no Reel Thor listings anywhere in the US but there are 2 R Thors in CA, 1 in NM & 1 in WI.

of NC @ Jul 19, 2008 14:31:58 PM

Murder is not Funny

I know everyone else has already driven this point to the ground, but I feel the need to chime in. Since when did a human life lost become something to laugh at? That so-called realtor of ten years is one scary puppy! Anyone who laughs at a senseless murder is psycho - and anyone who then posts on the internet that is was not only funny, but a joke to share with an entire office certainly has some SERIOUS mental problems. What a scum-bag! If this guy is indeed a realtor, he should be kicked out of the profession completely. It is a shame that the focus has switched from the tragic loss of life to how lame "Reel Thor" is. My thoughts and prayers to the murdered man's family - how horrible.

Mikey of WA @ Jul 19, 2008 13:42:15 PM

To John of FL and others...

Let me start out by saying that the real estate agent profession is extremely misunderstood.

A misguided and oblivious public have contributed to that.

I cannot vouch for all agents, but most agents work very hard for their money.

And since you wanted to talk so much in depth about how much money we make, maybe you would like to really know the breakdown of how most agents get paid.

You see, usually 6 % is the total commission that the sellers pay. 3% goes to the listing side company and the other 3% goes to the buyers agent's company. Out of the 3% each agent on each side may see half after our company gets paid. So you see really most agents are actually making 1.5% of the sales price of the home. Thought you and everyone else may like some clarification on that.

And as far as selling on you own...

I've been a agent for many years and cannot understand why anyone would want to try and handle selling their own home (one of the biggest transactions of their life) You should leave it to the folks who do it everyday.

Just as any other profession, their are people that are good at what they do and others who are not. Seek out help from someone who has experience in your area and who you trust to help you sell your biggest investment.

In other words...

I wouldn't cut my own hair to save money. Why? Because I don't know how to cut hair. Now I surely wouldn't put myself in harms way with all of the liability of selling a home just to save some money either.

Agents have hours and hours of education training under their belt to reduce liability for our clients and ourselves. And the experience of selling multiple homes every month. That's a safety net that is worth the money anyday.

It boils down to this... until you've done the job of an agent don't knock it. It's a very hard job and all of the agents I know really have their clients best interest at heart.

Thanks for listening.

Amy of VA @ Jul 19, 2008 13:34:56 PM

This is horrible. Agents have nothing to do with when a market will turn. Sometimes the market shifts not too long after you buy a home and your house isn't worth as much. Real Estate is an investment and ups and downs go hand in hand with that. This is of no fault to the agent. I can't believe what kind of world we are living in! My prayers are with his family.

Amy of VA @ Jul 19, 2008 13:01:28 PM

So Sorry and Pathetic

It is SAD that persons do not clarify their statements. I bought a house in Florida last year and it's not worth what I paid for it either, to the tune of $100,000 LESS (if I'm lucky). Of course it was worth it at the time & even appraised for more. Statements should, at all times, be followed up with reasons why you are saying things.

I am SO-O-O sorry that Reel Thor chose to make those comments. Let'say all pray for him as we will for the families involved in this senseless incident.

I have researched the NC Real Estate Commission files and that jerk is NOT listed. Perhaps if he were a member he would have taken Ethics training and Professional Standards classes as the

rest of us are required to do in order to maintain a Real Estate License.

PLEASE do not let this reflect on the rest of us here in NC. I have been a Realtor for over 23 years and have not experienced anything like this before.

Kitty Giese of NC @ Jul 19, 2008 12:59:26 PM