Steve Foley wrote:

I learned pretty quickly not to bother with someone who isn't
pre-qualified.

There is a saying in the business "Buyers are Liars".


Well...

When I first moved into this area (NJ) with my shortly-to-be-wife, we went
first to a real estate agency to find a place to rent. They wanted us to
fill out all sorts of nonsense before we could even talk to someone to ask
if they'd anything that fit our (rather specific) criteria. When we pushed
the idea that we should know they've something for us before we waste our
time, we were told pretty much what you've written.

We walked. We tell everyone to avoid that place. Or we used to; they're
gone now (it's been years since they disappeared).

We found another place and dealt with them. They treated us royally even
through we were renting some (by their standards) dinky little place. So
we used them when we bought our townhouse. And we used them again when we
bought our house.

At least two pairs of friends also used them on our recommendation, buying
fairly large expensive homes (one of which is downright incredible!).

They're still in business, BTW.

When we first dealt with that better agency, I was a little uncomfortable at
just how well we were treated. Didn't they realize how little we were
spending? From my current perspective, I see the wisdom in their behavior
and I carry that lesson into my own business.

- Andrew