Survey Shows Agents Left 1 in 5 Unhappy

Home sellers must be careful consumers when choosing a real estate agent, according to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports magazine.

The survey revealed that during the latter half of the 1980s, real estate agencies left one in five home sellers dissatisfied. The publication’s annual questionnaire was answered by 56,000 of 72,000 readers who had employed an agent in efforts to sell property between 1985 and early 1989.

Surprisingly large numbers, the survey showed, believe they did not get their money’s worth for the thousands of dollars in commissions they paid for an agent’s help.

Complaints included agents pressuring for a lower sale price too soon and their not showing or advertising a house as promised. Respondents also cited problems with agents during the negotiation process.

Of those listing with an agent, 20% said they changed agents while the property was up for sale, and nearly 75% sold their houses for less than the listing price.

To improve your chances of selling your house, the editors of Consumer Reports suggest the following guidelines:

--Interview an agent from a top-rated agency along with one or two from local agencies with good reputations.

--Knock on doors of a few neighbors with “for sale” signs and chat with the owners about their listing agent.

--Before giving an agent a listing, discuss the commission (which is negotiable), where and how often the house will be advertised, dates of open houses, the manner in which potential buyers will be screened by the agent and how offers will be presented.

--If sellers opt to sell their homes without an agent and thereby save on commissions, a real estate lawyer is considered essential, to review the documents and close the deal.