patrick.net

YesYNot says

jsmarket,

Trying to understand your selling story.

Your asking price was less than your original expectations, so you were skeptical.

The final offer was 10% over asking, which was 8% higher than your giddy expectations.

So there was a 2% difference between your giddy estimates and the lowball skeptical price?

Hi,

I'll be specific as it's probably easier to follow that way.

We thought the house was worth $500-$510K; Julie Roberts had us price it at $495K.

The three offers all came in at $490-$500K as I remember it.

It was then she went back to the buyers agents and told them they were all within 2% of one another (absolutely true) and to have your best offer available on Tuesday @ 5PM at her office.

On Tuesday, the 3 agents showed up with their offers and stories regarding their clients. Each buyer was very motivated to buy our home - it showed like a model with a lot of great touches - and one of them went to $550K to make sure they secured the home. my flicking memory of things had one other at $500K and another at $520 or $525K or so.

It happened to be the 'winning' couple had offered and lost a similarly constructed, old home just three doors down from us (we didn't know at the time) just a few weeks earlier. Our home was, frankly, nicer and they offered higher in recognition of that.

Julie Roberts, sales professional, was in our minds the reason we got an extra $40K for our home. Her acumen more than paid the 6% commissions involved off.

The couple that bought the house is still there according to an old neighbor...they put some real money into the house since (maybe $100K), but last time I looked it up Zillow had it at $775K. So, they may do okay on the sell, as well, as it turns out.

"...come back later and tell us when you become the SELLER ?"

Excellent Question!

A real estate developer/Realtor friend told me. Money is made in Real estate WHEN YOU BUY , not when you sell.!

For the most part this is true. Sellers are always selling for a reason. Donald trump calls these reasons the 5 D's of Real estate:

DEBT, DIVORCE, DISEASE, DISASTER, DEATH

These are the reasons most people sell. THESE reasons are MOTIVATIONS TO SELL NOW

When you as a buyers find a seller with EQUITY and ANY ONE of the reasons above are motives for the sale. You "may" have a BUYING opportunity...IF AND ONLY IF insiders such as Realtors don't beat you to the punch. One reason that many people get their real estate license is to get a discount on the sales transaction fees AND/OR to get inside BUYING information ONLY available to agents.

You see, most buyers ARE ALWAYS competing with REALTORS for the best buys. If a Realtor see a correctly priced property it is NOT illegal for them to buy it, even if they are representing YOU as a buyer on the same property. I call this INSIDER trading. In these cases the agent KNOWS everything about the competition: You as buyer! And they are NOT legally required to disclose the fact they are making an offer that will prevent YOU from having a winning offer.

investor90 says

You see, most buyers ARE ALWAYS competing with REALTORS for the best buys. If a Realtor see a correctly priced property it is NOT illegal for them to buy it, even if they are representing YOU as a buyer on the same property. I call this INSIDER trading. In these cases the agent KNOWS everything about the competition: You as buyer! And they are NOT legally required to disclose the fact they are making an offer that will prevent YOU from having a winning offer.

According to NAR which means it's probably inflated, the gross personal income for Realtors by hours worked: $49,000 (median for 40-59 hrs.) I bet they're just buying properties out from under everyone hand over fist. LOL.

What's the difference between a Realtor and a large pizza? The pizza can feed a family of three.

For those of you who believe the value of a REALTOR is opening doors and shuffling paper and lament about the payment, you lack a clue about the value a REALTOR brings to the transaction.
Consumers benefit from a brokerage fee system where it doesn't cost any more to hire the very best. Most consumers do not evaluate and chose an outstanding REALTOR that can and does add value to the transaction exceeding the cost.
Think of it as a wedding, you can to select having it at a Ritz Carlton or a McDonalds. They use similar ingredients; butter, sugar, flower are the same at both. If the cost was the same which would you choose. The service, presentation, experience and taste will be different. In brokerage services the cost is almost the same, but most consumers do not choose the Ritz Carlton service for the same price as McDonalds, who is at fault, is that most posting here blame the REALTOR.
As a REALTOR none of my clients object to my service all refer me to their friends, co-workers and associates. All understand the value I provide to their side of the transaction. I suppose most of you would complain about an $18 charge for a burger at the Ritz or Mc Donalds. It appears the majority of those posting would object to a $3 dollar burger charge at the Ritz while still eating the burger.
Next time you need heart surgery, brain surgery, a root canal, or are charged with a serious crime try to save money find the cheapest, least experienced professional, or go on line and figure out how to do it yourself or have your unemployed brother/sister/cousin assist you then go on line and complain about your outcome and cost.
Clearly experienced professional representation has a value and that value is greater than its cost. If that were not the case and you could sell a home as easy as trading stocks, ordering books, or ordering travel, the market would have eliminated the ability to charge for those services.
I am a REALTOR, I use REALTORS when I buy and sell, I am an Attorney, I hire an attorney when I litigate or need contracts drafted, when I travel, I hire a travel agent to plan my trip; I pay premium prices to eat at premium establishments, in seeking medical care I go to specialists, not a veterinarian to save money. My goal is always to maximize the value of the service by getting the best outcome, not the lowest price. The lowest priced provider seldom produces the highest quality outcome. Think government contracting seeking the lowest price bidder, not highest value return.
If you had a bad experience, hired a bad REALTOR, made poor real estate decisions look in the mirror you will see the source of your problem staring back at you. It is not an industry problem it is a personal problem.

Bwhahahahaha.

Look at the used house pimp's rationalizations and lies.

Bruce Ailion says

Next time you need heart surgery, brain surgery, a root canal, or are charged with a serious crime try to save money find the cheapest, least experienced professional, or go on line and figure out how to do it yourself or have your unemployed brother/sister/cousin assist you then go on line and complain about your outcome and cost.

This is absurd. Realtors are used house salesmen and are on par with used car salesmen. Comparing a Realtor to a brain surgeon is like comparing a car salesman to a brain surgeon. Sure there are good car salesmen and bad ones. Neither of these job paths have anything to do with surgery.

Bruce Ailion says

If you had a bad experience, hired a bad REALTOR, made poor real estate decisions look in the mirror you will see the source of your problem staring back at you.

My wife and I picked a crappy Realtor, because she was the fourth in a line of crappy windbags that we dealt with. We were very tempted to give up on the deal because of her. Was it our fault for going through with it? Maybe, but it would have been much harder to find a good Realtor than find the right house.

Bruce Ailion says

It is not an industry problem it is a personal problem.

It is an industry problem when > 90% of Realtors are absolute crap, because the industry incentives cause this problem. The light at the end of this tunnel is that picking a typical house is about as complicated as picking the best flight from Washington DC to Chicago. The Realtor for these deals should be about out of the picture at this point.

We can certainly hope that they will eventually go out of business. The optimist in me hopes that these walking impediments to easy house transactions will be replaced by something better.

To use your tortured restaurant analogy, using a Realtor is typically like paying $18 to eat a taco bell meat product that is 28% beef. There may be some super Realtor breed that can provide a Ruth's Chris steak for $18, but like playing the scratch off, you will likely end up with the taco.

Bruce Ailion says

Next time you need heart surgery, brain surgery, a root canal, or are charged with a serious crime try to save money find the cheapest, least experienced professional, or go on line and figure out how to do it yourself or have your unemployed

This struck me too. You cannot compare a Realtor to a surgeon. How long you had to go to school just to learn for your Realto's exam? Let's get real, you might have better people skills but there is nothing you are doing the typical person with average IQ cannot learn relatively quickly and do it on his own.
"Presentation..." what kind of presentation you are talking about? I don't need a presentation to show me the house. I saw enough of them to make my own decision. I only need from you an access to the house I want to see.
After assembling my first offer with a of Realtor, who BTW didn't know how to use a copy machine at her own office, I think I can handle the template and do it myself. What else do I need from you, negotiations, calling back and forth to the sales agent? Can't I handle it myself?
Most of these 'quality" agents don't even know how to handle todays’ market short sales or foreclosures. They are so used to regular sales that they don't want to deal with distressed properties transactions.

Calling a realtor "professional" is like putting a suit on a pig.

APOCALYPSEFUCK isFrank Sinatra says

A realtor is a financial sniper and a mercenary in the employ of himself and himself only, sweeping the countryside for opportunities to enrich himself on real estate transactions by any and all means excluding weapons play, not because of any moral objectives but because the other side may be armed.

The closest analogy to a Realtor®s point of view in real estate transactions would be a maternity hospital owned and operated by vampires. They know when the parents are due and will need their services. They know when the fresh load of untainted blood will arrive and they know where they can sink their teeth into the fresh victim.

I dunno if they're better described as financial arsonists or financial vampires.

lmao

You gotta wonder why one of these parasites would even bother writing anything on patrick.net no less reading. I mean seriously. Even their reputation on Main Street is lower than used car salesmen yet they come here as if we're the problem? Hardly. I'm stunned by their reticence or reluctance to even admit their lower than whale shit reputation. And that's just the first step. Getting one of these clowns to take a personal inventory would be a miracle in itself.

What clueless jack asses they are.

I'm surprised about the animosity towards realtors.

There's good and bad in any profession....and there are subjective likes and dislikes.

Take some time to discover the best for you - generally, anyone with less than 5 years experience should be avoided. If the agent has made it past that hump, they have the acumen to have built business despite the large obstacles in the way the first 5 years of business.

After that, it would seem to simply be a personality that suits your needs and wants.

For what it's worth, one of my best buds here in San Fran is a BIGGIE realtor....he's VERY successful (residential and commercial properties). He's a totally sharp, and unerringly honest, guy - with 4 great kids and wife. He set me up with his financier of choice and has given me choice advice the past few months while we've looked for a home. I cannot thank him enough for his input.

However, he's not our (buying) agent. Because I recognized my wife will be handling most of the house chatter and visits, we found one more suitable (for us). A totally buttoned up lady just down the street - unerringly positive and forthright - was our pick and I have to say it's been a fine choice throughout.

You have a choice - choice wisely in what's best for you - and take some measure of responsibility in the deal. If you're involved, it's your money (and or house), so make certain the end result is one that you are happy with.

jsmarket says

I'm surprised about the animosity towards realtors.

C'mon now. After the last 15 disastrous, corruption plagued years regarding housing sales and you're "surprised"? I got news for you bud...... the animosity isn't just here. It's everywhere.

You Lowlife says

jsmarket says

I'm surprised about the animosity towards realtors.

C'mon now. After the last 15 disastrous, corruption plagued years regarding housing sales and you're "surprised"? I got news for you bud...... the animosity isn't just here. It's everywhere.

I've found animosity often fills the void where responsibility should've been.

So, are realtors dramatically worse than they've ever been - or are people sloughing off their role and responsibility for any mess they may have been involved with?

If one has even 1% role in any decision, you could've changed the outcome. Instead, one whines about 'the others' poor habits. Social media such as Patrick.net, Facebook, and Blogosphere has made it easier than ever to shirk one's culpability.

It's your life - we all make good choices and bad ones - those that learn from both are all too rare.

jsmarket says

I've found animosity often fills the void where responsibility should've been.

Oh puleez.

NAR failed the public in every way possible. They're the problem, they've been the problem and based on their perpetual shirking of responsibility, they'll continue to be the problem.

Realtors are generally useless. They are currently enjoying a monopoly, so they can eke out a living while providing no real benefit.

Stating the above opinion isn't whining, displacing blame, or any crap like that. It is the pessimist that thinks we need a 6% Realtor tax to be able to buy and sell houses to each other. Any optimist would think that we can achieve such a simple task on our own much quicker than finding an honest Realtor.

jsmarket says

've found animosity often fills the void where responsibility should've been.

So, are realtors dramatically worse than they've ever been - or are people sloughing off their role and responsibility for any mess they may have been involved with?

I wouldn't take what anonymous posters say too seriously. If they post like a 13 year old they just might be, or you may just be entertaining an immature unemployed adult living in their parents garage. People who can't get the system to work for them tend to hate the system they can't figure out how to make work for them.

Every successful investor I've trained either has a Realtor they work closely with or have gotten licensed themselves. Having to rely on services like Redifin for your MLS is going to severely impair your competitiveness.

jsmarket says

I'm surprised about the animosity towards realtors.

Name one profession where every thing that professional says is 100% lies? It seems like you are clueless about the Realtor tactics. They are not even professionals. It is pathetic and down side of USA that here they make 6% of the sale price for doing nothing compared to other professionals where they have to work hard to earn.

bubblesitter says

Name one profession where every thing that professional says is 100% lies?

I can't name one. Except for realtor.

Clearly when your only tool is a hammer everything looks like a nail. If the only REALTORs you meet are inadequate perhaps the quality agents are unwilling to work with clients with perception and attitude issues.

One skill REALTORs develop is an ability to quickly assess the character of the people they represent and negotiate with. A average to good agent would pick up your attitude and quickly conclude, NEXT. The good agents have as many clients as they want. Those potential clients with ignorant, intolerant, critical, dishonest, biased, unreasonable attitudes and perceptions are thrown back. They are not keepers. Eventually these potential clients will find an agent to work with, the ones with little or no experience and who does not know better to avoid those who do not value their service.

We weren't passed on by any Realtor that we spoke to. We just could tell that all four agents were not trustworthy. We also offered within 3 weeks and closed in another 3 weeks after seeing 3 or 4 houses. So any astute agent would have known it would be pretty easy money. We are happy with our purchase, b/c we knew what we wanted. But we were very disappointed with the quality of the Realtors. Maybe next time we will have better luck.

Any advice on finding a good Realtor? Are there Realtor rating services? If some agents are so much better than the others, is there a way to see who got ripped off by whom? The good agents should be raking the bad ones over the coals, huh?

ELC, is there some reason that you think Redfin's data is lacking? Redfin had all of the same properties available through the Realtor's MLS data, and updated data within two hours when our house changed status. What does a Realtor offer that Redfin doesn't?

I am writing this not for those that have such a negative opinion. This response is to inform those who may really care about some facts.

First there is a difference between a REALTOR and a real estate agent. A REALTOR must abide by an oath to follow the Code of Ethics and that holds us to a higher standard meaning we must put our clients first. If that is not the exprlerience you have had then you need to file a complaint with that agents' state licensing body or the association they belong to.

Here is what Realtors ARE responsible for:(note all of these are consumer focused). Again, I am speaking about Realtors NOT licensees :
*REALTORS fought for the the $500,000 capital gains tax exemption when selling your primary residence. For single people $250,000 exemption
*REALTORS have been fighting for a long term extension of flood insurance because Congress keeps using it as a hold out in order.to get other bills signed. Without flood insurance properties that need it cannot close. According to govt numbers that is over 3000 closings per day that will not happen for each day there is a gap in flood insurance. It is currently expired and has a 60 day extension
*REALTORS are fighting to prevent Government from abusing eminent domain so property is not wrongfully taken from property owners to increase tax base
*REALTORS are fighting for responsible lending but NOT requiring 20% down which woud exclude over 70% of those with excellent credit that would otherwise be able to buy a home. This will definitely slow the housing recovery and therefore values recovering.
*REALTORS fight at the local, state and federal level preventing regulations that would put unfair burdens on current homeowners
*REALTORS are fighting with the government about the federally imposed regulations on appraisers that force appraisers.to use foreclosures as comparable even when there are sales to support a sales price. Appraisers are now in the fight along side us
*REALTORS have successfully fought with regulators to remove fees imposed on certain loans that would go towards funding the health care bill
*REALTORS are fighting so credit unions have more ability to fund commercial loans. This would help the commercial market rebound.

These are just a handful of things REALTORS DO having nothing to do with commission. I can tell you many cases where a homeowner thought they could sell on their own, screwed up their own deal to then call for help happy to pay the fee for our service. Same for buyers who don't know what to ask for or how to negotiate. Do some buyers and sellers have success on their own? Absolutely but it is NOT the majority.

Nobody forces anyone to use a REALTOR, it is a choice someone makes. I have known buyers to pay way over what they should have due to inexperience and the excitement of buying a home and I have seen sellers sell WAY too low, again, due to inexperience. Yes, you could argue the fee is high but calculate the cost of screwing up your own deal and I will bet you would be happy to use a professional. Banks require homeowners who wish to short sale their home to use a REALTOR and forbid them to act on their own behalf

RE: What it takes to get a real estate license....as a consumer who would hire a REALTOR you probably want someone who treats their profession as a career and not a part time hobby. That person would have designations and certifications indicating they are constantly interested in learning how to best meet the needs of their clients. There are a lot of REALTORS so ask the right questions instead of hiring a friend or an agent that sells only one or two houses a year.

While I realize I probably won't change the minds of the avid "haters" hopefully some others will now know that we do function outside working to earn a living which I did not think was unusual

CBM says

his response is to inform those who may really care about some facts.

"Facts"? like your "integrity" when NAR released false data every single month of the year for 5 years running? That's a fact and the truth. We know all about your "facts". Your problem is you conflate your "facts" with truth and then pass it off as truth. And of course the public doesn't expect you people to know the difference so I'll explain it to you. A fact allows you to be "right". However, being "right" and the truth are two different things in that you can be "right" irrespective of the truth. And getting to the truth is always a bumpy painful process that you people seem to do anything to avoid.

CBM says

A REALTOR must abide by an oath to follow the Code of Ethics and that holds us to a higher standard

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

We know all about your voluntary code of ethics.

It's hilarious when someone invokes the "code of ethics" when desperately attempting to defend these shysters.

CBM says

Nobody forces anyone to use a REALTOR

Really? Another lame, worn out excuse by you creeps? And how many times will you continue to mis-use this false assertion? The truth is MLS is a monopoly.

What a seething shitpot of jackasses you people are.

APOCALYPSEFUCK isFrank Sinatra says

The Realtor® point of view is always - 'assholes, it's their fault for believing what they're told and the wife deserved to see her husband blow his brains out in front of her. Better luck next life. Hahahahahahahahaha!'

Exactly.

How many millions of lives have these people destroyed with their antics?

What a joke. Most of you clowns don't know the difference between shit and shineola. I mean really, pull your head out of your ass...what a bunch of under-educated windbags. If you ever want to do your own Real Estate transaction I welcome you...and I hope I'm the agent on the other end. You'd realize the value of an agent in a hurry. Most of you have an attention span of less than three minutes and couldn't negotiate a Real Estate transaction from start to finish if your life depended on it. You know what they say....Oh' wait, you don't know what they say do you.

If you prefer leaving a comment on this post, let it be known it will be for you and you only....as I will NOT be back to this waste of time website anytime soon.
Sincerely,

GoFuckYourself
REALTOR

Because, as one Realtor told me, they like people. That's why they are in the business.

jvolstad says

Because, as one Realtor told me, they like people. That's why they are in the business.

as one realtor told me, they like money. That's why they are in the business.

jvolstad says

Because, as one Realtor told me, they like people. That's why they are in the business.

as another realtor told me, they like money. That's why they are in the business.

EconPete says

The housing market would recover faster if home deals could omit this expensive middle man.

Recover to what ? higher prices, thats not a recovery thats a bubble!
This is now the second correction we have seen over the past 30 years.

Has it sunk in that prices eventual fall and go back to some normality...

Too many people still think prices go up 10-30-50% year over year!
Its just crazy talk to think that ... like we need another nail in the coffin.

I guess you hate everyone because every profession has criminals which is not indicative of an entire profession. Must be hard to harbor such venom for the world. Takes a lot of energy to be this angry.

CBM says

I guess you hate everyone because every profession has criminals which is not indicative of an entire profession. Must be hard to harbor such venom for the world. Takes a lot of energy to be this angry.

Once again with the conflations and false equivalencies? I see a whole lot of truth telling and you call that anger?

The sentiment really is truth then. You guys really are stupid and unethical.

FUCKAPOCALYPSE says

I will NOT be back to this waste of time website anytime soon.

Good riddance jackass.

The national association of realtors bribes politicians more then any other group of privilege buying scumbags, because they are the last line of defense to save American Homeownership for the populace. And the six hour certification course that the whores must take to enter the profession, is proof positive, that these freedom fighters earn every cent of the 40k on the sale of a 700k government subsidized shitbox. What the hell is wrong with you people? You should be giving realtors hand jobs of appreciation rather then sitting here posting all the lies and being filled with negativity. I mean, where would you be without heart surgeons, scientists, and realtors?

FUCKAPOCALYPSE says

I will NOT be back to this waste of time website anytime soon.

If you change your mind,you better come back with a new identity.

Frankly I think your anger is displaced. Why no similar anger towards attorneys or politicians. You know, those "people" who are the real thieving, corrupt, lying, scumbags?

I agree. Recovery will be when home prices decline another 25%. More in some areas. We're looking for at least an 80% decline from peak prices. Then let it fluctuate in line with the land that's slowly appreciating tempered with the improvement on it that's depreciating. Artificially created supply and demand as well as cheap easy financing will only lead to trouble.

IMO a house is a home. It's not an ATM or a get rich quick scheme. Leave speculation to the stock market or the casinos. Laws need to be passed to prevent the greedy from taking advantage of people's desire to have a piece of the American Dream or pretty soon there won't be one.

Honest Abe says

Frankly I think your anger is displaced. Why no similar anger towards attorneys or politicians. You know, those "people" who are the real thieving, corrupt, lying, scumbags?

Frankly, attorneys and medical doctors are considered "professional" and actually know something.

You can stop with the false equivalency that realtors= MD's, JD's and engineers. Realtors are toll booth collectors and nothing more.

taka says

as another realtor told me, they like money. That's why they are in the business.

LOL. They're in the wrong business if they like the money!

http://www.realtor.org/field-guides/field-guide-to-quick-real-estate-statistics

FUCKAPOCALYPSE says

If you prefer leaving a comment on this post, let it be known it will be for you and you only....as I will NOT be back to this waste of time website anytime soon.
Sincerely,

GoFuckYourself
REALTOR

I'd reconsider. Where are you going to find an unmoderated site like this one to play in?

You Lowlife says

Honest Abe says

Frankly I think your anger is displaced. Why no similar anger towards attorneys or politicians. You know, those "people" who are the real thieving, corrupt, lying, scumbags?

Frankly, attorneys and medical doctors are considered "professional" and actually know something.

You can stop with the false equivalency that realtors= MD's, JD's and engineers. Realtors are toll booth collectors and nothing more.

Personally (and I only mean ME) I've been exposed to what I'd referred to as more 'unprofessional' lawyers and doctors than I have Real Estate agents (or, Realtors) in my life. A 7 year degree does not guarantee 'professionalism'.

I've been in sales for 25 years and your analogy of a toll booth operator is one I think of regularly. I have a bridge, it's one of many bridges available to prospective buyers and consumers.

My goal is to make the absolutely best passage available. I'm not the cheapest as I am providing great service, but my bridge is the smoothest, fastest way to get Buyer to Consumer connected. Once passage is easy for Buyer and Consumer to make, they willingly hand over their toll to my company.

Our 'toll' is 20-25%....a whole helluva' lot more than RE Agents charge for their services.

A good Agent is well worth 6%. A bad one could make that same 6% an insufferable amount to pay.

CBM says

I can tell you many cases where a homeowner thought they could sell on their own, screwed up their own deal to then call for help happy to pay the fee for our service.

I've found having a good title company is the key to a smooth deal. In a FSBO the buyer or seller can pick their title company. When a Realtor is involved they usually use a title company that sucks. Why they choose a crummy title company I have no idea. I even had a Realtor willing to walk (and betray their client) because I insisted on using my title company. I gave in and agreed to use theirs. Low and behold when the buyer saw my title company crossed out on the contract he called them directly asking for a price estimate. In the end I ended up accepting an offer from someone easier to deal with but it goes to show you the buyer was open to using my title company, the Realtor wasn't and lost the deal because of it.

With Realtors I've found when they're bad they're VERY bad. When they're good they're very good. As soon as I know I'm dealing with one of the bad ones I take an alternative route if at all possible. What's also worked for me is calling their broker and begin dealing with them. I told him we were having a clash of personality. (resisting the temptation of telling him his agent was a lying egotistical fool) :)

YesYNot says

Any advice on finding a good Realtor? Are there Realtor rating services? If some agents are so much better than the others, is there a way to see who got ripped off by whom? The good agents should be raking the bad ones over the coals, huh?

ELC, is there some reason that you think Redfin's data is lacking? Redfin had all of the same properties available through the Realtor's MLS data, and updated data within two hours when our house changed status. What does a Realtor offer that Redfin doesn't?

To find a good Realtor start out by calling the broker. If you can't get ahold of them move to the next. If you feel a rapport with the broker, tell him/her your needs then ask the broker to recommend an agent or see if they want to handle it. Get the broker's cell number. Then if you have a problem with the agent you have the broker to fall back on.

The MLS has all sorts of information fields you can add that Redfin doesn't have. I can search for sellers that have no balance on their mortgage. Foreign owners. Out of state owners. Lease options. Properties just listed or going back to any date I choose. Properties based on commission rates. Lis Pendens. I can search any key word in the remarks or description sections. And all this can be set up as an automatic notification watch list. Also I can see the complete property history including who sold it, how many times they changed Realtors, price changes. I can see the broker remarks. And more! I list some of the things at http://realtytraining.org

However, most Realtors and Investors don't know how to customize the program to do these things but the ones that hire me learn how.