Online House Hunting

Is it ok to use more than 1 Realtor when house hunting?

My wife and I are looking for houses in our area, but think we might be interested in another area a bit further away. Is it ok for us to a different agent show us the houses in the more distant area or should we give our current agent the oppurtunity to show us the homes out there as well? (Even if he might not be as familiar with the area?) We have received an inital list of homes from the first realtor but have not been to any to look at them yet. It has been several days of unreturned voicemails and emails. We were anxious to look so went to a realtor website and asked a question about a home we saw. That realtor responded immediately and asked for more information about what kind of homes we are interested in. It felt kind of wrong to just give her the information when someone else was presumably looking for us (if they would return a call.....) We are still trying to decide whether or not to give the second reator any information.

Public Comments

1. If you haven't signed a buyer's agency agreement with the first Realtor then you are free to use other Realtors. However, as a former Realtor, I would suggest that if you are happy with the job this Realtor is doing for you then give him/her a chance to show you the houses in the other area. Remember, Realtors work on commission and he/she has put time in showing you around in your area. Ask him/her first, if it's very far away he/she might not be able to help you. But, at least give him/her a chance.
2. your realtor has spent a lot of time with you- going else where is a slap in the face if you did not sign a contract. Don't do it. Go to infotube.net and also look on the internet for other homes that use the virtual tour guide before making appointments. It will also give you ideas of where you want to live and what you get for the money. Secondly, educate yourselves on the mortgage, and ask your realtor if she is a one stop shop and can help you with the mortgage. We have a business with realtors that teach you about mortgages- how they make money, and how they can be your one stop realtor-anywhere in the country.
3. No, its not good to vacillate. If you notice the broker is not worthy...get a new one of course. Again, if you are working out of each others territories, go for it...at the price of fuel, brokers don't normally like to travel 30 miles to show a home. Brokers list where their offices are and show in the same territories. This doesn't mean that they are not connected to the same bureaus and can't get the same information that another 30 miles away can get. If you want info all around and are confused with the area you wish to reside, stick with one, you chase down the homes in outside territories and when you find a good one, come back to the same broker and she/he will handle the entire package for you with a good reputable Title company.
4. I would give your current agent a shot first. Ask him if he would like to show you houses at the different location. I am a Realtor and have had this happen to me. I would ask you to look at the situation if you were a Realtor. How much time has your Realtor spent with you? Are they knowledgeable and you find them as an asset to buying a house? Give your Realtor an opportunity before moving on...
5. As long as you have not signed any contracts you are not obligated to anyone.
6. If you have not signed a buyer's agreement, you are free to use whoever you wish. I would contact the first realtor, thank them for the information and advise that you are using someone else. You deserve to go with a Realtor that provides you service.