This is a must-read so you'll know how this system works ~ then you'll get the most benefit of the property information available to you here...
First, you can do a quick search in any town at any time - the property information you will immediately see is limited, although street addresses are included. To see FULL listing sheets on properties that match your search criteria, including all details about each property and ALL SCHEDULED OPEN HOUSES, you are required by Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to sign-up. Once I am notified by MLS, I will activate your account and you will receive auto-email updates for the search you just created.
Another MLS rule...if you later decide to change the towns you are searching in (or other criteria), you will need to contact me so I can input those new search criteria - ONLY THEN will you receive the detailed listing sheets and scheduled open houses for the new areas. This is a small speed-bump considering you'll get to see totally ALL the information made available by the listing agent - FYI, all real estate websites draw from this "mother-ship" MLS database, however, frequently data is filtered. Not on this site!
As far as Open Houses go...remember, the agent at an open house represents the seller. As a buyer you want to be represented. If you attend, you can protect your interests and your rebate by signing in that you are working with me at ZipRealty (+ my phone #). This does not bind you to me, but will indicate to the Selling Agent that you are (at your option) working with a Buyer’s Agent.
Importantly, if this is not done and you decided to make an offer, I could not work with you on that property.
Explanation: if you were to contact a seller’s agent directly regarding specifics on a particular property, that raises an issue called "procuring cause" and is the cause of arbitration/lawsuits between realtors - over who introduced you to the property and who is representing whom; the reason you need to sign-in as working with Zip (and give my phone#) when you go to an open house/sales office, alone, is so there is no confusion about who you are working with - all future communications should then be between agents only - this is for your benefit; remember, the listing agent is legally bound to represent the seller - when you send an email or call them directly, this "procuring cause" line is blurred.
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