Had an agent once who got weirdly offended when I asked about the roof age—like, sorry for caring about leaks? I mean, if I’m trusting you with my life savings, can you handle a tough question or two? Good vibes don’t pay the mortgage...
- Totally get this. I asked about the age of the furnace once and the agent acted like I’d insulted their grandma.
- If they can’t handle basic questions, how are they gonna negotiate when things get tough?
- I want someone who’s cool with me being a little paranoid—because, yeah, it’s my money on the line.
- “Good vibes” are nice, but I’d rather have a roof that doesn’t leak in January.
- Maybe I’m picky, but I’d rather be annoying now than broke later...
“Good vibes” are nice, but I’d rather have a roof that doesn’t leak in January.
Couldn’t agree more—“good vibes” don’t pay for repairs. I’ve had agents get weird when I start asking about the age of the roof or the electrical panel, too. If they can’t answer straight or get defensive, that’s a red flag for me.
Curious—do you guys ever ask for references from past clients? I’ve found that talking to someone who’s worked with them before tells you way more than any sales pitch.
References are a must for me. If an agent can’t cough up a couple of past clients who’ll vouch for them, I’m out. I’ve actually had one get kind of cagey when I asked—started talking in circles about “privacy” and how busy everyone is. Meanwhile, the next agent I tried handed over three names, and two of those folks were happy to chat. That told me everything I needed to know.
I get that some people think it’s awkward or pushy to ask for references, but honestly, you’re about to trust this person with a massive financial decision. You’d check reviews for a $30 toaster—why not do the same for someone guiding you through a six-figure purchase? And yeah, “good vibes” are great until you’re staring at a $10k roof bill because nobody bothered to check the basics.
I also pay attention to how they handle tough questions. If they start dodging or acting like you’re being difficult, that’s a sign they’re either hiding something or just don’t know their stuff. Either way, not someone I want negotiating on my behalf.
One thing I’ll add—sometimes agents will give you their “best” clients as references, so I try to dig around online too. Google reviews, local Facebook groups, even just searching their name with “complaints” or “scam”—you’d be surprised what comes up.
Bottom line: I’m not interested in anyone who’s more focused on selling me a dream than making sure the house won’t fall apart in six months. Give me facts, give me references, and don’t get weird when I ask about the plumbing. That’s all I want.
Couldn’t agree more about needing more than just “good vibes” before handing over the keys to your financial future. I mean, if I’m gonna trust someone with the biggest purchase of my life, I want more than a firm handshake and a business card with a cheesy headshot. The “privacy” excuse always cracks me up—like, are their past clients in witness protection or something?
And yeah, you nailed it with the $30 toaster review comparison. I once spent an hour reading Amazon reviews for a blender, but somehow people think it’s too much to ask for references on a six-figure deal? Wild.
I also love that you check Google and Facebook groups. Honestly, half the time you find the real dirt in those random neighborhood threads. If an agent can’t handle a tough question about plumbing or roof age, what happens when it’s time to negotiate the inspection? I’d rather be “difficult” now than “devastated” later.
Stick to your gut. If they get weird about basics, it’s probably not you—it’s them.
