what is real estate?

[Smucky]

Shower thought time.

And like really, what is a realtor? Do we really just make laws that say if you want to buy or sell a house you have to go through this person called a realtor and pay them a percentage of the overall price? Is that even necessary? When it comes to like software programming and software development you can just do whatever you want there's no protection or anything from any kind of laws or government that says anything. Companies can just send everything overseas and screw the whole economy?

I mean the fact you have to go through a realtor, means that there's this entire industry that was created around a given law?

[NinjaPoodle]

In some countries in Europe, in addition to a real estate agent, you must also involve a lawyer. I think it is necessary because without it it would be the wild west with hustlers.

[Smucky]

[Smucky]

Buyer: I found a house on Zillow I want.

Realtor: Awesome! I’ll contact the listing agent.

Buyer: Can I just text the seller?

Realtor: Absolutely not.

Buyer: Why?

Realtor: First I’ll email the listing agent, who will email the seller, who will think about replying maybe tomorrow.

Buyer: Can I just call the listing agent?

Realtor: That’s not allowed.

Buyer: Let me know when I can see the house.

2 WEEKS LATER

Realtor: We can go see it now! They already have 47 offers so we’ll need to be aggressive here.

Buyer: Okay, let’s go see it…

AT THE SHOWING

Listing Agent: It has a nice open floor plan!

Buyer: I can see that. Can I just speak to the seller?

Listing Agent: No. Have your realtor write an offer that we won’t accept and send it to me.

Buyer: This feels like middle school passing notes.

Listing Agent: But with commissions!