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I went and gave a couple of real estate agents my card so that I can drum up some repair work to get through some slow times around here. I figured they know people who are getting ready to sell their house and they might need some repairs done before it goes on the market. Well a couple of people I sometimes do work with said that doing work for real estate agents is not real good. That they often don’t want to pay any real money and bla bla bla (I can’t remember what else they said because I quit listening). My question is, has anyone out there done any work for a real estate agent and had a hard time with them or could this be a good way to get some work.
Thanks in advance for your replies……….
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Dean- Most of the jobs I've done for agents I know were small. Fence repairs,dry rot repairs,door and window repairs.One or two day labor and material type jobs.
The agents are always greatful and pay as soon as I'm finished.
It helps them close their sale.
I met one guy at a deck material seminar that makes a good living working strictly with agents.
Don't be discouraged by yahoos that don't really know what's up.
Go for it!
Bob
*DeanI've heard rumors that people say bad things about construction workers, imagine that!!!There's good ones, and bad ones, you just have to judge them or check their reputations.If they're good they'll know, and be known, by the right people, and have lot's of quality work for you.Good luckTerry
*Pantango, I do work for a few agents in my area. I charge my usual rate ($40 Hr) and do my usual quality work and have a good relationship with them. The jobs are generally small, not to interesting but they pay promptly. Usually as Pro Deck said they need something done promptly to close a deal and are grateful to get it done. In turn they refer me to a number of folks. One recent occurance has been repossesions. One of the realtors handles them for a number of banks. I rekey, winterized and board up windows on them. Again normal rate. Nice fill in work on a slow day. DanT
*Some real estate folks are also property managers, too. Check out that avenue because active rentals are always needing repairs.I have a friend who lives in Texas but owns a half dozen properties here in Jacksonville. I always get first dibs on anything his property manager needs done.
*My wifes a top agent here on Long Island and I've had the best access to working for agents and I have done that in the past. Especially when there were all those forclosures a half a dozen years back and made fantastic money. The thing is, what you'll get are small repair type gigs but you have to realize that after the new buyers move in, theres a better then good chance you'll get the big jobs that the new homeowners always want done down the road so its definatly an avenue worth persuing in the long haul. Certainly can't hurt now can it?
*It depends on WHY the agent needs the repairs done.I have found that when an inspector comes in and finds a problem, the Real Estate agent hires me (and people like me) to repair the problem CORRECTLY, and PROMPTLY. They pay fast, and are grateful for the speed and professionalism of the work.If the buyer finds a problem, then the agent usually wants the job done very cheaply, and very fast. They call a handyman type, and give them a hard time.A case in point is a home next door to one I recently worked on. Buyer noticed the paint was peeling pretty bad all over the back side of the house, so they wanted the house painted, or a LOT of money knocked off the price to get it painted themselves. They knew that a quality paint job was expensive. Agent came over to me (working next door) and asked if I could paint the house for $400.00. I wanted to laugh out loud, but politely told her that it would not be possible. Next day, a handyman type showed up, and started spraying the house with blue paint. No cleaning, no prepping, no nothing. He used a Wagner hand held sprayer that plugged into an extension cord. He sprayed one coat of blue paint in about 2 hours. Then he left. Late that afternoon, the agent and him were back at the place, and he was wanting his money. The agent kept telling him he needed to spray at least one more coat, and do some brush work. He told her that was all she gets for $250.00. I don't know if he ever got paid or not. The new buyer passed on the sale because of all of this, and the homeowner paid a professional painting contractor to come and paint the house right. House is still for sale, but I understand it has a new contract on it, and it looks good. Great curb appeal now.So it depends on the situation, and the agent's frame of mind when they call you. It can be a great source of money for slow times, or it can be a nightmare. Be sure to know the difference when you start asking about the jobs.James DuHamel
*James,As usual you are pretty much on target. Most realtors I have come across who are looking to have work done in the course of buying and selling are not willing to pay for quality work. They are primarily interested in listing properties.A competent, established construction company would have little interest in having a relationship with realtors, I would think. At least for fix-up type work. I know I don't. I like to work for Homeowners, as opposed to sellers or buyers. As far as realtors go, I'm only mildly annoyed sharing a planet with a couple of them.I did have a realtor a few years ago who gave me some work, but he asked me to do an emergency repair on the front door to his house (marriage going sour) and it got weird after that.
*I have done tons of work for a particular Realator. He has several rentals as well. A guy I was working with "did me a favor" and told him I was 10 bucks an hour! My buddy pal forgot it was a friend thing for him and not real $$$$$ (we had some trading involved as well). So I did a fill in job (I was just starting out, and 10 per hour is considered good around here). WTF?? After that job I refused to work hourly. I just went from hourly to bid pricing and get my price form him now. I try to be above $35 an hour on average. I find that people flinch at a certain hourly but feel good on a bid price. This guy is a good connection for me (psst, I get an MLS book from him). He will jump at my skills since I am willing to do "little" jobs. As for today,Sunday, I hung 2 screens on one of his rentals in a short time and scored some good coin. I will prob get the repaint on it as well. Realators are good people, you just got to get them up to speed on pricing!