What should I not tell a real estate agent?

May 17, 2023

2 min read

When working with a real estate agent, it is important to be honest and transparent. However, there are some things you should not tell your real estate agent, such as:

Your maximum budget: while your agent needs to know your budget, telling them your maximum budget can limit your negotiating power and cause the agent to show you only the most expensive properties.

Your urgency: if you tell your broker that you need to buy or sell a property urgently, they may use this as leverage to pressure you into making a quick decision, which can lead to hasty or regrettable decisions.

Your personal situation: avoid telling your broker personal information, such as divorce, job loss or financial problems, as this could affect your negotiating position and put you at a disadvantage.

Negative opinions about a property: if you express negative opinions about a property, the broker may not show you similar properties or use this information to his advantage during negotiations.

Your willingness to pay more: If you are willing to pay more than the asking price, the agent may use this information to persuade the seller to increase the price, which may result in overpayment.

In summary, while it is important to be honest and transparent with your real estate agent, there are some things you should not disclose, such as your maximum budget, your urgency, your personal situation, negative opinions about a property, and your willingness to pay more. By avoiding these pitfalls, you can protect your interests and negotiate successfully.