I am often asked by new clients whether I can show them any home that is for sale or if they should call the person that has their name on the sign.  The answer is:  As a member of the Southwest Iowa Association of Realtors and Omaha Area Association of Realtors, I am able to show any home that is listed by a member of either of these groups.  I simply need to make a call and set up an appointment as a professional courtesy.

Most real estate brokerage firms are members of their local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) which enables them to show other firms listings on a cooperative basis.  It also gives the member access to all the information about the listing, property disclosures, etc.   As a member, there is a general agreement on how the commission payment will be split between listing agent’s offices and selling agent’s offices.  The MLS is in place to ensure fair and professional real estate practices and to ease in the distribution of information for properties.  The CLIENT, whether buyer or seller, has the right to determine who will work for them.  Build a relationship with an agent you can trust and feel comfortable with and be loyal to them. 

Not all agents in the Omaha Metro area are licensed to sell real estate in both Iowa and Nebraska.  I have chosen to be licensed in both states to better serve my clients since the communities are split only by a river.  If you are working with an agent in Nebraska and want to look at Iowa properties but your agent isn’t licensed in Iowa, ask them to refer you to me for Iowa showings.  My goal is to work with clients so they live where they choose.

Real esate professionals respect the relationships that we have with our clients and will therefore actually appreciate if you are working with an agent that you call them for all showings.  Otherwise, you are calling the agent and they do the work only to have you go to another agent to write the offer.