Updated: Ranking the Realtors

I've been wondering which island real estate firm is the biggest, in terms of the number of residential properties its agents have listed on the Multiple Listing Service.

I went to the Web sites of about a dozen island firms to find which firms had how many listings. Of the 115 properties listed for sale, brokers' Web sites identified 110 of them as their's.

• Holiday Homes 30
• American Paradise 26
• Islandia Real Estate 21
• Cruz Bay Realty 13
• John McCann & Assoc. 7
• Remax Island Paradise 6
• Town & Country 5
• St. John Properties 1
• Reggie's Real Estate Group 1

This is useful information if you're interested in a particular house.  If you're being shown houses by a firm which also listed the property, well - you need to be aware of that possible conflict. Looking at a real estate firm's own Web site can make you a more savvy shopper.

(Updated 10/17 to include John McCann & Assoc.) and Reggie's Real Estate Group.)

Comments

[Ruth]

All the real estate agents I've worked with on St. John have unquestionably represented the seller. I'm not sure that I understand where the conflict would lie in the scenario you have presented.
-Ruth

[Frank Barnako]

Ruth:

In every transaction there is a seller ... and a buyer, who needs representation, too.

There are no "Buyer's Agents" on St. John.

My thought is that if you are dealing on a property with a broker who represents both you and the seller, there's an obvious conflict. The broker is being paid by both parties - so, whose interests are being best being pursued?

[Scott B]

Anyone purchasing property on STJ can view the Multi-Listing before going out in the field with their agent. I found my property and my realtor facilitated the transaction. Sometimes we don't appreciate the agent enough...they work for nothing 98% of the time.

[allan]

Scott, not sure what you mean by them working for nothing 98pct of the time. Not the ones I know. Are you a real estate agent?

[adam]

I have to say that i use Had what i consider a buyers agent in Hilarie from American Paridise, she should me probably 20 to 30 propertys and houses over a 2 or 3 year period before i bought something,, and i found here knowledge of everything St John fantastic,, Adam Ellis

[Budd]

Frank,
Don't forget John McCann
http://www.realestateonstjohn.com/homes.html
He currently has seven listings not including condos. John does a great job for his clients.

[Frank Barnako]

My apologies. I did forget John ... his Web site is http://www.realestateonstjohn.com.

Frank

[Sandy , Reggie and Sharon]

Frank, dont forget Reggies Real Estate Group, Inc. there is lots of great information on web page on Agency type, how to buy a home, etc.

www.stjohnrealty.net
340-776-8365

[JA]

As a Realtor (not on STJ), I don't think one can say for sure whether it is better to work with a Realtor that doesn't have the listing or only the listing Realtor when buying a property. I've seen the listing Realtor work really hard for the Buyer, to put together the transaction at a lower price, when the Realtor stands to earn both sides of the commission instead of splitting it with another Realtor. On the flip side, I've seen listing Realtors take advantage of Buyers who aren't working with a different Realtor. I think the best strategy is to choose a Realtor you're comfortable with and stick with that person. When representing both Buyer and Seller in a sale (dual agency) Realtors are supposed to remain neutral-doesn't always happen though.

[justsomereader]

Hmmm,

It's interesting how "Realtors" present themselves to the market, and often suggest to buyers that they should ignore the fact that the Realtor represents the SELLER's interests - often to the financial detriment of the buyer.

A real estate agent is working for the SELLER - always. Everything they do is designed and geared toward ensuring that the SELLER is benefitted, even at the expense of the buyer. That's why the SELLER hires the Realtor. Buyers do not hire Realtors.

There's a sucker born every day, according to PT Barnum. And that first commenter proves that he's learned this maxim well.