So we’re looking for a house in SoCal, but in the High Desert. The market had a boom there for Airbnb properties a few years ago. And now COVID has certainly increased the demand out there for 2nd homes to get away from the cities. This is our first time buying a home.

We engaged with an experienced agent out there in the late Spring. We knew this would be a long process but my paranoia makes me think he’s got clients on his list that he needs to take care of first before us. There has not been a house that popped on the market that we liked until this week. He’s actually the listing agent as well.

We jump on it. We say we want to start the offer process. They’re not reviewing offers until Monday, so he’s saying he’ll call us Sunday and he can help us put in a good offer or tell us ‘sorry’ if someone has all cash. There’s already 2 offers.

He started talking about how houses are getting appraised for less than the prices these days and people have to cover the difference. And just kind of made it sound like he thought this house was not worth what the bidding war will be. And I really appreciate that advice. But to me, if we don’t just bite the bullet now, shit will be even more expensive in 2 months when COVID shuts everything down again!

He also started talking about “Shadow Inventory” and how after the election who knows what could happen and banks will release all these foreclosures and prices will go down. But I... don’t want to wait until January... Nor do I necessarily agree that that will happen in a market like SoCal.

So anyway, I know I should’ve asked him this before. But is it possible he has other clients just like me and he’s gotta ‘keep us warm’ until it’s our turn? He’s sent us a couple listings that haven’t hit the market. So why the hell did he not tell us about this house that we want to put an offer on and HE’S the listing agent on? Would it be too aggressive of me to ask if one of his other clients wants to buy this house? Am I being crazy? Is this just how the game is played and we have to wait our turn?