Wow, now that is a part of the argument I never considered. I’ve always maintained that the garden variety arguments against this were sufficient (specialization of expertise, checks and balances) but Art brings a really good point to the discussion

You do bring up a point about two unrelated transactions. IF the Realtor had extensive training and knowledge in both I think that would be an excellent advantage. However, I think you would have to look long and hard to find someone who could be truly called an expert in both fields.

I don’t know if anyone should really double-up on the process and did a blog on ActiveRain about it (insert self-promotion here). In adition to my AR comments, I see the laws governing both transactions - Mortgage Lending and Real Estate Sales - are almost polar opposites of each other. The idea that the Listing Agent could get full financial disclosure from the Buyer to do aid in the purchase leaves me unsettled in its multiple temptations.

Now two unrelated transactions - that could be a different story. I sat in a realtor’s office today as he began to help our mutual out-of town client. The agent is incredibly knowledgable about mortgages, but really know a pittance of what I do, which surprised me. But what I found to be equally eye-opening, was watching him put together a program for the client - I saw how litle I knew about his job and - more importantly - how to do it extremely well. I was impressed.

One question - what if you as a Realtor lose your mortgage to a lender with a lower rate, do you lose the RE transaction as well? And what if the lower rate was offered by ANOTHER Realtor slash Mortgage Originator? It could get ugly, ugly, ugly as the competion heats up.