I live in London in a flat of three, and someone wants to move out. We have someone else ready to move in. The lettings agency wish to charge £150 for swapping a person over, and £100 for admin fees. Can we dispute this, for a more reasonable fee? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 16, 2009 - 6 answers

As a writer trying to press into the next stage of my career, how can I emphasize in my publishing history that "small press" isn't always a euphemism for "vanity press"? [more inside]
posted by 256 on Nov 11, 2009 - 17 answers

You buy a house in California. You agree that the seller can stay up to 2 months after escrow closes (a "seller rent-back") if they make your (PITI) payments. Do you need to pay income taxes on the money they pay toward your PITI? Also, what was your "seller rent-back" experience? [more inside]
posted by unclezeb on Sep 29, 2009 - 9 answers

Should I maintain double spacing in an agent query email? Submission guidelines ask for the first 5 pages of my manuscript. How faithful should I be to the actual document? [more inside]
posted by bobbyno on Sep 17, 2009 - 4 answers

What to do about an Outlaw Agent? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 9, 2009 - 10 answers

I've got some doubts about our current SoCal real estate agent. At first, there didn't seem to be a problem. But recent events have made me wonder if we're wasting his time. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 8, 2009 - 15 answers

Are authors very private about who they use for a literary agent? [more inside]
posted by bodgy on Aug 7, 2009 - 11 answers

I am an agent representing a group of professional photographers and, among other things, am responsible for billing on their behalf as well as collecting and dispersing the moneys upon receipt. I just received a notice regarding a job that took place 3+ years ago informing me that, because the client filed for bankruptcy shortly after I was paid, I have been judged as having been given preferred treatment and therefore I owe the trustee handling the bankruptcy the full amount paid, nearly $10,000.00! To make matters worse the invoice in question was nothing but the photographer's expenses. In other words, the minute I received the payment I simply turned it around and paid it all to the photographer who has long since gone his own way and isn't responding to my calls or e-mails. What, if any, are my options at this point?
posted by tangyraspberry on Jul 15, 2009 - 18 answers

I'm in Real Estate Sales. I want to stand out & be different. What are some creative ways to capture that in my Agent photo? [more inside]
posted by crewshell on Jul 8, 2009 - 18 answers

You are not my lawyer filter. Can I avoid estate agent commission and fees by approaching a seller directly (in the UK)? [more inside]
posted by mjg123 on Jun 14, 2009 - 9 answers

My company (a small LLC) is in talks with a large entertainment company (very large, you have heard of them) to develop an original property of ours (internet video series). After a few rounds of offers back and forth, we have come to realize that we should really have an agent -- this is above our head, especially the intellectual property ownership aspects of the negotiation. How do we find an agent that knows and understands new media/internet video, ideally in Manhattan? Will the fact that we're already in talks with a company (with actual money on the table) help us get someone? Thanks! (Email me at metafilterquestion@live.com if you have advice but want to stay private.)
posted by anonymous on Jun 8, 2009 - 8 answers

I'm an aspiring screenwriter and I need help finding an agent or manager. Askme, please help! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 14, 2009 - 6 answers

We've been working with a real estate agent to buy a house. This agent has just listed a house we like. What do we do if we want to make an offer on the house? [more inside]
posted by j on May 3, 2009 - 4 answers

P/T rookie real estate agent in NYC: is 25% of 3% fair? [more inside]
posted by aquafortis on Mar 15, 2009 - 10 answers

Two people traveling, want to travel together, one needs to return on a different day. How to do so? Online? Phone? [more inside]
posted by Towelie on Mar 12, 2009 - 4 answers

How do I find an independent insurance agent? [more inside]
posted by Pocahontas on Mar 6, 2009 - 2 answers

We're considering purchasing a home by ourselves, without using a buyer's agent. General pros/cons? And if it's possible to save on commissions by doing this, how should we introduce that idea into the process? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph on Feb 18, 2009 - 19 answers

Looking for the best resources for learning about agent-based modeling and social science simulation. [more inside]
posted by proj on Feb 10, 2009 - 2 answers

I am writing a fictional story about someone who lives in the slums of some small South American country. When he was ten, during a fever, an angel appeared to him and told him that he would become an FBI Agent. He may have seen a movie with FBI agents, so he has some sense of what that means. Step by step, what does he have to do to fulfill that prophecy in a real way? [more inside]
posted by Sully on Feb 8, 2009 - 11 answers

What's a fair rate to charge for booking events for Yoga/Meditation training? [more inside]
posted by Mr. Gunn on Jan 28, 2009 - 2 answers

Starting a small Travel Agency Business [more inside]
posted by thelloydshow on Dec 7, 2008 - 5 answers

My wife and I are looking at writing a US based (lower 48) travel guide and would like any tips possible regarding getting one published, and how to make it actually happen. [more inside]
posted by arniec on Oct 30, 2008 - 3 answers

Where can I find an Australian migration agent who's good with the creative industries, or otherwise unusual career paths? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Oct 3, 2008 - 1 answer

Is there a way to find out the real estate agent who sold a property? [more inside]
posted by lemonade on Aug 25, 2008 - 4 answers

Let's pretend I am not too far away from completing a feature-length screenplay on spec. I live far from LA with no connections to Hollywood, and I've got very little money squared away. Once the script itself is done, how would I most effectively pimp out my product to a studio? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 25, 2008 - 15 answers

Do agents for Lighting Designers exist, and where do I look to find one? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 1, 2008 - 2 answers

Can you recommend a literary agent or attorney? I'm in the US. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 13, 2008 - 4 answers

I have a curbside mailbox and mail theft is common in Utah (http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,600129714,00.html). Big Credit Card Company (BCCC) sends me convenience checks that can be stolen and cashed by anybody. The post office won’t let me move my mailbox to my house. Local politicians sided with the Postmaster. A rental box or a new security mailbox are impractical. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind on May 11, 2008 - 11 answers

An agent is interested in my book but says that they only have an "optional" contract- authors can sign it or not, given their preference. Should I give them my book? [more inside]
posted by arnicae on Apr 13, 2008 - 15 answers

How do I find a list of publicists for stars of the theatrical stage or screen? Basically, I can be a hero if I can find celebrities currently in London, England recognizable to a Canadian audience. We need to hire them for a charming bit on our show... but the ones on our short list have not turned out. Therefore, I am now looking to get in touch with an appropriate publicist who has LOTS of clients and who can make suggestions as to who we should use, and then give them to us. [more inside]
posted by Elle Vator on Jan 23, 2008 - 5 answers

After watching BBC Horizon last night (a copy of the Prof. Hebb sensory depreivation experiments of the 60’s) a past thought came back to me. I am fascinated by double (and in the case of Agent Zigzag triple) agents – Philby, Burgess, Ames, Gordievsky…the list goes on and on. I recall reading George Blakes book ‘no other choice’ and remember being profoundly struck by the both psychological and physical torture he received for a period of three years during his captivity in Korea [more inside]
posted by numberstation on Jan 23, 2008 - 1 answer

Question for pro screenwriters...since the strike is on right now, would this be an abnormally good time, or an abnormally bad time, to try to get an agent? [more inside]
posted by Ziggurat on Jan 14, 2008 - 19 answers

Can someone who knows about Ontario real estate listing agreements help a homebuying n00b? [more inside]
posted by liquado on Oct 28, 2007 - 4 answers

The real estate broker for our condo is a jackass...do we have any recourse? [more inside]
posted by frosty_hut on Sep 29, 2007 - 21 answers

How do you acquire a good literary agent? [more inside]
posted by plexi on Sep 13, 2007 - 5 answers

Looking for agent of Peter Davis, made Vietnam documentary "Hearts and Minds" in the 70s. [more inside]
posted by priorpark17 on Jun 28, 2007 - 7 answers

Please help me figure out if I need a buyer's agent. [more inside]
posted by MeetMegan on Jun 1, 2007 - 9 answers

FSBO or Agent? Need to sell fairly quickly. [more inside]
posted by mjger on May 31, 2007 - 8 answers

Should I sue or should I just eat it? [more inside]
posted by electroboy on Apr 19, 2007 - 8 answers

Is there a definitive resource on the web for finding literary agents who represent science fiction and fantasy? [more inside]
posted by JWright on Apr 6, 2007 - 13 answers

What should I put in my spy kit? [more inside]
posted by Astro Zombie on Feb 17, 2007 - 49 answers

Can you recommend a great real estate agent for wannabe flippers in Northern Virginia and DC? [more inside]
posted by gregoryc on Feb 16, 2007 - 8 answers

Hi, All, Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated..What type of jobs would I be qualified for? For the last 8 years I've worked as a talent agent (representing actors, models, voiceover talent for commercial projects) and seek a job/career move into a different area/field. Side note: My prior experience is in the music business (primarily as a lyricist/songwriter/musician). [more inside]
posted by bydar on Feb 15, 2007 - 13 answers

Help me find a good travel agent. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area, and would love to find someone local, but I'm also open to other options. [more inside]
posted by purplefiber on Feb 11, 2007 - 3 answers

What does it take to become a travel agent? Do you have to be a licensed travel agent to make plans for people or can anybody do it? [more inside]
posted by philsi on Feb 9, 2007 - 6 answers

Please help my wife weigh her options and possibly find someone to help her career as a classical pianist continue to progress. [more inside]
posted by sleevener on Jan 25, 2007 - 6 answers

Once I've made my sci-fi novel available via Lulu.com, will it still be viable to shop around to agents and editors for potential mass-market publication? Are there factors that influence it? For example, if it sells a lot, is it considered a good buy by a publisher, or has it basically had its first run?
posted by JWright on Dec 8, 2006 - 9 answers

How can I find the agent of a particular author? [more inside]
posted by Bookhouse on Nov 28, 2006 - 5 answers

Help me get into William Morris' agent trainee program. [more inside]
posted by JPowers on Oct 31, 2006 - 19 answers

Is a real estate agent really worth hiring for finding a rental in San Francisco? [more inside]
posted by FlamingBore on Sep 14, 2006 - 14 answers