Licensed real estate agent since 1982. Sold more than $1.5 Billion Dollars worth of homes in over 5000 closed transactions. Licensed in California and specializing in San Diego County. Representing both buyers and sellers.
The article should have been named "how to sell your home for more money". There is only ONE reason at home doesn't sell and that is PRICE. Price will over come accessability, condition, location and marketing. If it is priced low enough agnets and buyers will jump through hoops to see the property, condition becomes secondary to price, location becomes moot at the right price and even the most inept agent's (oops are there inept agents?) marketing plan will not matter if the home is priced low enough. Now should you want more money for your home then the remasining four issue become a factor. Well written, just poorly titled. Gregg Neuman
Having been in the business for 28 years and having sold over 5,000 homes for more than 1.5 billion dollars, I love watching and reading the attacks on commissions and real estate agents. I believe that if you want to make more money in real estate, try the following: 1. Sell more homes. 2. Move out of Milwaukee and move someplace where the housing prices are higher (probably the weather is better too), they usually go together. 3. Develop relationship with a more successful clientele who may own more expensive homes. 4. Increase the commission you charge by proving to the clients the difference in your level of service and greater chances for success you offer them in the sale of their home. Having experienced many buyer and seller markets over the years I have watched many discount brokers come and go, the most recent being: "Help you sell" "I pay one", "redfin" etc., locally referred to as "hope you sell", "I pay none" (since it didn't sell anyway) and "a fair price for part of a fish". In this market particularly; there is a strong demand for good, knowledgeable, successful agents. Sellers, whom we all at least agree pay the commissions; see the need for the services of professionals. The sellers are willing to employ someone who will spend the monies necessary to properly expose the property to the marketplace, attract a buyer, negotiate the offer, and guide the seller and frequently the buyer's agent through the minefield of escrow and loan processing to a successful closing. The internet based models may eventually replace the agent, but they are still a long way from even remotely providing the counseling and services that an experienced, caring and professional agent brings to the client, buyer or seller. Today's sites like "Zillow" are dramatically inaccurate in evaluating homes since nowhere are views, condition, schools and all the intangibles that go into pricing even considered. In fact, if they were of any real value at all banks, mortgage brokers and other lenders would quickly dump appraisers use those services and refund that fee to the clients. HA HA, sorry I made myself laugh. To those of you who feel threatened by the “coming death of the six percent commission”, I say have no fear! Yes our market will continue to change and the changes will be dramatic. Just as the changes from MLS books to computers, the use of cell phones, pagers, pocket calculators, fax machines, printers, copiers, scanners, digital cameras and the development of virtual tours, email, GPS navigation, electronic lock boxes, internet sites, and Blogs were all changes and yet somehow most of us continue to muddle through. Wow, that is a lot of changes, Damn, I am geting old!
Regard the above article I was thinking I should respond and when I reached the bottom I noted I was mentioned as a user. Well, first I an not a techie, but I have found Visistat to be invalueable in my business. It lets me know almost instantly what works and what doesn't. The charts, maps and grafts work extremely well. When someone wants to know how my internet advertsing works I can immediately show them not only the hits I receive, but where they come from, when they come in, key words etc. The graphics from this site has enabled me to stop using the local newspaper which used to cost $25,000 to $40,000 per month and concentrate on the internet almost exclusively with absolutely no complaints from sellers. With 80%+ buyers in our marketplace starting their searches online why use print if not necessary? My sellers love it too. Thanks Visitat!
