Judy Barrett

• Manage |RSSCRS Referrals

Ilyce's (and Consumer Reports') analysis is based on a series of faulty assumptions. A CMA IS NOT COUNSELING ON PRICE: Noting that "81 percent of those sellers who paid 3 percent or less in commission said that the agent provided a comparative marketing analysis, versus 87 percent of respondents who paid at least 6 percent...." Handing a client a CMA does not constitute appropriate guidance on pricing. (Or maybe Ilyce doesn't have Sellers who intuitively "know" that theirs is the best house in the neighborhood, that those ornate switch plate covers and additional 10 sq.ft. make their home worth way more than the competition.) LISTED DOES NOT EQUAL SOLD. My best argument against the discount firms in my area is to show Sellers the stats. For example: In a recent 6 month period, Discount Guy had 2 active listings, 7 expireds, and 2 sales in my neighborhood while I had 1 pending and 6 sales. He listed a few more, but he had as many expireds as I had closed or in escrow. ALL of mine sold. PRICE DOES NOT EQUAL SERVICE: I agree with Ilyce and Consumer Reports that fee is not the determinant of service. We've probably all reduced our fees (leaving the buying side intact) in very specific circumstances without diminishing service. There are entire firms built around discounted fees. There are also MORONS and a few crooks out there with licenses, demanding high fees. So fee alone is not an indication of skill or experience. Both Ilyce and Consumer Reports seem to feel that just about any agent at just about any company can do the job, so might as well go with the cheapest. Most often, the top performers know their worth and do not discount their fees. The trick, just as with attorneys or surgeons, is finding the ones who are worth that price.