Comments on: You Get What You Pay For — Or Do You?

By: Real estate links and how to enact a Hollywood Western . . . | BloodhoundBlog | There's always something to howl about...

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 05:15:30 +0000

[...] Geri Sonkin at All About Long Island has thoughts on discounting. My preliminary conclusion is still that buyers don’t care very much, but I’m still playing with the idea. Three of the houses I have closing in December I would not have had without the flat fee buyer’s agent’s commission, so that’s a counter-argument. [...]

By: Trevor Smith

Trevor Smith — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 05:45:42 +0000

I hear what you’re saying. One of my co-bloggers at Blue Collar Agents had bullet holes fired into one of his yard signs. Check it out:

http://bluecollaragents.com/wordpress/?p=20

Thanks for your open mindedness and encouragement! There is room for all of us. Best of luck to you too!

By: geri806

geri806 — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 05:36:32 +0000

Trevor,

I consider myself lucky. I’ve never feared modalities other than my own. There’s room for all of us. I remember a time not so many years ago when Foxton’s came to New York and many of my peers were bad mouthing them, sometimes going as far as moving their signs — a childish gesture to voice their displeasure.

I also sat on a leadership committee when IDX finally came to New York. I’d waited, sometimes impatiently, for Long Island to catch up with the rest of the country. When the top people in the company at the time proudly announced that they’d opted out, I sat there in disbelief, shaking my head at their ignorance. That was one of the reasons I left them. It took years for them to “get it.”

One of the things I’ve learned in my 20 years in this business is that change is inevitable. Adapt or die.

I wish you continued good luck with your business.

By: Trevor Smith

Trevor Smith — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 04:35:57 +0000

Perhaps, some discount agents cut service when they cut commissions. However, I am not one of them, and I know alot of others who are doing a stellar job. How do we make it then? Volume. People want a more reasonable commission and we are providing it. I list for a flat 4% commission, and I have never gone to a listing appointment and not gotten the listing. This isn’t to brag, but its to say that to consumers, saving $5000 -$15000 for the same services is a no brainer.

I think many traditional agents are scared of discounters and have resorted to name calling in order to protect their territory. For instance, these guys:

http://www.brokeragentnews.com/news/residential/2006_11/11_28_2006_yt_1164777415.html

Your blog post is much more thought out and balanced, which is appreciated.

BTW: I like Greg Swann too. He’s an Arizona Real Estate Cowboy… Good to have around!