Your observations of top producers

[oh come on!]

I often wonder how the top producers around here keep scoring multimillion dollar homes back to back.

Do top producers do a better overall job than everyone else? or do customers request them because they have seen their names associated with other high value homes? or is it just pure luck of the draw usually?
Is it even possible to generalize? One of these days, I'm going to observe some firsthand, if they even work from the brokers office.


My area is kind of unique, where new/newer McMansions are being sold, going for $2-$4 million each. Most are being bought by Chinese buyers, paid in cash. The homes pretty much sell themselves, and all the agent has to do is open the door it seems. Life is good for these agents. Top dollar, top commissions, and I don't see much marketing other than the sign post in the front yard and typical web listing.

For all other agents trying to score, it's like the lottery. They have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than landing a million dollar listing, and we have a ton of million dollar homes here.

[Joe Van Fossen]

Originally Posted by oh come on!

I often wonder how the top producers around here keep scoring multimillion dollar homes back to back.

Do top producers do a better overall job than everyone else? or do customers request them because they have seen their names associated with other high value homes? or is it just pure luck of the draw usually?
Is it even possible to generalize?

It's tough to generalize. Some top producers in my area list a ton of homes, but they don't necessarily take the best pictures or write the best descriptions. Sometimes they price homes wrong and they sit on the market for months before doing price reductions and eventually selling. What makes them a top producer is putting their name out EVERYWHERE--bus stops, local publications, etc. They knock doors and make phone calls. They're great lead generators.

The agents scoring the million dollar listings back to back are probably well established in the neighborhood. It's all about reputation and referrals. A lot of times these agents grew up in these neighborhoods. They may come from money, their parents are friends, etc. For new agents, getting a million dollar listing is going to require a bit of hard work and luck. If you want to start off your business by selling million dollar listings you may want to try to find an opening on a successful, established team. If you're going off on your own, keep in mind the costs of marketing luxury homes. You can't just throw a multi-million dollar listing up on the internet and hope someone bites.

These kind of listings can really come from anywhere. I helped a foreign buyer get into a $350K condo and I have a $2M listing lead in my area from them. I have multi-million dollar buyer leads from another buyer who bought a $500K townhome. I try not to focus too extensively on one type of property or price range. The more people you do a good job for, the more business you'll have in the long run.

[DaveinMtAiry]

OK I'm not an agent so forgive my ignorance. What exactly do you mean by escrow failures?

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by DaveinMtAiry

OK I'm not an agent so forgive my ignorance. What exactly do you mean by escrow failures?

Terminated contracts.