Need a Real Estate Agent

[Northwoods Voyager]

I get a kick out of others saying: 'and they get all of that money for an hours work? ' As other real estate agents/Realtors will tell you, there is no such thing as 'an hours' work. First off, ya list the property, after a sit down or walk through the woods, fields, basements that are 100 yrs. old cellars in some cases, measuring everything, doing CMAs, ya take the pictures (one of my favourite parts of the job. Love my digital camera This is all transferred to documents so that the secretary, in my office, can enter all of the info into her computer and MLS (within 24 hrs.). Flyers are printed, ads are thought up and reworded until you come up with something that you hope will catch the public's eye. From here you remember that you forgot to put up a directional/arrow sign in a certain strategic place, one that you hope the county/state transportation crew will not mow over Signs are expensive!

Now you get to make contacts with potential buyers or call other agents in you office to advise them of this great, new, correctly priced, showcase of a home in a super location just waiting for action. You plan an Open House because the seller has listened to their friends and coworkers say what great luck they had with Open Houses in the past. Even tho' ya know that in their location, Open Houses usually attract neighbors that are just curious as to how you are now decorating your castle.

So, ads go into the local papers and flyers are distributed around town to other companies, neighbors and businesses. Ya buy some candles, cookies, beverages, cups, napkins, small plates and now you are ready!!!

Did I mention that the gods of the weather need to be advised also of your plans? 'Cause if'n ya don't, believe me, it will rain, snow, whatever, on your parade. Bring a book or write up newer ads for all of your listings while ya sit and wait. I don't think it is a good idea to stand on the curb and wave flags or shout as passersby

An hour's work? No way. And this is just the beginning. I am sure that I will be barred from this forum if I dare continue. But anyone is welcome to ask for the rest of the story Sorry to ramble but it was fun...

[ilovesun]

Thank you Northwoods Voyager for saying that.

People don't realize how much time and expense there is in selling Real Estate and that only the top 1% have big fancy houses and that we only make half or so of one side of the commission.

Before I make this comparison, let me just say that I think both cops and teachers are sorely underpaid for the importance of their work but lets put things in perspective.
Say you or your significant other, being a teacher, gives tests and does other non-teaching days like videos,etc. What if the school said okay-your not actually "teaching" on those days your just sitting there while the kids do other things so we're going to cut your salary to only reflect the days your actully standing there in front of the class teaching. Now we all know that teachers still have to prepare the tests and grade the tests and do all kinds of "behind the scene" stuff for class-that wouldn't be too cool would it? It's the same thing for Real Estate Agents-people think they're paying them 1000's of dollars to "stick a sign in the yard" when it's so much more.
I guess my point is, you wouldn't like your boss cutting your pay when you deserve it-why would you want to cut other people's pay? And I understand that there are bad agents out there but please don't generalize-there are a lot of us just trying to make ends meet doing something we enjoy.

[MicahDietz]

Good thing to do is call a Title and Escrow company in your area. They have hundreads of agents. Call them and tell them exactly what you are looking for and you will get one.

[Northwoods Voyager]

Originally Posted by ilovesun

Thank you Northwoods Voyager for saying that.

People don't realize how much time and expense there is in selling Real Estate and that only the top 1% have big fancy houses and that we only make half or so of one side of the commission.

Before I make this comparison, let me just say that I think both cops and teachers are sorely underpaid for the importance of their work but lets put things in perspective.
Say you or your significant other, being a teacher, gives tests and does other non-teaching days like videos,etc. What if the school said okay-your not actually "teaching" on those days your just sitting there while the kids do other things so we're going to cut your salary to only reflect the days your actully standing there in front of the class teaching. Now we all know that teachers still have to prepare the tests and grade the tests and do all kinds of "behind the scene" stuff for class-that wouldn't be too cool would it? It's the same thing for Real Estate Agents-people think they're paying them 1000's of dollars to "stick a sign in the yard" when it's so much more.
I guess my point is, you wouldn't like your boss cutting your pay when you deserve it-why would you want to cut other people's pay? And I understand that there are bad agents out there but please don't generalize-there are a lot of us just trying to make ends meet doing something we enjoy.

You are welcome. Heard something the other day about 'eliminating the middle-man' in real estate by selling your own home. Eliminate the middle-man? I take it that the person saying this, also grows their own food stuffs and stays out of grocery stores. Sews their own clothing and does not frequent department stores. Do I dare say milk his/her cow Anyway, my point being, most every commodity involves a so called middle-man. We all provide a service that someone, somewhere requires.

[flipflopdreamer]

who EVER even uses the words greedy ... makes me cringe....

There are two people looking to help each other ... the Seller and the Buyer ... Each really should have representation. Every one wants the best price on either side. A Professional Realtor should never consider either parties greedy. Just Fair. But ... the only person telling a seller what their property is worth is the BUYER!

There is a lid for every pot in any market condition. A seller's first mistake is thinking their house is worth x amount and then they mentally tag that profit for their next adventure ... it's not real money!!!!!!!!
Each transaction has so many different facets ..... and all sould be considered !

As a Buyers agent, it is my JOB to get as much info out of the sellers agent ... or the Seller to use against them to get the best price for my buyer .. On the flip side ... when I represent a Seller ... I am aware of what a GOOD buyers agent will try and I am prepared!

Either way I earn my $$. I have sacrifaced many years on nites/weekends and vacations - only to be a darn good Realtor. I have many designations that the letters Could run off my business card!

Some people can consider me wealthy, but would you rather deal with me as your agent, than someone who does not know how to invest in RE... btw, most wealthy RE live on the water because they have made sound real estate investments and not just waited for their commissions etc ...

To the writer who has a townhouse ,, get over the fact that you have the townhouse and someone else has a big house .... you sound bitter ... maybe that agent worked darn hard ... maybe they inherited... what does it matter ... hire a professional and get the most for your property!

Go getters are going to be a better agent no matter what side of the deal you are on.

Also wanted to ask .... many people think it is the Buyer paying the commission and not the seller ... I wonder when that same buyer goes to sell, who do they think is paying the commission ... hummm

Bottom line ... you do get what you pay for ... but you also need to research your agent .... as you would any other professional .... simply put - some are better than others!

[Njrover0216]

Do you think that it is worth getting 16,000 dollars on one house sale?

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by Njrover0216

Do you think that it is worth getting 16,000 dollars on one house sale?

Nope. Unfortunately the agent you hire is only getting about 1/4 of that (after splits), and that does not take into account any expenses involved in marketing your home as well as overhead, etc.

So . . . since you live in such a "hot" condo market, need no marketing to get your condo sold, need no Internet or MLS exposure, need no input on pricing (2 choices here - price it for maximum profit or price it to more as fast as posible), need no advice about staging, etc, can show your home to buyers so that it "speaks" to those particular buyers, and you have the negotiation skills to get the highest possible price . . . why the heck do you want to hire an agent? Looks to me like selling your home yourself FSBO is what will work best for you. Either that or an MLS flat fee "limited" (no service) broker.

Sorry, but most agents have all the listings they need in this market of excessive inventory. Why would an agent's broker allow the agent to take a 3% listing (which may not even sell because the buyer's agent/broker's cut would only be 1-1/2%) when he can take any number of other listings at 5% or 6% or more?

And if you find someone to take it at 3% (1-1/2% to llisting agent and his broker and 1-1/2% to the buyer's agent and his broker), I'd worry that you had overpaid, because you generally get what you pay for when it comes to marketing and service. For the amount of marketing/service you'd get at 1-1/2%, you'd be better off going FSBO and hiring an attorney.