selling real estate: Why You Should Thank the Next Person That Compares You to a Used Car Salesman - 12/09/09 12:26 AM
I was wondering what would happen if used car salesmen were called Wheeltors, and real estate agents were called "used house salesmen"?
Do you think that Wheeltors would stand around at the car dealership wondering why people would lump them in the same sleazy category as some "used house salesman"?
After abandoning my real estate career to join the family business I figured this out: The reason I was (accidentally) so good at selling cars was because I had been a Realtor BEFORE my husband got the crazy idea to buy a car business.
Go ahead. SQUIRM.
I know you don't like thinking that … (17 comments)

selling real estate: Seriously. Does Anyone Really Want to Look at Your Picture While They Decide Between Cheerios and Raisin Bran? - 08/14/09 06:01 AM
Question: Why would anyone want to advertise by putting their picture on a grocery cart? At least in my neck of the woods, no grocery cart is complete without a real estate agent on it.
Is there some association with buying a couple of pork chops for dinner and looking at the smiling mug of a real estate agent? And if there is, can it possibly be a GOOD association?
Will I refer this agent to my best friend (who is in the market for a house) just because they are staring at me while I decide which cereal to buy?
… (19 comments)

selling real estate: What We Don't Want to Admit: Teenagers Have Sex, And FSBO's Need Realtors - 07/07/09 10:15 PM
Okay, I know as real estate agents the last thing you want to do is ENCOURAGE FSBO's (or encourage a fee that is less than your standard commission).
So even if there ARE ways to pay a real estate agent in a FSBO transaction, you wouldn't want to blab about it. "Hey, Mr. Seller, why don't you try to sell it yourself for a little while and call me if you get a live one?"
It might encourage MORE people to sell their own house without a Realtor.
But isn't that a little like not giving out condoms to teenagers because … (88 comments)

selling real estate: 10 Lame Excuses to Cut Your Commission (And Why That Makes You a Lousy Salesperson) - 06/20/09 11:53 PM

Is a real estate commission just a slush fund to benefit clients? Some people think so.
There it sits, a whole lot of money, and everyone pretty much knows how much.
They know how badly you want to get the deal closed. They know this money only comes to you once the deal is closed. Can they resist asking demanding blackmailing negotiating for some of your money?
Sometimes, they can't.
But instead of negotiating with the client, how often do you negotiate with yourself when you are asked to CUT your commission?
 What was going on in your mind the last time you cut your commission? … (117 comments)