I am not a broker, just an agent, but I know what I see. It seems most brokers are not doing their jobs, and agents all over the country are starting to hurt because of it. As the market is slowing many agents are changing brokerages, unhappy over little things, but not able to put their finger on the problem. Perhaps you could get a clue from this.
Here is a simple test to evaluate broker performance.
Consider this scenario:
Agent A goes on a listing appointment and
A comprehensive CMA shows homes similar to the one being in consideration have sold for around $200,000 in the last three months.
The owner owns the home free and clear, or has a mortgage of less than $100,000 on the home.
Considering the declining market (similar homes sold for about $230,000 six months ago) the agent suggests a price of $195,000 and the home is listed for that amount.
60 days later the house sells for $185,000. Everyone gets paid and is happy and life goes on.
Second scenario:
Similar home, similar value.
Owner also owns home free and clear, or less than $100,000.
Agent B does a CMA and notes that the yes the recent solds came in at around $200,000, but there are 20 homes on the market and the average selling price six months ago was $230,000 and the average price of homes listed now is $240,000. Since $240,000, is the average of the competition, Agent B suggests a list price "just a little below the competition" of $235,000.
After 3 months of no showings or offers the listing expires.
Third scenario:
Similar home similar value.
Owners owe a total of $210,000 on the home, and want to clear $20,000 cash from the sale.
Agent C did not do a CMA, but, it is a nice clean house, and besides the math is easy, $210,000 for mortgage, $20,000 for the seller, $20,000 for commission and seller closing costs, and "lets add another $15,000 for negotiating room" the property is listed for $265,000.
Needless to say the listing expires with no offers, no showings and sellers who feel the agent did not do enough to get the home sold.
OK here is the test.
Who is responsible for the listings of agent B and agent C not selling.
The agents - they did not advertise enough and do enough open houses
- The market - the agents have no control over the market.
- The competition.
- The Broker.
Let me give you a clue - who "owns" the listings under state law?
Get it now? The problem is the broker. The broker is the one who owns the listings. The problem is that the only time brokers take ownership over their listings is when an agent changes offices. "Listen Agent C, I know you are not happy here, but don't think you are going to take your listings with you, remember, under state law I own the listings."
In our market here in Ocala, Marion County, FL this morning there were 7376 active house listings. At current absorption rates, that is over 22 months of inventory if no new listings are taken. For every closed sale there are over three listings that expire. Basic laws supply and demand says this is because prices are too high . . . way too high.
The fact is that most brokers do not care about the financial devastation their agents are experiencing due to wasted advertising dollars. Since in this day and age most agents pay their own advertising, the brokers have little concern. Cost containment is not an issue, because if someone else is paying the bill you have little incentive to manage costs.
Food for thought for brokers: