My team and I have always been listing agents. We are marketing agents for those sellers/builders, and I spend a considerable amount of money each and every month in order to make the phone ring to accomplish two objectives. The first goal is to ensure that our inventory does sell. I market our supply of homes to make the phone ring with buyer calls. That's my job.....to market. The second goal is to maintain a consistent supply of listings and to make sure our inventory is replenished, as each home sells.
We disclose to every buyer we meet with that we are sellers' agents. The listings are ours to market, and we will gladly co-operate with a buyers' agent if they would like to use one. Full disclosure at all times from the first meeting is a standard practice for my team members. Representing a seller is not a license to lie, and the buyer is always given the opportunity to jump ship and use a buyers' agent, at any time. We are fully prepared to co-broke on every listing in our inventory whether it is new construction or a resale property.
Listings, in my opinion, are the name of the game. It's the more expensive side of the real estate transaction. Working a buyer takes time and vehicle expense. Representing a seller costs money, if done properly. Online marketing has a cost attached to it, and direct mail marketing is a significant expense, but the result is peace of mind that you will always have business. Just one listing will result in many more buyers and sellers. We very rarely lose a listing before it sells. Listings have always been the name of my game, especially new construction. I prefer the comfort of knowing that sometime in the future my team and I will receive a commission check from a listing that's reasonably priced rather than working with a buyer for months and possibly receiving nothing.
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