In these times I am amazed at how many Realtors are willing to cave in when sellers or even buyers ask up front if you will work for less money. Have I ever discounted my services, yes but it was my decision not that of the client or customer. I've discounted for close friends, family, widows and orphans but never up front and never when ask.
It's my decision not anyone else. My agents have done it up front, against my advise, and almost every time it has resulted in a bad deal for all of us. In my opinion this is the first RED FLAG that you have a difficult, demanding or over bearing customer on your hands and you are headed down misery road.
Folks we are PROFESSIONALS! We are a honored profession and we provide valuable service to mankind and I believe it is an insult to the profession that anyone would even think of asking and secondly that one of our own is so weak in their position to fall prey to this. Would you ask your Doctor to discount his service before surgery? Would you ask your attorney to discount before defending you in a lawsuit? Of course not!
I realize there are discount brokers out there and they have the right to do business the way they see fit. My opinion this is a gross disservice to their clients and as far as I'm concerned the client gets what they deserve in this arangement. I'm sure I'll get slammed for that statement but that's my opinion. These brokers at least tell the client up front... cheap charges for little or no service. Or in other words my service has very little value to you Mr. Seller.
Not always, but here is my observation of agents discounting their services to get a listing. Usually the property is over priced and under marketed. Weak agent remember. It sets on the market 2 to 4 or even 6 months longer than it should and it gets stale. The agent is so weak they won't tell the seller what they need to hear. Then seller get a little more demanding and fires the agent and hires another weak agent and starts the process all over again. So the seller chisels the agents down to save a few thousand in commission and ends up losing twice as much money and time and in the end either gives up selling the property or dumping it just to get rid of it. Then bad mouths the agenst and their companies because they did such a bad marketing job. Everyone loses in the senerio.
Here's my answer to....Will you discount your commission? Mr. Seller, I am a professional and I will provide you with my professional wisdom and expertise and a service which provides you with valuable information so you can make the very best decision for you and your family which is selling your home. You want the very best information and service you can get, don't you Mr. Seller? If I were to discount my commission that should tell you I don't give much value to my service nor do I value the marketing of your home.
Here is the listing agreement for the full commission, please sign here.
Happy Trails, DK
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