So, what does a realtor do?
"Well you just made a quick [INSERT COMMISSION HERE AS CALCULATED BY CLIENT]"
We've all had clients say this to us, in one version or another when submitting an offer. Quite often, we Realtors start rattling off a list of all the unofficial things that we do: home inspector, legal advisor, counselor, divorce attorney, baby sitter, banker, cleaning lady, family therapist, dog walker, appraiser, inspector, contractor, secretary, tour guide, taxi cab, handy man.... and thats just this week!
We can all make a list of the many things we do for our clients that are not in our job description... but they are just that: NOT IN OUR JOB DESCRIPTION. So why do we use this list to justify our commissions like we are professional go-fers? These jobs do not justify the commissions we earn -the items that fall within our job description do. My point is that aside from the countless tasks Realtors perform as favors to our clients, we provide a valuable professional service and deserve to be compensated accordingly.
When I list a home, I provide the following services: aiding my clients in determining the true value of their home using market data and professional experience, suggesting improvements or changes to increase the home's marketability, developing and implementing a marketing plan for the home, using my professional contacts to network the home throughout the local real estate industry and bring quality buyers to the home owner, recommend professionals (i.e. attorney's and contractors) and using my professional negotiating skills to bring you top dollar for your home.
When I work as a buyer's agent, I use my vast local knowledge to help clients find a town/neighborhood that fits their lifestyle, assist my clients in finding their deam home, assist my clients in determining the right price to offer on a property based on actual market data, use my professional negotiating skills to get your home for the lowest price possible within market value, explain the home buying process and answer questions so my clients are prepared and informed when making the largest purchase they will likely make in their lives, recommend a quality home inspector who can save you thousands in home repairs in the long run, recommend an attorney to represent you throughout the closing process and recommend loan officers to assist you in obtaining financing.
These are valuable services, and if you ask any of my past clients, they will tell you I am well worth my commission (and I probably saved them more than what I was paid through negotiating price, repairs, upgrades and my recommendations of professionals to assist in the transaction). So what does a realtor do? I hope this helped to answer. And yes, I'll come over and take your dog for a walk when we have a showing scheduled.
Comments (5)Subscribe to CommentsComment