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NO. You really didn't just ask that, did you?

By Debbie White

Managing Real Estate Broker with Southeast Alaska Real Estate RECB 15265

July 27, 2010 11:53 AM

Recently, I competed with Brand X on a listing.

Our office is a member of BOTH the Southeast Alaska MLS AND the Alaska MLS. We are the only brokerage in Juneau to have membership in both MLS groups and one of the few in all of Southeast Alaska. One office in Sitka also has membership in both MLS's.

We advertise extensively in the Capital City Weekly Real Estate Guide, Juneau Empire, and in the small newspapers of the rural towns and remote villages in which we serve. We put all listings on both MLS databases with as many photos as allowed. On our own website, we offer unlimited photos. If features of a property warrant 100 photos, we put 100 photos on there. When buyers, such as this one, feel the need to build their own website, we will add a link to their website on the MLS and on our website. We offer equal co-op commission to any broker selling our listings. This is just some of what we offer.

Well, we lost the listing to Brand X.

Brand X is only a member of one of the MLS groups - the one headquarterd several hundred miles away. Brand X does no print advertising in the regional periodical and very little in the local 8 page paper. Brand X has a mediocre website and usually only puts a few photos online. He puts listings in the MLS offering 1/3 the normal co-op commission and keeps the rest.

Mr. SELLER has asked me about giving him a link on my website to his. Um, No. His website links to Brand X. He also asked about putting his website on the OTHER MLS. Um. No. He doesn't have a contract with us. He's also now questioning the lack of internet coverage he is receiving, noting that our website offers greater exposure to buyers. He finally did as I suggested and "Googled" Southeast Alaska Real Estate.

*thunks head*

*slaps forehead*

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Kathy Opatka

RE/MAX CROSSROADS - Ocean City, MD

Serving Ocean City, MD, & The Delaware Beaches

I'm confused.... why would MR.BUYER want a link to your website?

Jul 28, 2010 06:09 AM

Jon Sigler

Coldwell Banker Realty - South Windsor, CT

Sigler Sold Another! 860-306-8029

But Brand X is going to get him more money.... wink, wink. you can read my sarcasm I hope.

Jul 28, 2010 06:21 AM

Jim Hale

ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR

Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

If the other agency consistently offers a low buyer agency commission (BAC), they must simply be a discount brokerage.

In our MLS, we never know how much the total commission percentage is - or, thereby, how much listing side commission is being charged, so I'm not sure how you know he's keeping a disproportional amount for himself.

Do your MLS computer systems allow you to search and print out the BAC commission amount?

In our MLS, BAC is a search-able and printable parameter. With that system, I can - and usually do - hand the seller a printout showing all the homes similar to the subject property and listing the BAC being offered for every one. I then let the sellers choose how much they want "to offer the agency bringing the buyer".

Most decide to meet the top BAC. Some choose to be a half percent lower. In doing so they will usually not be alone. (But they will clearly have lots less company than they would have in this market two years ago.)

They might be inclined to offer less than that, but they can clearly see that would put them at a serious competitive disadvantage.

I leave that BAC up to them. Whatever way they chose will be fine with me. If we are on the market for a while, I can always offer them the opportunity to increase that BAC.

BTW: This way, sellers always know that they are paying me something less than the full percentage rate they are being charged.

Jul 28, 2010 06:45 AM

Jeff Ragan

Ming Tree, Realtors Real Living - Eureka, CA

Luxury Agent, Northern California

So, why do YOU think the seller went with the other agency?

Jul 28, 2010 07:00 AM

Brian Rugg

Rugg Realty LLC Sun City Texas 512-818-6700 - Georgetown, TX

Sun City TX Real Estate - Georgetown, TX Real Est

Debbie_

Please write a follow up post to this one. I am dying to know the rest of the story. I hope there is a great turn of events and the seller comes back to his senses.

Brian Rugg

Jul 28, 2010 08:34 AM

Kent Dills

Broker, Dills Real Estate - Bellingham, WA

Real Estate 817-495-8028, Bellingham, Washington

Most times people get what they asked or paid for. This seller will probably get what he asked for! ;-)

Good post Debbie!

Jul 28, 2010 11:01 AM

Ty Lacroix

Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc - London, ON

Some home sellers just don't get it, do they?

Jul 28, 2010 02:01 PM

Jamie King

Hoty Enterprises, Inc. - Huron, OH

Sandusky, OH

I can soooo relate to this.

I just lost a listing to an agent/broker in a one man office. He also owns three businesses in the area that are unrelated to real estate...one being a busy restaurant. How much time do you suppose this agent devotes to selling residential real estate vs myself who works real estate full time? Not to mention, that our office puts listings on over 35 websites...something I know the other agent doesn't do...nor do I imagine he has time to do.

People just don't get it!

Jul 29, 2010 04:36 AM

Keith Lutz

Keller Williams Metropolitan - Long Valley, NJ

Sounds like you have some form of communication with him. Next time he calls, ASK HIM!

There are always areas we can tweak ourselves on.

Jul 29, 2010 08:53 AM

Debbie White

Southeast Alaska Real Estate - Juneau, AK

I Sell Alaska!

Sorry, everyone - I have been going crazy with Alaska's summer!

John Thomas - I suppose he may have had a connection, but a friend he trusted recommended me.

Dale Weir, Jeremy Wrenn and Donna Galinsky - The commission rate was the same. I matched it.

Rob Arnold - The MLS is based hundreds of miles away. We have the Alaska MLS (mostly the interior) and Southeast Alaska MLS - the one based in Juneau. It's still about 100 miles from the town. I do have a field representative in this community even though I'm in Juneau.

Jul 29, 2010 01:53 PM

Debbie White

Southeast Alaska Real Estate - Juneau, AK

I Sell Alaska!

Gregg Schoh - The list price was based upon an appraisal ordered by the seller. Unfortunately that complicates things with these rural and remote properties but that's another blog.

Monica Hess - All contact has been over the internet and telephone but I will keep your offer in mind.

Marcy Moyer - Quite the story - takes all kinds!

Jul 29, 2010 02:00 PM

Jennifer Kirby

Kirby Fine Homes - Minneapolis, MN

The Luxury Agent

I have started using Google to my advantage in listing appointments. I print out a couple of search terms for google which work for their home, showing how I am at the top of page one, then tell them to also Google me, then Google any other agents they interview to see who's websites are really performing as they should be. Sellers are amazed, and it makes the sell easier in a way.

Jul 30, 2010 10:18 AM

Sybil Campbell

Fernandina Beach, FL

Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

We meet all kinds of people in this business! Sorry you lost the listing.

Jul 30, 2010 05:42 PM

Dana Devine

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Apollo Beach, FL

tell him to cancel and list with u

Jul 31, 2010 02:43 AM

Debbie White

Southeast Alaska Real Estate - Juneau, AK

I Sell Alaska!

Hey, everyone - I'm not ignoring you. Summers are short in Alaska and it's not uncommon to work until it gets dark. Just a few clarifications -

This was NOT a discount broker. He doesn't discount the commission - he puts in a paltry 1% co-op and keeps the rest for himself. At one point this other company dominated the community market. I have an agent in that town now and they no longer have a monopoly.

The seller continues to call, write and ask questions. He has admitted his error and says if the property does not sell then he will list with us. I am not going to encourage him to cancel his current contract and list with our office. I think that is a poor decision in the long term. We all have to continue to work together long after our current clients have moved on with their lives.

Jul 31, 2010 04:47 AM

Debbie White

Southeast Alaska Real Estate - Juneau, AK

I Sell Alaska!

Hey, everyone - I'm not ignoring you. Summers are short in Alaska and it's not uncommon to work until it gets dark. Just a few clarifications -

Jul 31, 2010 04:47 AM

Pelin Guzel

Dallas Homes For Sale - Plano Real Estate - Dallas, TX

Your marketing program ROCKS! Unfortunately Mr Seller gave the listing someone else, which I still did not get it after that many posts why he gave it to someone else? Was it his relative or very close friend? This is the only reason I can think of.

I really like the idea of putting a link and asking 3% very creative.

Most of the time Sellers do not understand what we are doing, but I feel that it is my job to explain them my Dallas Homes For Sale Marketing Systems however not every seller has a big knowledge of google system or other marketing features.

Hope you will get many more listings in your area!

Aug 03, 2010 02:44 PM

Cari Anderson

Danville, CA

Wow - some people just aren't too bright. Maybe it's better to not work with someone like this, even at the expense of a commission. Sounds like this seller may be more trouble than it's worth!

Aug 04, 2010 10:26 AM

Steven Nickens

Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers - Wailea, HI

R(S)GRI ABR, Maui Real Estate Hawaii

Must have been the sellers auntie, blood is thick. Brush it off and move on.

Oct 20, 2010 03:20 PM

Terri Poehler

Realtor - Coral Springs, FL

Coral Springs Real Estate Agent

I'm reading through old stuff and came across this which I found interesting. I bet by now, you're run into more of these and you can now spot them from miles away.

Jun 16, 2014 10:31 PM