WHAT MORE DO BUYERS WANT?

Here is the point.  WE SET OUR OWN VALUE EVERY DAY.  If you accept what people ask/expect of you you are doing it because you feel that is what you are worth.  People pay top dollar and the look for bargains, the question you have to ask is which are you?

I do not accept gifts nor am I of the opinion about giving them. I believe providing outstanding service speaks louder than a gift. If my clients are new to my town I will provide them with a list of pertinent information and if they have kids will introduce them to the Superintendent of Schools.

I hear you loud and clear Terri. One of our new agents picked up a buyer who was apprehensive to work with him until he said he'll give him some of the commission. The buyer responded "now we're talkin' " and started to open up to my agent. When my new agent told me this, I told him to NEVER do that for obvious legalities and just as important the principal. If they need a discount realtor they're going to get a discount realtor.

To all buyers and sellers; Do not hire the agent who will cut commission or pay you back some commission off the get go. This agent will not fight for your right. There are scenarios where cutting the commission may be adequate, or contributing to a closing may be the only option left. But that's not clear until closing let alone the in the viewing stages.

Zorik Dadoyan

You are an independent business owner....you put up with what you want.......you can fire bad employees......we really don't need the money that bad...One cancelled, brings one new escrow

Amen, Terri. I agree also with Doug #4 that exceptional customer service is the motherlode of gifts.

If they don't get it, they don't get it.

Airdrie, I guess this agent never had the talk of what is expected out of her and how she works. I always explain how I get paid and explain my fee feeds my family, pays for my home and it pays for my kids tuition to college.

There is a big difference between giving fantastic service and giving your hard earned money away. I, just like every other person who works expects to get paid if I do my job well. I don't give up my kids college tuition because someone decides they want more. I agree with Larry, you have to decide if you're worth your fee. The agent needs to learn to add one word to her vocabulary "No".

I see this happening more and more in the mortgage broker channels. As it becomes more competitive, agents begin to buy down the mortgage rates to get business. By doing so, they create an artificial rate environment. As a result, if I want to compete, I will have to give up 50% of my commission. Somewhere a line needs to be drawn. We need to figure out what our worth is, and tell the customer to move on if they are expecting less.

Hello Terri:

Making the argument based on the cost of doing buinsess is playing into the hands of those who want the money.  A more powerful argument is the value we bring and that is in your last paragraph. That's the key.

Great post Terri.  People don't often understand the value of a good realtor, and the money that we put out up front in hopes of earning a living.