Pascack Valley Real Estate News - Discount Broker Closing It's Doors

Pascack Valley Real Estate The Discount Broker Foxtons is Closing It's Doors due to lack of funds to continue operating, as perClosed Sign the September, 28th edition of the Bergen Record.  This doesn't come as a big surprise to many in the industry since the rule of thumb for most business models is that you get what you pay for.  The article goes on to quote various real estate professionals.  Cooperation amongst agents offering reduced commissions to the selling side of the transaction was one of the points raised in the article.  But lack of service to the Sellers was key to us.  We had personally sold a couple of listings that were listed by the company Foxtons.  We found that the company acted as an answering service to set up appointments where the homeowner had to conduct their own showings of their homes.

On one occasion, we were instructed to get our Buyer's offer signed by the Sellers.  The listing agent was not even in attendance of the signing.  It left us and the Sellers to wonder what exactly they were paying for.  But sadly many homeowners only see the percentage of commission they are paying out in order to facilitate a sale.  The marketing process entails more than what the average consumer is privy to.  As Full Time Realtors® in the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey, we know that there is more involved than simply putting a listing into the Multiple Listing Service.  Steps are taken that involve; 

  • Scheduling and Holding Broker Open Tours (usually with Lunch) for the community of agents to preview the home.
  • Creating a description of the home to highlight it's best features.
  •  Input the Listing into the Multiple Listing Service.
  • Scheduling showings & following up for feedback.
  • Taking photographs of the home and doing Virtual Tours
  • Inputting the Listing into several websites, such as our own:  www.HammersTeam.com and www.Home2BergenCounty.com in addition to Realtor.com.
  • Installing the sign and filling the Brochure Box with copies of the Listing Print Out for the sake of advertising to prospective Buyers.
  • Create a Special Features Hand-out Booklet with details, photos & descriptions about the home.
  • Advertising and Holding Public Open Houses.
  • Mailing Just Listed Cards and following up with the local area property owners.
  • Provide Sellers with professional council on the marketing analysis in setting the best price.
  • Provide Sellers with staging ideas in order to present the home to Buyers in the most desireable light.
  • Pre-qualify prospective Buyers.
  • Negotiate on behalf of the Seller with other Agents.
  • Follow-up throughout the Transaction to facilitate the smoothest "stress-free" transaction as possible.

These are the highlights of some of the many details that are skillfully managed by a Full Service Agent such as Lisa & Bob Hammerstein.  So if you are thinking of Buying or Selling in the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey, call us direct at (201)218-6802 or visit us online at www.HammersTeam.com.   We are your Pascack Valley Real Estate Resource at "Your Service"!

 
This post has been included in New Jersey Information Bergen County, NJ Information
Post is included in group: Hillsdale, NJ Real Estate
Post is included in group: Pascack Valley, NJ Real Estate
Post is included in group: Bergen County, New Jersey
Post is included in group: Bergen County Sellers
Post is included in group: Pascack Valley Home Sellers

20 Comments on Pascack Valley Real Estate News - Discount Broker Closing It's Doors

Like you say not a surprise. In a buyers market agents need to spend more to market listings and they stay on the market so much longer..$$$$$

We're even seeing less FSBO's! 

10/02/2007 08:17 PM by Monika McGillicuddy~ N.H. Real Estate Broker & Trainer (Prudential Verani Realty/Hampstead)


Lisa - guess I am not surprised, given the market. I think there will continue to be companies, discount as well as others, that have difficulty sustaining their businesses, for a variety of reasons. great overview list of some of the things we do as agents - I have a 4 page document that summarizes what I do as listing agent (same for on the buy side). . You make a good point that some people are only focused on the commission rather than the service. That can work in a seller's market but tough in this one.

Jeff

10/02/2007 08:20 PM by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)


Go get those Foxtons listings and help those people... good riddens too them!!!!

10/02/2007 09:10 PM by Desiree Daniels, Mercer County, NJ, Real Estate (RE/MAX Tri County)


Hi Moni,

Like a breath of fresh air to see.  Thanks for stopping by.  Good to see ya!

10/02/2007 09:22 PM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


Hi Jeff,

The list can go on at length but I tried to give "some" of the things we do as full service real estate agents.  Thanks for stopping by to read and say hello.

10/02/2007 09:26 PM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


Hi Desiree,

Thanks for stopping in to say hello.  We're doin our best to get those listings!

 

10/02/2007 09:27 PM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


Thanks for your info and story...I bet that list could go on...and I bet my mouth could too! We as full service agents  ...bottom line...give the best and detailed service and don't leave our clients in the dark.

10/02/2007 09:30 PM by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman (RA), Hawaii Real Estate & Hawaii Relocation (Century 21 Liberty Homes -Mililani, Hawaii)


Hi Sally,

You better believe it!  Thanks so much for your comment.

10/02/2007 09:32 PM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


with tonge in cheek - aw that is so sad that they are closing -

NOT - glad you are there to provide FULL SERVICE

10/03/2007 01:58 AM by Central Oregon Real Estate | Thesa Chambers, Broker (RE/MAX Sunset Realty La Pine)


Lisa and Robert, we are doing a transaction with a seller listed with a discount firm. We have only spoke to the office once.......when we called to set up the showing and they said call the owner.

It has been my Buyer Agent and the Seller all the way. Lots of tough negotiating. My BA said to me the other day, I'm doing all the work for both sides ! Yes you are.............

So many times the sellers called me for advice. I told them I can't help you.... you should have hired a Realtor to negotiate this for you. Selling on your own is hard and truly they are selling on their own.

10/03/2007 04:04 AM by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)


Good post for localism. I like your list of what you do for sellers.

10/03/2007 06:36 AM by GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR BUCKS COUNTY, PA HOMES (ReMax Centre Realtors)


Hi Thesa,

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.  Always happy to see ya'!

 

10/03/2007 08:59 AM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


Hi Missy,

Sounds like you've been experiencing the same thing that many other full service professionals have been.  Not to mention those poor unsuspecting Sellers who use the "services" of the fee for service companies.  Guess it is our job to educate the public about what actually happens in the real estate process.  Thanks for stopping in for a read and leaving a comment!  Nice to see ya'!

10/03/2007 09:03 AM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


Hi Gita,

Thank you!  That list goes on for quite a bit but we wanted to just give some "samples" of what service actually looks like! :)

10/03/2007 09:05 AM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


This too shall pass and many opportunities shall arise!

10/03/2007 10:59 AM by Boise Idaho Real Estate - George Tallabas (RE/MAX Advantage)


Hi George,

Those opportunities will always be there and we sure are happy they are.  Thanks for stopping by again!

10/03/2007 12:48 PM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


Lisa - You definitely illustrate how you stand out service wise very well.  And there should be no doubt to potential clients that you are not going anywhere! 

10/04/2007 12:14 AM by Denver Real Estate, Highlands Ranch Real Estate, Steve Scheer (RE/MAX Masters, Inc.)


Hi Steve,

Thanks for stopping by with such a nice comment.   We do try to provide superior service above the crowd! :)

10/04/2007 08:59 AM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


You are absolutely correct you get what you pay for. I think you will see more and more of this happening throughout the country.

10/05/2007 11:10 AM by Jay McGillicuddy~Real Estate Broker (Prudential Verani Realty)


Hi Jay,

Thanks for stopping by and yes, we should all start seeing some interesting things happen in the marketplace.  We're still serving the public much the same way you and Moni do!

10/05/2007 11:44 AM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


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