Here’s the deal. Brokers used to justify their 6% or 7% listing fee because there was a “cost” to marketing your home. They had pretty color glossary hand outs created that showed you the enormous cost of letting buyers know about your home. Sure, they would list things like the Washington Post, Homes Magazine, the local Gazette, New Homes Guide and other real estate publications. They would have the cost of a virtual tour, color brochures and a sign out front listed as well. They might have included the costs of broker’s open houses and general public open houses. I have no doubt that back in the day; those were the only methods available to promote your home.
THAT WAS THEN AND THIS IS NOW!
This is a new day. The only thing that the Washington Post, Home Magazine, the local Gazette, New Homes Guide and other real estate publications promote is the agent listing your home. They are asking you to pay for promoting their interests.
What about the virtual tour, the color brochures and that sign in the front yard? Can I say “You tube”? Can I share that creating a virtual tour is NOT brain surgery? Those brochures are eye candy. The people that pick them up are in the house. All of the pictures should be on line. Oh, and that sign out front with the listing agent’s picture and phone number; it shows the home is for sale but it promotes the listing agent. They are asking you to foot the bill for things that either cost nothing or promote the agent.
Think about it. Should you pay for the cold cuts and soda served to agents that attend broker’s opens? They are asking you to subsidize lunch for friends.
Almost all buyers find new homes on the internet. Any agent worth his or her salt has a website and adding your listing does not cost a penny. The majority of listings are found via the Multiple Listing Service. Buyer’s agents review them daily. The use of the internet in marketing your home has slashed the cost agents used to pay.
WE GET IT. LISTING A HOUSE SHOULD COST LESS.
INTERESTED IN A FULL SERVICE, COMPLETE INTERNET LISTING
WE ONLY CHARGE 4.5%
(You can take the rest to the bank!)
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