Why Are Our Commissions SO HIGH?

Bret....Whatever Gandolf.... The Beach Boys And Wilson Phillips, come up faster on google than you.

You said in a post earlier that you were leaving .Than Go!

oooooh , you're website is better, give me a break! let's go head to haed on a listing presentaiton. Oh Wait you're probably one of the agrents that likes to do monday morning quarterbacking.

It's rather conveinent that you have no credetials listed in any way.

Bret,

why don't you guys take calls?

I'm gald your show is free, it's not worth it either.

I'm glad to hear your a marketing major, as am I. You're not getting that that is not all we do.

you are the one that came at our field with malice. what did you expect?>

Jennifer - that's true - you get the juice too...but it helps them - I wasn't trying to steal your juice!  Apologies!

Okay..so andrew has been reduced to inconsequence.

Ruth..do you really think we care or are seeking out some mythological google juice or free publicity? Hardly.

We own the SERPS already..this does nothing for us. We stopped coming to AR months ago. It holds nothing for us. The only reason there was any discussion was becasue Jennifer and Broker Bryant wrote pieces about what we discussed and subsequently AR members began throwing stones as was to be expected. Go back and read Jennifer's post, Erik's post and BB's post and see from which comments the stone throwing initiated.

You have a PHD, so I assume you can have reasoned discourse. Please review each of the above referenced posts and see who allowed the conversation to denigrate.

If you find it was I, then I will openly apologize. However, as you will find, if it was indeed an AR member than you need to see the true problem with some of the members of AR. They simply do not want to be challenged and made to stand up to hard fact.

I'll make it easy for you..we can start on this post that Jennifer made. She posted this article on on 06/30/2008 at 12:30.

My first response was at 07/01/2008 08:40 as you can see above. It was not my intention to engage ..until we were insulted (Matt since apologized)..then you posted somewhat of an inflammatory comment (I am sure you won't see it as such) then things unraveled and Jennifer accused me of being disrespectful.

Seriously people, read the post and the timeline of the comments and when you get to the end you'll see more inanity from some guy named andrew.

It's the fact, it is indisputable and it speaks volumes. It wasn't me at all seeking any publicity or "google juice " (fyi...AR is no Follow)

So as a self admitted person of higher learning, do you now understand?

Brett:

Yes, of course, as are all comments, my comment is my opinion. I did not suggest it was otherwise.

You are also right in that I have not listened to your show. If the style of your show is similar to the style of your comments, I probably will not listen to the show because, although, some find it entertaining, I don't enjoy that style of radio. However, I checked out your blog and found some very worthwhile reading there.

Actually, Brett, I read all of your comments and even printed them out prior to responding. And I have re-read them prior to posting this comment to make sure that I did not misquote you.

I think part of the problem with this current debate is that your style that doesn't carry well into the written forum. The attack style made famous by Rush Limbaugh, while greatly entertaining on radio loses the entertainment value in writing and comes across as harsh, denigrating and patronizing in writing. In fact, look at your comment's critique of my comment. Rather than say, hey, I disagree with you, which I knew you would, you attack me by asking me whether I know the definition of "transaction broker." I will of course share that definition below for others because [entering dangerous waters here] I assume YOU already know the definition.

You wrote:

You [Lisa] wrote "you [Brett] do not believe real estate agents earn their commission." Obviously you have not followed what we have written nor have you listened to the show. We feel that the "listing agent is worthless". We feel that whatever agent brings the buyer is worth their weight in gold. You have misquoted us.

I did not misquote you. Nowhere in the comments above did you say that you thought buyer's agents were worth their weight in gold, nor did you specifically state that a "listing agent is worthless." In fact most of your comments were focused on deriding other commentators and in general expressing your disdain of the profession with the exception of Jennifer and Bryant.

We are in agreement that there are a lot of lousy agents out there that do not earn their commission. It is up to the consumer, if they choose to use a listing agent (since you've clarified that point), to do their own due diligence.

I disagree that all listing agents are not worth their commission. IN MY OPINION, a good listing agent is also worth their weight in gold for the majority of the population. I disagree that further transparency will eliminate their usefulness.

I also agree that this debate is finished as Ruthmarie points out it has devolved into pointless attacks and then the defense of pointless attacks. Again, this would be entertaining for the talk radio crowd but this is not such a forum.

Lisa

P.S. Regarding the difference between a transaction broker (a third party employed to facilitate the negotiation who does not represent either the buyer or the seller) and an agent (a third party employed by an individual or entity to negotiate on their behalf and in their best interest) is that the transaction broker does not owe a fiduciary duty to either the Buyer or Seller. There is a huge difference and many agents do not understand the difference. Many agents become transaction brokers without realizing it (check your real estate forms) but the buyer and seller are not aware of the distinction and are still under the impression that the agent is representing their best interests. GOOD agents know the difference and either refuse dual agency situations or clearly explain their duties to the buyer and seller.

P.P.S. 7/2/08 5:34 PDT I see that on Broker Bryant's blog Barry C writing for your account did mention that you and the Barries consider Buyer's Agents worth their weight in gold. However, it was never mentioned in any of the comments to Jennifer's post above.  I only saw it because Bryant subscribed to my blog and I wanted to thank him.

In the future, if you are going to attempt to attack credibility, please try to keep it to the blog post at hand and don't assume that the commentator you are critiquing has read every comment you or your surrogates have written on the topic in the comments section of other blog posts.

Bret, do you work for getting homes sold or for ratings?

your show s**s, I got nothing out of it except your elitist attitude.

NOONE SHOULD EVER LEARN ANYTHING, AND LEAVE EVERYTHING TO PRO'S LIKE YOU. Like you were that great the first time out of the gate.

You are just being condescending and if that is you r take, feel free to start your own blog. about how realtor are ripping smart people off.

Therer are plenty of other routes to go, noone is begging you here to list with us, so please tell all us folks that are ripping people off the right way to go.

And please feel free to call my list of satisfied clients that would beg to differ.

OK side note- I am really getting sick of this Sh*t. Ido my job sell your home with multiple offers in a week and don't do my job. I sell you'r home in 3 months and just ask you to cut your price.

Would you still want to be for sale next year?

Here's the thing - if you don't think REALTORS earn their commission - don't hire them.  I never justify my commission - if you want me to represent you in your home sale, I charge a fee to do it. If you don't want to pay a fee, then do it on your own.  FSBO has been around for as long as I remember.  If a consumer is inclined to do it on their own - go them! (I'm not being sarcastic).  Many of my friends use TurboTax and do their taxes themselves. I'm fully capable of using the program, as well.  However, I pay a good chunk of money to have my accountant do them for me.  I like her. She does a good job.  She takes care of me.  It's worth the dollar amount (to me) to maintain my sanity and cover my ass.  I don't use her and then complain that I had to pay her to do the job.

If you're going to complain that a REALTOR didn't earn his or her fee - either you didn't negotiate your fee properly, or you didn't do your due diligence and hired a crappy REALTOR.  I'll be the first one to admit that there are crappy REALTORS out there - just like there are crappy dentists, mechanics, painters, surgeons, etc.   Saying that the collective is useless because of the ineptitude of a few (even many) is disingenuous and misleading.  Instead of calling listing agents useless, perhaps you should counsel people on how to select a good agent if they decide to use one.  Simply stating that they're stupid for thinking they need one - isn't that more of a dig on the consumer (since a vast majority use them) rather than the REALTOR?

And boiling our job as a listing agent down to throwing in a sign and entering it into MLS - that's what crappy REALTORS do.  That's no where near the level of service I provide to my listing clients.  That doesn't even begin to scratch the surface.

Lisa......I'm in awe!  I've got to leave it at that.....

Bob Mitchell

ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc.

I saw this on Broker Bryant's blog yesterday. I think I wrote a book in his comment section. I need to just post a blog about it. I never get asked to justify my commission, but it didn't take me long to spell out exactly how I work, which in itself, explains exactly why I get paid the amount I do.

Andrew..Dude..seriously..step away from the meth pipe, put away the amy Winehouse cd and chill. You're a bit off the ledge.

FYI...I don't do the show. C'ya!

Jennifer, good job..this worked well for you.

Jennifer - I just listened to the whole show, while I haven't had time to read all the comments in this thread, I thought you did a great job, as did B & B. It was good radio and you did great as their guest. IMHO.

Wow, it looks like a can of worms has been opened up here. I am sorry to read all the anger and antagonism going on here. I can see the reason for some of the anger but there is a more professional approach than to use vicious accusations and insults. This is not justified and everyone should take a step back and think about it before touching the keyboard any further. Keeping the emotional aspect out of this can help improve the communication we can attain here on AR.  

I agree that not all agents are created equal. I have seen and met some of them along the way. It is true that comparing realtors to doctors, attorneys, etc may not be the most appropriate way of doing so. However, this is not to say that agents are not professional. There are doctors I've known who don't know much of what they're doing as far as prescribing drugs. I've spoken to attorneys who don't really know much about certain aspects of the laws. Howver, as an attorney would say it, "it depends". Having the same degree within the profession does not indicate they are equal. The same applies to real estate agents.

Having a degree requirement may be a good way to help improve the people coming into the real estate industry. A 4 year degree possibly? But then again, I've known agents without a degree who are very professional and knowledge in the field. As a result, having a degree may not be necessary for those gifted people with a knack for selling. It is a matter of how you approach the business. If an agent's demeanor and how he/she carry him/herself portrays his/her worth, then the high commission is justified. It is a profession and you get what you paid for. Therefore, the commission received is not considered high afterall.

Brett, your perception of the industry may be misconstrued because of your experiences with those agents you've experienced. I have not heard of your Radio Show before reading this blog post. It would guess that it is informative as I have listened to other similar shows on radio about real estate. With all due respects, you've made some valid points and I do agree with you on a certain level. However, knowing that you represent the radio show should give light to the fact that you carry the image of the company wherever you go, ie posting comments here on AR. As such, I think it is imperative that you become more cognizant of how you respond to the comments. Yes, being vindictive is one approach but it is not the way to a peaceful resolution.

Words may come through as different than those spoken. It can lead to more misinterpretation. I believe your retaliatory approach to the other commenter's response is uncalled for. You sound like a person of intellect so I hope you can find an appropriate medium to calm the tensions that's been created. Fueling the fire may lead to recognition but it is not a recognition worth risking.

Let's be professional folks as this is a public post. You are what you write so let's gather ourselves and behave accordingly. Incitement may be a way to garner publicity for ourselves or for our business. However, it lead to a state of infamous rather than famous. Let's get along and move on.

You have to feel that what you offer to a perspective client is worth what you charge - if you don't believe it, why would they.  After 10 years in the business, I feel strongly that I'm worth every penny of commission that I earn!

Dave D.

Extremely well said and appreciated. You sir are exemplary!

Mike Mitchell..TY for taking the time to actually listen and I appreciate it. And yes, we value Jennifer's opinion very much.

This topic has inspired a rash of blogs from my keyboard, but I don't want to clog up the AR system with 'em. Please come see me on my Sell with Soul blog forum for more rants, raves & ponderings...

http://www.blogs.sellwithsoul.com/

If nothing else, just stop by and say HELLO!

(p.s. if you'd like to contribute your thoughts to the official SWS blog, just ask for "contributing author" status and I'll sign ya up.