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Whats going to happen next?

Ok, this is kind of an open ended, can of worms question, so bear with me and tell me what you think. I have been doing alot of thinking the last year or so in regards to what direction our industry is taking. Everytime I think I have a grasp on what people will be doing in 10 or even 5 years, things seem to change.

Are we, as agents or brokers, going to be around? With more and more "discount" offices or online only offices, are we going the way of the dinasour?

What should we be doing to position ourselves for a big change in the way the industry is set up. I know its all about internet marketing right now, but what ideas do you have to seperate yourself from everyone else online? As other biz. models that charge small amounts to advertise online, or FSBO sellers using places like craigslist and Zillow to advertise, what are your best reasons to tell sellers to continue to use us?

Any thoughts you have are greatly appreciated!

Posted by Patrick Johnson on 08/26/2008 03:49 PM

Comments (9)

bellingham washington real estate market sold for sale market agents value west coast industry change

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9 Comments on Whats going to happen next?

AUG

2008

Here's where we are headed..in today's market, gain and establish inventory, and you will ride the way as markets improve nationwide. You can not sell meat from an empty wagon. Buyers and sellers will always need you to guide them thru the process of the most important investment every needs to make. Ditch the crystal ball...and get your properties on line with video, crisp well written blogs, and podcast what a great area you live in...why folks should relocate there!

whats going to happen is that sellers nad buyers who want to go it alone, and don't see value in our services will go it alone. Those people will always exist, and if the internet were the answer, then FSBOs would be on the rise, and not the decline like they are now. As the market toughens, the best agents will not only survive but thrive. My value now to the seller is more in the negotiating, AND the marketing. For a buyer, its education, negotiation skills, market knowledge, patience, and a desire to help. The internet can't negotiate for you

I believe this: the internet, the newspaper, the radio, and TV are all marketing tools.

Realtors sell real estate!!!! Majority of buyers and sellers, in the long run, learn this and that's why the decline of "For Sale By Owners".

Great question, and I am not sure that I know the answer. There are so many people who think they can go it alone, without a Realtor, because there is so much information available to them on the internet.

The things that I try to establish with any client is that I am the local expert, I am someone they can trust, and I work to negotiate in their best interest. I will do all the leg work and save them their time, effort, and their sanity because I will take care of all the details. I take care of the liability, rather than having them liable if they negotiate a contract on their own. I also let them know that I work with the best professionals when it comes to title and escrow, lending, home inspections, appraisers, etc.

If they don't see the value you provide, then you probably don't want to work with them anyway, as they will never be satisfied with the job you do.

AUG

2008

Hi Patrick - Welcome to ActiveRain! Nice post, and I enjoyed reading all the comments. I look forward to reading your future post. Have a good Day!!!

SEP

2008

Patrick,

While there are success stories for the non-Full service Agencies.....I hear so many nightmare's that I know we will not become extinct, however we mus be vigilant to our daily programs that make us successful an never take it for granted.

Dan

OCT

2008

I am going into my 20th year and I still don't know what will happen next!

JAN

If anything goes the way of the dinosaur it will be the discount offices, not true real estate professionals. The key word there is "Professional." We, as agents, need to get back to acting like the real estate professionals that we are rather than slick salespeople as many of the consumer view us.

If anything, the Internet, with it's easy access to mis-information, as convinced those that would choose FSBO that not only can they sell it themselves, but that they can do it better, faster and for more money than a Realtor could. This is usually coming from a FSBO website or flat-fee service provider that is only after the fee that they collect, but does that matter? It was the information that this seller wanted to hear anyway.

Realtors will die out about the same time that we stop needing mechanics, attorneys, doctors, teachers, and any of a number of other professions that require a certain level of knowledge and proficiency in order to be successful.

SEP

It's been over a year since you first posted this, Patrick...interesting comments and if I had to pick my favorite response or one that I would say myself, it would be #1. :)

Leilani

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