A lemming is a small hamster like animal that at some points will move in large masses together even if the leader takes them over a cliff!  When they follow the crowd in front of them they will go to their certain death.  So much for the individual achieving success on their own accord, if you follow the herd it may mean sure suicide.  A definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and look for a different results the next time.  In real estate not only do real estate agents think like lemmings so do their clients. 

In real estate marketing, "lemmings" may set the same list price as the house down the street that sold last month.  So even though the home took a year to sell - how is that a strategy to sell your listing?  Why is that  listing you would want at a price that is non competitive?  What are you thinking here?  Do you want to wear the seller down?   It may be a long game!

Those that cannot think for themselves are doomed to fail   Have you ever noticed at a real estate seminar everyone rushes to buy the latest software or marketing tools, but they neglect to see they are one of a thousand in line.  Everyone feels they are different.   Theirs will be an easy success, while everyone else just does not get it!.  That type of thinking is flawed.  Lemmings may also advertise in places that do not yield a sale in this current market: newspapers, Realtor.Com, color flyers, buyer agent commission, newspaper classifieds, or online marketing.  They do not even think of the money they are spending adn what they can expect as a return on their marketing investment.  If no sales are taking place, where is the strategy?  

We work in a profession where we are judge by our performance.  A sale is all about having the right facts and information before you to make an informed decision.  This applies whether you are buying or selling a home.  Have you noticed that homes are still selling even in this market while other homes sit for an eternity? If you get the wrong advice from an inexperienced agent that is more interested in listing your home than selling it, you will lose equity, and perhaps lose your home as prices decline even further.  Do not be a lemming. 

Selling Lemmings think like this:

1. My home will sell, without improvements or updates.
2. I will offer a credit for carpet, paint and updates.
3. I have the best home in the neighborhood, I want to be priced higher.
4. I will not pay buyers closing costs.
5. I will not negotiate - I will sell "As Is!"
6. We do not have to sell.
7. I will only pay the same 'X' commission as everyone else.
8. My home is better.
9. My price is firm!
10. Perhaps I will rent my home until the market comes back.
11. I will try to sell my home next year when the market is better.
12. Think all agents are the same; I just need to be in the MLS.
13. I can do this myself without listing.
14. I want a 90 day listing.
15. I will put the home back on the market after the holidays.

Buyer Lemmings Think likes this:

1. It is OK that I do not have a buyers agent represent me.
2. It is perfectly OK to buy directly from a builder without buyer representation.
3. I will save the commission for not having buyer representation.
4. It is OK to deal directly with the listing agent.
5. I will buy the home from the owner agent.
6. I will use their inspector, their lender, their closing attorney.
7. I will not seek independent advice.
8. I will not have legal counsel go over the contract with me.
9. I do not need an appraisal.
10. Not to worry about zoning.
11. I do not need a survey.
12. I do not need a title policy.
13. I do not need a termite bond or termite inspection.
14. I do not need to shop mortgage rates and terms.
15. Location of the home does not matter - home is loaded with extras.