Special offer
Home > Blogs > Douglas Trudeau > Douglas Trudeau's (dougtrudeau) Blog
bookmark_border

60 Minutes - What Everybody Ought To Know About Real Estate Commissions

By
Real Estate Agent with Tierra Antigua Realty

Today I watched a tabloid style presentation from 60 Minutes about Chipping Away At Realtors' Six Percent. There are dozens if not hundreds of people incarcerated for this perspective of preconceived notion. During my 20 plus years in the Criminal Justice System I was taught to investigate to find the person innocent. If s/he is guilty that guilt will stand out. 60 Minutes took a very slanted approach to the subject she reported on. The questions posed to the REALTOR® were more like an interrogation.  

First, not all commissions are 6%. Some are lower, some are higher. I have listed numerous homes for 7%. There are Realtors who manage to get 8% or more. Commissions are negotiable. I have had clients tell me that I should have charged more. I don't want to charge more. What I charge is fair and reasonable for that client. Read the rest of this entry »

Visit my website for more about Tucson, Tucson Community, Tucson Schools, Tucson Real Estate, Tucson Golf, Tucson Golf Courses, Home Searches, and more.

Comments (5)
Subscribe to CommentsComment

Submit
Show All Comments
Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate
I noticed there was not mention of the details of the contract and how difficult it can be to hold it together when you have sellers and buyers who can't understand their responsibilities. Who's going to hold them to the time constraints of the inspection period, the application for mortgage period, the deadline for loan approval, etc? Not to mention, in Florida you never know who's going to order the survey. Are these online agents watching every clause and time period in the contract, to make sure no one is ever out-of-contract?
May 13, 2007 03:39 PM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Doug,

Sorry to say I did not get in on the early part of the interview, just the last portion, so I'm eagar to hear what others have to say. All too often most people are truly clueless of all the things that can and do happen during a transaction. As Realtors we are targets, and no doubt it will continue.

I can tell you right now we have listings on our MLS that pay $#@*% and those that pay only one dollar. There are choices out there right now for the consumers.

May 13, 2007 03:46 PM
Eveline Tritsch
House 2 Home Realty - Las Vegas, NV
Thank you for writing about this, Doug!  I did not see the 60 minutes, but read about it on CBS.com.  It is the same thing everytime isn't it?  I like what you said about the countless hours away from family.  I was gone for 4 hours today on a buyer's appointment on Mother's Day.  Did my kids understand? Of course they did.  Were these buyers serious?  I assume they were, and seemed like they were.  But they are still 1 year away from seriously purchasing anything.  I am ok with that.  Really.  But if they decide they don't want to buy here after all?  You know how many hours I will put in finding them that perfect home?  Countless, as you said.  We want our clients happy, don't we?  Great post!  Keep it up.
May 13, 2007 04:02 PM
Wayne B. Pruner
Oregon First - Tigard, OR
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI
Commissions are negotiable and all over the map. They are not set in stone. They vary in my market.
May 13, 2007 04:58 PM
Douglas Trudeau
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
MBA, Assoc. Broker, Selling Tucson Real Estate
Wayne: You're right commissions are negotiable. Commissions vary in every market. Just like a mechanic, doctor, lawyer, or anyone providing a service has the right to set a fee, we as REALTORS® have the right to charge what commission we feel is right.
May 14, 2007 12:44 AM
Back to Top

What's the reason you're reporting this blog entry?

Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam?