The 2 bit up there isn't a mistake.  remember "shave and a haircut, 2 bits"?  Wish that a quarter would go that far...

Having got that out of the way, let's talk reality.  Free enterprise is good, for America, for Realtors.  Bad service from a cut rate broker will make us look good.  Good service from a cut rate will make us sharper.  Competition does that everywhere.  And we all know, most of us do charge 6%.  I do, and I think I provide better service than a lot of guys up the street.  And I better be ready to tell a seller or buyer what that is.

I've stayed in Red Roof inns, I've driven a Yugo (see previous post).  Today I like Hyatt.  I drive new cars.  I eat well, and I go to Hawaii.  About 6 million people visit Hawaii yearly.  They pay thru the nose because they want a better vacation than traveling to _____________________ (put your own name in).  We pay that for service, quality, originality, location, ideas, comfort.

Now, look at our business.  Can I expose a listing online?  Yep, can a seller?  Yep, I can expose a lot of stuff online.  But exposure doesn't get you in front of real buyers, really qualified, with all the virtual tours, real feed back, and more.  Take each piece apart that you provide.  Did a couple save $26,000?  Yep.  Was the seller terrified up to closing because she didn't believe it?  We provide that piece of mind.  We help with experience.  Very few people I know bought their first car without help from mom, dad, etc.  We provide that comfort.

So am I afraid the cut rate guy might take my buiz?  Sure.  But let them come.  First time a buyer looses money to someone who is the "vice president of a bank in India..."  You better believe people want to deal with a person.  Online, or otherwise, my clients meet ME.  They get to know who I am.  Some people will always go the cut rate, some brokers will think that's a great way to go.  Me, I struggle with the liability that I would have to hire lawyers and pay them lots to write the legalize I'd have to get clients to sign.  Online.

Hey, speaking of Lawyers, anyone do an online divorce lately?  If you did, do you have any money????