Polly Preekwall...Come On Down! You're The Next Contestant On "IF THE COMMISSION PRICE IS RIGHT!!!"

By Kim Brown

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty

July 14, 2009 11:41 AM

MARY MEEFURST: Welcome, welcome! I'm your host, Mary Meefurst, and I'm here to help you find the very best property to meet your needs.......IF.....

AUDIENCE: THE COMMISSION PRICE IS RIGHT!!!

MARY: In case this is your first time joining us, here are the basics of our game:

We help folks buy and sell real estate!

<APPLAUSE>

We take note of what they are looking for in a property

<APPLAUSE>

We use our MLS-O-METER to narrow down the list of available properties to include only those that meet the buyer's criteria

<APPLAUSE>

We're here to help you find your dream! So...are we ready to play?

AUDIENCE: YES!!!

MARY: Okay...let's get started! Our first buyer contestant is Polly Preekwall...let's give her a big welcome, shall we?

AUDIENCE: WELCOME, POLLY!!!

MARY: Okay, Polly, you know the rules, so let's get started....

Question 1-What are you looking for in your dream home?

POLLY: Well, Mary, after 25 years of raising our family, my husband and I have found ourselves in an empty nest!

AUDIENCE: Awwwww.....

MARY: Aha..so the chicks have flown the coop, have they?

POLLY: They have, Mary, and we're hoping to find a great condo near a golf course to enjoy our golden years!

AUDIENCE: Awwwww....

MARY: Golden years, indeed, Polly! Congratulations on reaching that milestone! Now, tell me, what price range are you considering?

POLLY: Well, we'd like to stay between $250k and $300k, if possible.

MARY: No problem...Bob, enter the price range into the MLS-O-METER

BOB: You got it, Mary!

MARY: Now, Polly, what other features are you looking for?

POLLY: Well, at least two bedrooms...three might be better. We'd like to have the grandkids visit occasionally.

MARY: Bob...you know what to do!

BOB: 2+ BR...Check!

POLLY: On a golf course...

BOB: Way ahead of you, Polly, ha ha...way ahead of you!

POLLY: Covered parking?

MARY: Sure thing...anything else?

POLLY: Gosh...I've always dreamed of a gourmet kitchen...can I have that too?

MARY: You bet you can...Bob?

BOB: Now we're cooking, Ladies...heh heh!

MARY: Anything else?

POLLY: Nooo...I don't think so.

MARY: Alrighty, then...Let's crank up the MLS-O-METER and see what we find!

AUDIENCE: CRANK IT UP, CRANK IT UP!!!

<clickety-clickety-clickety-- DINGDINGDINGDINGDING!!>

MARY: Sounds like we have something, Bob!

BOB: Right you are Mary...here's the listing sheet!

MARY: Thank you, Bob! Polly...our MLS-O-METER has selected the perfect home for you...Are you ready to see it?

POLLY: Oh, Yes, Mary...Show me! Show me!!

MARY: Okay, Polly...here we go: We have a fabulous condo here...It's located in Dreamy Acres..

AUDIENCE: Oooooh!

MARY: 3 bedrooms...2 ½ baths....with...fabulously appointed gourmet kitchen featuring granite counters, custom cabinetry, professional stainless steel appliances...

<APPLAUSE & CHEERS>

MARY: Situated near the 14^th green, with beautiful view of the lake...and...ohmygosh, Polly...it has a Clubhouse! With an indoor playground, video arcade, movie theater, on-site masseuse, beauty salon, and "too much more to mention".

POLLY: Sounds perfect, Mary...but...is it in our price range?

MARY: Well, Polly, how does $249,900 sound?

<APPLAUSE>

POLLY: (tearfully) Oh, Mary, it's my dream! And the perfect price! I can't believe you found me my dream home! Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyou!

MARY: Well, Polly, that's what we do here...we make dreams come true!

<WILD APPLAUSE>

POLLY: I can't wait to tell my husband!

MARY: I'll bet! But don't forget, we have one more hurdle to cross....Bill, you know the drill...

BILL: You know I do, Mary...Here it comes...

(hands second sheet to Mary)

MARY: Okay, Polly, I have it here. The deciding factor! Will you or won't you get to see your dream home?

POLLY: Gosh, Mary, I'm so nervous...

MARY: Then let's get to it...We've satisfied all your requirements. I can see by your name that you are already qualified to buy. So, without further ado, let's see if you can pursue your dream....Audience?

AUDIENCE: IF THE COMMISSION PRICE IS RIGHT!!!!!

MARY: Polly, if the published commission is high enough, you may see this home. If not...well, you know how the game is played...

POLLY: Huh?

MARY: And the published commission is...........1.5%!!!

<LOUD, OBNOXIOUS BUZZER>

AUDIENCE: <Gasps> Ohhhhhhhh

POLLY: Huh??

MARY: I'm sorry, Polly. The published commission is below our minimum acceptable level of compensation...It's our policy to only show homes offering 3% or more. Not even close, I'm afraid...

POLLY: HUH????

MARY: What a shame! Well, Polly, thanks for playing. And don't worry, you're not leaving empty-handed! Bob, tell her what she's won!

BOB: Polly, as a token of our appreciation, you get a IF THE COMMISSION PRICE IS RIGHT travel mug, backpack, t-shirt and a copy of the Dreamy Acres area phone book with our compliments! You can use it to find an agent who doesn't care how much he or she is making on the deal.

POLLY: An agent who doesn't care?

MARY: Bob means you are free to locate an agent who will put your needs ahead of their own. We call them the Golden Rulers...<rolls eyes>...I'm sure they'll be able to help you find something suitable...even if it doesn't pay them as much as we know we're worth! Good Luck, Polly! And thanks again for playing...

AUDIENCE: IF THE COMMISSION PRICE IS RIGHT!!!

SEXY VOICEOVER: If you'd like to be a contestant on IF THE COMMISSION PRICE IS RIGHT! Send us your name, area of interest, financial statements, and, of course, your phone number. You just might be our next lucky Buyer on IF THE COMMISSION PRICE IS RIGHT!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Disclaimer: No game show hosts were harmed in the creation of this material. The opinions expressed and commission figures used are for illustrative purposes only. The author admits to a certain level of disdain for any agent who puts their own interests ahead of their customers' and clients'. Although inspired by actual events, any similarity to licensed real estate agents, whether living or dead, Realtors® or otherwise, is purely coincidental. Refer to the National Association of Realtors® for further information regarding the Realtors® Code of Ethics. http://www.realtor.org/realtororg.nsf/pages/codeofethics-consumerquestions

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Susan Haughton

Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA

Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

ROFL...I so love your disclaimer! LOL Classic.

Jul 14, 2009 11:47 AM

Wendy Montoya, REALTOR® Broker Associate, 254-315-4906

Towne Adams REALTORS - Waco, TX

Very clever. Good business meeting topic! And in that form!

Jul 14, 2009 11:59 AM

Jennifer Allan-Hagedorn

Sell with Soul - Pensacola Beach, FL

Author of Sell with Soul

Kim, this is fantabulous. Someday we're going to see your work in the movies. Looking forward to the reception from the AR crowd!

Jul 14, 2009 12:06 PM

Kim Brown

Keller Williams Realty - Keene, NH

Keene, NH - New England at its Best!

Susan--That's me...Classic Kim ROFL!!!

Wendy--Thanks! Feel free to borrow the format! ;-)

JA--That would be something, huh? I'll make sure all my CLSWS pals get passes to the premiere!

Jul 14, 2009 12:12 PM

Heather Oberhau

Prudential Fox & Roach - Newtown, PA

Bucks County Real Estate, e-PRO

Kim, can I be your assistant? We'll travel around together giggling. It'll be fun.

I agree that commission shopping is wrong to do to your Buyer. It's my opinion that a crappy co-op is the fault of the listing agent, and I wouldn't take it out on my Buyer.

Jul 14, 2009 12:58 PM

Kim Brown

Keller Williams Realty - Keene, NH

Keene, NH - New England at its Best!

Heather...We're of like minds on this one (big surprise!) Oh, and you're hired! You can do what you want, when you want. Except if we're scheduled to appear on Oprah...then you have to be by my side at all times, giggling, of course! ;-)

Jul 14, 2009 01:36 PM

Jesse Clifton

Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK

haha... Very clever! It's a shame that this is even an issue consumers have to deal with.

Jul 15, 2009 09:08 PM

Kim Brown

Keller Williams Realty - Keene, NH

Keene, NH - New England at its Best!

Jesse & Kathy--I agree, but there are consumers who are unaware, and it's up to us to let them know how things are supposed to work! Glad you enjoyed the post and I appreciate your stopping by!

Jul 16, 2009 12:04 AM

Mary Strang

Viroqua, WI

Kim Nice post, fun to read, but... thankfully I have not come across this type of problem in our market place. Do you have this going on in yours? I bet the majority of agents are of the Golden Rule variety.

Jul 16, 2009 12:47 AM

Kim Brown

Keller Williams Realty - Keene, NH

Keene, NH - New England at its Best!

Mary--I haven't come across the practice in my area. My post was inspired by another post I read in which the author said something to the effect that their MLS enabled them to filter searches based upon the amount of commission offered. The author then elaborated that this search capacity enabled brokers to determine whether or not they felt showing the property in question was worth the amount of compensation offered. (FYI..this was not the main subject of their post, but it was incorporated in it.) The more I thought about those statements, the more it bothered me. Not just because it violates the REALTOR Code of Ethics, but because it's just plain wrong!

I have to believe that most of us are "Golden Rulers". Sadly, I think we have all crossed paths with one or two Mary (or Marty) Meefursts, too. (Sorry for using your name as my example! ;-} )

Jul 16, 2009 01:22 AM

Diane Daley

Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Northumberland, NH

This was very well written; here in the north country the sellers do not understand way they should compensate buyer agents becuase the buyer did the hiring and they should pay... Always educating!

Jul 17, 2009 03:55 AM

Kim Brown

Keller Williams Realty - Keene, NH

Keene, NH - New England at its Best!

Diane--Thank you! I think the biggest part of our job is education. (I just like to have fun while I'm doing it ;-) )

Jul 17, 2009 04:47 AM

Mary Strang

Viroqua, WI

Diane, glad to hear that, also love the Meefursts as a last name. It is picture prefect for a certain agent I know.

Jul 19, 2009 03:55 AM

Bill Saunders, Realtor®

Meyers Realty - Hot Springs, AR

www.BillSellsHotSprings.com

Hey Kim...

Thank the Lord I am trying to catch up and found your post today. I am headed to another awe-inspiring sales meeting (z-z-z-z-z) and really needed something to make me smile. Now I will get asked, what's so funny..and...I'll tell them!

Have a great Day!!!

Aug 03, 2009 12:48 AM

Kim Brown

Keller Williams Realty - Keene, NH

Keene, NH - New England at its Best!

Bill--by all means, share! Have a nice snooze...I mean....a productive, inspiring morning and go out there and sell some real estate!

I hope you have a fabulous Monday, too, my dear SG! <smile>

Aug 03, 2009 01:17 AM

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Kim, So creative. Have you recorded it? Do you need a voice..would love to help. And your disclaimer is priceless.

Aug 24, 2009 02:00 AM

Kim Brown

Keller Williams Realty - Keene, NH

Keene, NH - New England at its Best!

Margaret--Thank you! I haven't recorded it, although that's a fabulous idea and would be a lot of fun to put together. If I decide to "take it to the next level", I'll be sure to shoot you an email. I'll bet you could suggest a few additional topics for me to work on, too!

hmmm....3Ds Productions Presents....

Thanks so much for stopping by and for giving me something very interesting to think about!

3Ds = Don't Do Dat!!! ;-)

Aug 24, 2009 11:15 AM

Michael Bergin

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - ABR - SRES - Alexandria, VA

Northern Virginia Real Estate

I just got through paying a computer tech a little over $250. He fixed the issues instead of putting a on a bandaid and offered great suggestions. Why would I want to negotiate for less? Same with commissions - you get what you pay for.

Michael

Oct 28, 2009 01:08 PM

Anonymous

Ruth Venezia

This posting has Broker approval and Kim is even better in real life!

Nov 13, 2009 04:09 AM

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