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Agents-A HOT Topic?

By
Real Estate Agent with Homequest Real Estate

 

   LockLock us up and throw away the key....well that's how seems to me!

Real Estate,The Real Estate Market, The Boom, The Bubble.... these have been the subjects for Media coverage for some time now!

Seller's Market, Buyers Market, For Sale By Owner, Foreclosures, Shoddy Lending...these are the Buzz Words of late!

We as Realtors and NAR our organization invest a huge chunk of our resources into Marketing and Image. Yet it can all dissolve in a blink with a Sensationalized, Inaccurate and/or Slanted "Expose"

 We, as Agents seem to be the latest in Hot Topics. Stories about Greed, Sleazy Salesman and Cafeteria Style Real Estate  salesmanare saturating the tube. "Experts" giving advice on how not to pay a Commission how to Drive a Tough Bargain and how to "Get a Deal". Sure don't need us!

 

  WHAT ARE THEY THINKING???

  SELLERS; You need to know that selling your home is probably one of the most Emotional Experiences you will ever have...it is not just your house. It is your HOME and it is holding your Memories and Family History. You need to work with a Realtor because we are Not Emotionally Invested in Your Property. We can look at it Knowledgeably and Objectively and can guide you through Value, Sales Price, Home Inspections, Un-emotional Negotiating and Closing Procedures. We are there to serve YOUR BEST INTEREST.

  Do we expect a Commission? Yes. Commission pays for Advertising, Showing,Knowledge, Experience, Advice and Guidance with a little hand holding and re-assurance thrown in. It also pays your Agent, his/her Broker, the Selling Agent and his/her Broker. Paying Commission is paying for Services Rendered and is collected only AFTER the job is done!

 

  BUYERS: You need to know that, outside of a possible retainer,....we cost you Nothing. Our Commission (with the exception of FSBO's) is paid through the Selling side of the transaction. You are not saving money, getting a better deal or improving your odds....by working on your own. And why would you? This is possibly the biggest Investment you will make in your Lifetime. You seek the advice of Experts when Buying a Car, Taking a Trip or Catering a Wedding.Why would you do any less when Buying a Home

  Your Agent will be working For You and With You. You are a Team. A team with the Goal of finding you your piece of "The American Dream"

 

 DO YOURSELVES A FAVOR

  Take the Stories, Reports and Expose's you are seeing on TV for what they are... Entertainment!

  Use the Information to ask Intelligent Questions. That's the Key!keys

  Do yourselves a Favor....and work with a Realtor!

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NH's Four Seasons 

                                                                
Joan Mirantz - Joni is a Realtor® with Homequest Real Estate, a locally owned, Customer Service oriented Firm.
Joan Publishes a monthly Newsletter "Food For Thought" under the pen name Realtor Sherpa.
(Joan also answers to Miz Maven and Miss Joni.)

Joan works in Buyer and Seller Representation with concentrations in the Merrimack Valley Area and towns surrounding Concord NH - the Capital City.
"I love what I do, and it shows in how I do it"

Having crossed over to the "other side of Middle Age" herself....Joan is an ongoing source of information about local programs, facilities and issues specific to her peers! 

 
Livin' the Life...and Ridin' the Wave

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Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area
Excellent post Joan! I wish the media would report it that way as well!
Jun 20, 2007 01:58 PM
Gary Bolen
McCall Realty - South Lake Tahoe, CA
CRS - Lake Tahoe Real Estate Information
Thanks for your thoughts. Media coverage is a problem for all of us right now. When it changes, as it will, that will be much better. We'd rather it was just always the truth, without hype, hysteria or spin. Come to think of it, that applies to just about everything, including who's running this country, which is a very good place to start. That said, don't you think that would take care of most of what we're dealing with in our industry too? Thanks for sharing and appreciate very much your thoughts.
Jun 20, 2007 02:03 PM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire
Thanks Monika...I saw another one of those RE Market Reports the other morning and it sort feels like rowing against the wind!
Jun 20, 2007 02:06 PM
Lori Lincoln And Associates
Top Agent Serving Dighton Taunton, Rehoboth and more! - Taunton, MA
Top Agent Taunton,Dighton Rehoboth &more

It really is troublesome that the general public is getting the impression from the media that we don't deserve to make a living! What if we did that to them. Our smart buyers and sellers know better.

I recently had one seller tell me, after the closing, that they were pre-foreclosure and I deserved every penny! So I helped them save their credit so that when they are back on their feet, they can buy a home again.

Jun 20, 2007 02:10 PM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

It wouldn't seem quite as one sided if they had an NAR Rep on at the same time to refute or agree whichever fit!

As for the hype or spin...I sure hope it's unblinking acceptance isn't a sign of the Future!

Jun 20, 2007 02:10 PM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Terriffic Lori,

I hope they are on your Mailing List!

That's one of those situations that make it all worthwhile...they will be saying nice things about you forever!

Jun 20, 2007 02:15 PM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO
Joan- great reminder for both buyers and sellers.  Now, if we can just eliminate the real estate behavior that adds to the fire and gives credence to negativity, we'll be golden!  Thanks for the post- as always, a great read!
Jun 20, 2007 11:22 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Joan, those are all excellent points.  In spite of what the media writes I wonder if homeowners really think they can do the best job for themselves selling their own home (?).  I would never even think about it, I certainly don't know enough about it to negotiate to sell my own home.  I wonder what the statistics are for FSBO as far as selling---is that information available?
Jun 21, 2007 01:10 AM
Sue Argue
Staged First Impressions - Hampton, NH
NH Home Stager
Joan, now YOU are pumped up!! Keep the spirit going...it's contagious!!
Jun 21, 2007 01:19 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Thanks laurie...I just heard again in a blurb this AM there's going to be another "Report" this week not sure which Network. But this one is touting "how you don't need to pay a commission" 

I wonder if they consider the consequences of putting a whole segmant of the population out of work?

Jun 21, 2007 07:45 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Carole...I doubt that there are FISBO statistics. NAR would have no way to track them. But I do know there are fewer in this kind of Market...They don't want to spend what it takes to market a House for an extended period of time...too costly.

We aren't seeing too many these days!

Jun 21, 2007 07:48 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire
Sue...lets hope some of the "Spirit" rubs off on all those nervous Buyers out there!
Jun 21, 2007 07:50 AM