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DEBATE: Real Estate Innovation OR Real Estate Sell Outs!

By
Real Estate Agent with MungoList.com
Hello, my name is Robert Nichols and I am the Co-Founder of Bentley Real Estate Group and Sharp Buyers, Both located in Boston Massachusetts. I have been active in real estate as an investor and agent for the past two and a half years. About 3 months ago, my business partner and I started seeing more and more media coverage about real estate rebates and discount brokerage firms all over the country. This spawned excessive conversation between myself and other industry professionals in my network. The two most extreme perspectives that were expressed can be summed up as follows.
Perspective #1 – Real Estate is a profession not a hobby. Agencies that participate in giving rebates are eroding the industry from its core. Clients who receive rebates should understand that the level of service they receive is going to be compromised due to the agents need to maximize the commission. Rebates will eventually lead to the end of the industry as we currently know it, and be replaced with unskilled agents.
Perspective #2 – The Real Estate industry is changing and with the power of the Internet it has never been easier for consumers to buy or sell a home on their own. As a result, brokers and agents need to change with the times by giving clients a broader range of real estate services. Rebate agreements are great because the client’s involvement allows the agent to spend less time being a taxi driver and more time closing deals.
These conversations led us to create Sharp Buyers, a Real Estate Rebate Referral Network. It is our attempt to leverage the opposing views. It is the perfect tool for brokerage firms that do not want to advertise rebates or spend money going after these clients, but still want to remain competitive in a changing market. It also gives you the flexibility to establish the terms required for clients to qualify for a rebate. What are your thoughts on Rebates?
Short link:
https://activerain.com/droplet/gmMj Copy
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discussion
Michael I. Pulskamp
Mainstreet Brokers - Jackson, CA
REALTOR, EcoBroker, GREEN Desingnee

It looks like you have developed a nice referral system, I think that the wording might need a bit of tweaking (Broker gets the commission, then he or she disperses it.) but other than that looks good.

I will discuss this with my broker.

Aug 18, 2007 03:02 PM