Exhibit A Why We'll Always Need Real Estate Brokerage

Phil~~  Love this post.  One of my agents is dealing with a seller who is trying to sell on his own.  What a mess...he is asking for 15% down and said if they don't have that much money--then they shouldn't be buying a house....ugh!!!

One mans trash is another man's treasure! I 198% believe that everyone needs an agent to asist them in their transactions regardless of how many times they have bought/sold.  Stuff changes DAILY.

With this attitude so clearly voiced by the lookie-loo, there's probably nothing that will please.  Maybe that's why they're looking solo?  Ran their agent ragged?  And if people look ONLY at the negatives they aren't really capable of seeing the positives.  We try to get a balance of perspectives, at least I try.

People became "experts" right after the internet was invented by Al Gore.  I usually ignore stupid comments - they are too opinionated and npt factual

It's both hilarious and pitiful that someone would think that just because there's a few cars at a house that it's a bad neighborhood.

Phil, 

Very well said.  I am not worried about the future of Realtors.  As many fields it will continue to evolve.  I will just be evolving with it.  The factors that will influence folks continuing to need us are many.  If it was just about crunching numbers and opening doors, we wouldn't be needed, but that's not it.  

While many folks want to save $$, it's ironic that in many cases, that actually costs them a lot more.  

Smart folks have the right folks help them make results happen - in real estate and many other fields.

All the best, Michelle

Hey J Phil,

Thanks for this post.  It's frustrating how many people have a poor regard for the value of the work we do.  Then I end up having to justify my value time and time again.  Real estate professionals facilitate a VERY IMPORTANT part of our basic freedoms - the transfer of property ownership.  That has HUGE VALUE!

Best of success to you this year! 

I love when real estate investors say no to me when it comes for assistance-they need someone to guide them.

I run a company that assists FSBO's on the MLS.  It amazes me how many realtors convince themselves that a fsbo can't do it or how many unethical realtors there are who try to list my client's (FSBO) that are already listed.  Nothing against realtors, I am one. But I know it is not brain surgery.  I worked with many sellers and buyers as a traditional realtor.  However, there are people who can sell on their own, I have many clients who did. 

Some people can't handle selling on their own and those people should use a realtor to help them.  But don't say the world can't go around without a realtor because it does. 

Phil, I'll bet you could write a book about your train wreck experiences and it would be a best seller!! Can't wait to hear you on Thursday :)

Sharon

Phil - It's hard to replace the advice, knowledge and experience of a good real estate agent, and it sounds like this woman will find this out the wrong way.

Phil, the first lesson I teach my buyers is to understand the difference between data and interpretation of the same data i.e. valuable information. If they get it, I am with them and if they don't. they take their data with them - and perhaps hunt for another agent who may be willing to share their compensation with them.

It's the little things that aren't seen.

I had a seller who just wanted to take the initial offer and be done with it.  I said to counter so that the buyer doesn't think they came in too high. So I got him $6000 more on a $200,000 home.  I earned my keep just by sending over a counter offer.

Philip

The scenario reminded me of a favorite TV shows from years ago - "Kids say the Darndest Things" hosted by Bill Cosby.

Seems that buyers, and sellers, do as well. We might laugh, but sometimes it ain't funny, and is even downright scary.

No doubt some folks can navigate buying and selling without an agent. But it's a small percentage and numerous polls and surveys show that consumers still find a qualifed REALTOR of value.

Jeff

Well said, J. P.  I'm amazed at how many experts there are cruising the housing market.  Not too many seem to be buying, but they are full of "expert" advice.  

I kept seeing this post on your webinar today and had to finish reading it in its entirety. She's clearly not a neighborhood expert and could use your advice. What did you say????

Great post... learned a lot from you today... looking forward to learning more.. Beth

Hi Phil... great post and to the point... nowadays there is so much information out there on the Web (information  that is at times incorrect, incomplete, or outright false and misleading)... tempting many people to buy and sell real estate without the assistance of a broker... and some (very few) actually pull it off on their own... the majority however realizes very quickly that they are better off with the help of someone that handles this type of transaction on a regular basis... the numbers don't lie in the end... and if it were that simple we, the real estate agents & brokers, wouldn't be around anymore... wouldn't we?!

Actually I believe that this problem can be found in more than just the real estate industry.