Special offer

Think Value Instead Of Cheap

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

Apple KnockoffMany real estate agents, especially young ones, think they have to cut their commissions to get business. You have to have more pride in yourself and not CHASE business. Imitation can be a sincere form of flattery with products or services that copy the best but think of YOURSELF as the best too. not just cheaper. You are worthy of what you ask. If not, go find some other clients that see that in you.

It is so true with consumers buying products or services, that you get what you pay for. Don't over pay for something but don't under pay either. Reliability, performance, QUALITY of something all adds up to VALUE. I talked to an air conditioner hardware supplier this past weekend and we both named on ONE hand all the good models. Then we went into names we BOTH had never even seen at a house. You buy them you roll the dice with total cost of ownership, VALUE, that this product will be good for you.

Think of yourself as TOP NOTCH in real estate. BE top notch, and don't flinch on what you offer and that you are WORTH IT. If you are farm and ranch or horse property, or luxury, or beach condo, or commercial, or general residential for an area, or short sales and distresed properties, or golf course communities or Active Adult retirement TELL PEOPLE why you are worth every penny for your skills. YOU ARE you know and you don't have to even fake it. IT IS YOUR PASSION.

Again, emphasize VALUE. Your ideal client will be attracted to what you offer!!!

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

I just worked on the other side of an agent who ADVERTISES on her website "HALF of my commission goes back to buyer"!  During the whole transaction this buyer kept asking and asking and expecting our side to allow entry and disturb the tenants, seller, me (gated community). I finally put a stop to it after 4 painter/blind/carpet guys and then they wanted to go in and MEASURE AGAIN.  NOPE....liability and it's not theirs yet.  The last straw was another request to go in with the PLUMBER!  

Appreciative?  Nope....give some people some...and they run and run and run with it until a plug is pulled.

Why did this happen?  Because they were given the impression that the agent is not worth it...because they were willing to give half of their hard earned money up just to get a sale.

Jun 04, 2012 02:47 AM
Bruce Hicks
Best Homes Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Your Best Hawaii Realtor!

Great article, love that photo! A majority of my client base is Chinese, Japan, far east.  Most of them, their favorite word is 'cheap'.  Quality is a rare word for them.

Jun 04, 2012 02:52 AM
Marty & Jaclyn Reiswig
GoodFit Homes (with Keller Williams) - Centennial, CO
Specialty: First-timers

Good advice, Gary. RUN, don't walk, from clients who want to give you a commissionoscopy. I work hard, I'm a darn good agent, and I'm worth it.

Jun 04, 2012 02:54 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Well said!    Excellent advice!

Jun 04, 2012 02:58 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Like the saying goes. "I was born an original and I don't plan on dying a cheap copy." After all when God made us he threw the mold away. We all have value. God sees our values but sometimes people don't.

Jun 04, 2012 03:12 AM
Lee & Pamela St. Peter
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC
Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

Gary... you always have such great advice to pass along - and this is no exception!  And it holds true for new or seasoned agents alike.  Value over price will win the race day in and day out! 

Hope all is well in your world!
 

Pamela

Jun 04, 2012 03:18 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Self worth so very important ! If you don't think you are worth it who will??  Very good post Gary !

Jun 04, 2012 04:25 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Gary,

The tendency by some to hold their knowledge in such low esteem by giving away their hard earned commission will always be troubling for the industry. As we all know, cheaper is not always better.

Rich

Jun 04, 2012 04:32 AM
Than Maynard
Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK
Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

Cutting commission is so easy when getting the listing, but it sure hits in the end. Especially when that easy transaction turns into a nightmare.

You must establish your value and show them you are worth it, besides many of them will list anyway if you refuse to cut your rate.

Jun 04, 2012 04:55 AM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Gary, That is a great post for all agents!  We should realize that it costs to take listings, advertising and such comes out of our pockets whether the home sells or not, so we shouldn't discount our price just to take a listing!

Jun 04, 2012 05:14 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Excellent - Excellent and now suggested!

Jun 04, 2012 06:34 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Act cut rate and that is the type of clientel you will attract. 

Successful people want to work with successful people!

Jun 04, 2012 07:58 AM
Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Hi Gary -  So true. It's funny, but the folks who think I am a bargain at full commission because of the service I give, are usually the ones that turn out to be the easiest to work with.  Those who start demanding up front that I cut commissions (I don't do it) are usually demanding, hard to reach, and a general pain in the neck all the way through.  Thank goodness those are few and far between, and most of my clients are appreciative and send me referrals and/or are repeat clients.  I do earn my pay and then some, because that's what I believe in.  If you want me, you will pay what I charge, which is no higher than the average.

Jun 04, 2012 09:54 AM
Paula Swayne
Dunnigan, Realtors, Sacramento (916) 425-9715 - Sacramento, CA
Realtor-Land Park, East Sac & Curtis Park -Dunniga

Hi Gary~

You hit a sore spot with me...this is my biggest challenge...and I have been in the business 17 years.  I have made it my mission to start asking what I am worth...and I do believe I am one of the good guys.
Paula Swayne

Jun 04, 2012 03:39 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

You got it right.  People buy because of you and the value you convey.  If you get into price, you are no longer promoted your value but rather becoming a commodity.

Jun 05, 2012 06:46 AM