How To Get The Most Out Of Your Realtor

   Or how to use a Realtor to get the most out of those high commissions you pay for! I know I'll catch some flack for this, but here it goes. Now putting on my flame suit! After weathering the past 7 years actively in this highly volatile market place, and still making money, I've learned a lot from my clients. Mostly "Don't Be Greedy" when I hear another agent say "I don't give away my commissions" my first thought is well you probably won't last long in this business! It's not a "give away" it's the reason we get paid a large commission, use it to get the deal closed! The Devil is in the details or for Real Estate it's a thousand reasons why this deal won't close escrow.

   First off my job is not to just open doors and I am not a mind reader, I can't pick your dream home out of 50 listings. I will listen to what he says and what she says and can eliminate the obvious not negotiable priority's for you the buyer. The inventory has changed so rapidly, the last seven years, I will rarely even have time to preview homes before I open doors. This is the easy part, I only have my time and gas money, oh and all the dues and fees, insurance, I pay annually to have the magic key to open doors for buyers.

   The next part after making an offer and having it accepted, is where I will spend most of my time. I already have preapproval letters for the buyers and checked with their lender for DU approval in writing and for POF. Now the plot thickens, Home Inspections and the Wood Destroying Pest report bring in more negotiating. Request for Repairs is sent over, buyer has reviewed seller disclosures and Natural Hazard Disclosures are on the table. If seller is selling "as is" and the buyers want some repairs that are "Lender Required" someone has to step up or the deal dies. Or seller refuses to pay for a Home Warranty? For peace of mind I think it is worth not getting a call from my buyer, "the hot water heater, ac or whatever crashed" and now has to be replaced! You didn't tell me it was old, gonna break, bad condition?? How would I know? A one Year Home Warranty is a great way to say Thank You and is "Peace Of Mind" for me, sigh.   

   My motto for survival has always been "50% of something is better than 100% of nothing"!!! I work for a 100% commission broker, so I can help my clients and maybe make them glad they chose to work with me and will refer my services to their Friends. If it means keeping the deal going, I will take a cut in my commission to see it through to the end. The things I have contributed to, in order for a closed escrow, astounds even me.  If you don't ask you probably won't get help from your Realtor.