Okay, this could get controversial, and might also incur some wrath. We’ll see. As an independent broker, I enjoy a freedom to price my listings and services as I wish, and not according to my broker’s standard model.
With little overhead, I often offer my clients the savings that I would otherwise be paying to a broker or franchise. This may take the form of a buyer’s rebate upon close of escrow, or a listing fee that is lower than 5%.
Full fee agents will often tell consumers that Realtors who discount their fees are lesser sales people, or somehow not as good as their full fee counterparts. In the vast majority of cases, I think this is bunk.
When it comes to my listings, my seller and I discuss what type of marketing program is needed for the home. Some homes are going to sell within a few days of hitting the MLS, and others won’t. Having a one size fits all commission strategy honestly doesn’t make sense to me.
If my seller wants a lot of high end strategies, such as video, newspaper and magazine ads, and constant open houses, I will list at my top fee. With short sales, I charge a full commission due to the amount of work involved. If a clean listing that shows well is photographed well, I can usually sell that home within a week – and price accordingly.
Similarly with buyers, the time frames involved with each buyer can be radically different. With today’s technology, a buyer is likely to have picked out the homes they are interested in, and are ready to write offers when we meet. Other buyers may take a year or more to find a home and close a deal. There is no one size fits all.
As an independent professional, my fees and strategies are determined primarily by client needs, not the needs of my franchise or corporate entity. By making my business model about my clients, I convey an authenticity and transparency that my clients have come to trust.
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