Is it still true you have to "List to Last"?

Good morning Dorie. Thank you for sharing some of your history, Your area is fortunate to have you as the go to Realtor to list with.

I like both listings and buyers; I love the smile on a buyers face when they realize they are now a homeowner!

Listing agent is the queen/king control the market in my area. The buyer agent may have clients until after a few tries buyers decided to go to listing agent direct strike a deal.  To retain a buyer is an art here.  

I heard that too when I got started. I have always been more of a listing agent. If you have listings you are always in business even when you are on vacation. Good post Dorie.

a self-made woman this Dorie Dillard is...thank you for sharing D.D.

Dorie,
While there are inherent advantages to listing I find that my buyer clients are the ones who are far more likely to be really vocal in their appreciation, telling everyone they know how much I helped them.

Dorie I agree that you do have to list to last unless you are strictly a buyer agent. I work more with sellers in most situaitons however most of my sellers are also buyers and I do sell them their home.  Having a team of agents affords me the time to work directly with my seller (who is also a buyer) and the sign, internet and ad calls go to my team agents.  This works for me as well as my clients.  

It depends on the market. In a buyers' market that would not be an easy model to maintain. I used to think I liked listings better, but I really enjoy working with buyers, although in today's sellers' market this can be challenging.  I love the way you have built your well-earned reputation.

I am still striving to strike more of a better balance between the two - my business is about 80% buyers.  

Dorie Dillard listing agent still dictates the market  - so this is a great advice for newbies.

They may have heard of 'LIST TO LAST' - now they know your success story, too.

Motto has changed - You must List SALABLE Properties to Last !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Listings will always be the life's blood of a real estate company.  We do need good  buyers agents no doubt,  but a good listing  agent is  indispensable t a brokerage.  Shout out to Floyd Wickman!   Floyd  too taught me the buisness and the secrets of real estate. 

I am a buyers agent working for a team of listing agents and I just perfer it. I work with 10 different personalities at a time for the most part and it is always interesting.

Dorie, I like your ratio of 70-30 - it is a great ratio for a strong listing agent to keep track of the market while doing what they love best - the listing side.

I like the balance of working with both sellers and buyers, but my ratio, like yours, is often tipped toward more listings--about 70 - 30% YTD.  

Dorie, I like your ratio a lot better than I like my own, which is the exact opposite!  I've begun to think of my buyer clients as listings.  And right now we are in a bit of a shift in out market.

I enjoy working with Listings, Thanks for sharing an informative post.

Good luck and success.

Kathy Hyatt

I happen to love buyers. For one thing, I can service considerably more buyers at once than listings...and do a good job. But it's a preference and I do many listings as well. 

One of the keys to our success is their ability to control and dominate listings.

Dorie, we'll take whatever business comes our way. Our focus is selling and downsizing or right sizing. So there are both sales and buys.

I love your SOLD sign and think we might have to try something like that!