Thinking Outside the Box

That expression came up twice today.

Once at a listing appointment, where a seller asked the potential listing agent to "go outside the box" with them. 

Next, in a blog post on Active Rain, by Robin Willis, where she suggests a client used this phrase looking for an agent to help them with an underhanded deal.  Read her post, it was interesting (http://activerain.com/blogsview/797763/Real-Estate-License-for-Sale).

Why are people in such a hurry to get outside the box?  What is in the box that is making them uncomfortable? 

I think today's real estate market requires more "in the box" thinking.  Going back to basics.  Understanding the market and acting accordingly.  Knowing the inventory (competition), understanding value (as a buyer views it) and using ALL of today's resources to market that home to the biggest pool of potential buyers you can find for that specific home.  I think the days of listing a home on the MLS and waiting for someone else to sell it are gone, much to the chagrin of companies that offer to simply put homes on the MLS for a flat fee.

A listing agent actually working hard to market and sell a listing? Is that out of the box?  I don't think so, at least it shouldn't be.