OK, I know you are asking, "Todd, you are joking right? Where are you taking this?"
Well, here it goes.
Have you ever heard that when you buy furniture you should always take it home with you right from the store and never have it delivered? If you haven't you had better start doing it that way! The reason why is a lot of furniture stores go out of business all the time and did you know that if you order the furniture, pay for it and they file bankruptcy they have no obligation to deliver it, even though they have your money!
Now, let us look at selling your home. Most agents do all the work up front, then hope to get paid and the only way to do that is if your home sells. If they stop working, then they more than likely, won't get paid, even if they file for bankruptcy. But, recently I've seen agents asking for a retainer like lawyers do and they use that for their advertising and overhead and then get paid the remainder at close. In some cases, I've even seen the whole commission paid up front.
So, what does that do for you if they go bankrupt or leave the business? It leaves you without your furniture home sold and out a lot of money with no recourse. When I list a home, I spend a lot of money marketing it and I expect to get paid for a job well done. That is why I don't take every listing that is offered to me by
sellers, if I can't sell it, I won't list it! Why would I spend thousands of dollars to list your home, so I won't get paid?
So don't hire a furniture salesman, hire a professional that won't get paid unless you do!
For more information on selling your home in Beaverton, Oregon please contact me anytime.
Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard.
All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.
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Todd, we suggest a 1% retainer on listings that have a pricing channel that is too small. I doorknocked a neighborhood for an agent yesterday. List price was $220,000 and last week it dropped to $185,000. Just based on the feedback from doorknocking, I've recommended seriously thinking about dropping the price another $10,000 next week.
What happens to the agents on other homes in this area that put work into doing everything possible to move their clients' listing when we are bringing our price down to market based on a new market? Those agents, if they gave the right pricing channel to their clients, will probably end up below the "lowest" acceptable offer and lose their listing. Especially since I've picked up another potential lister at below $200,000.
I'm just asking and not forcing the issue. Your insight has and will be appreciated.
Todd - I saw your comment on my 'million dollar' blog - and wanted to thank you ...........What a cool idea........to do the RV and different campsite - think - that would be the trip of a lifetime for your family wouldn't it? :-) I also checked out your website.......and was touched by its uniqueness and its pesonal quality.........very nice!
Also a retainer? Wow now isn't that a great concept......I was wondering how long it would take for us as realtors to work so extensively with no compensation, so much of the time........hmmmm.......thats something to think about!
Greg - I have yet to find someone who hasn't shown me it wasn't a net loss on the sale itself, yet they say they pick up buyers to make it up... Not sure if that is a great business model.
Jonelle - They think it isn't, but I would rather have my good name than take an overpriced listing!
Matt - I agree 100%
Royal - I'm glad I could change your way of thinking about it.
Mark - Lowering the price based on door knocking the nieghborhood, I love it! What a great way to show yourself as the neighborhood expert also.
Liz - If they want me to take the listing, I need to get paid something or I will be out of the business.
Jimmy - Most people don't realize that if you don't get it and they go out of business, you will lose all your money you put toward it.
Patricia - I think the previous brokerage keeps the money unless it has already been given out.