Originally Posted by rlb
All real estate commissions are negotiable, and in all personal services contracts, you normally "get what you pay for". If you are hiring a lawyer to protect you, do you pick the one that gives you "mileage" or do you choose the one that will do the best job and get you out of whatever mess you got yourself into? . If you are selling your top asset- why would you not employ the best money can buy. Or when you want to invest your hard earned money, don’t you want the best representation you can get? Or, the fact you can take a mileage trip more important? Wouldn’t it be better for you to save $2,000 or make $2,000 more- and pay for first class tickets?
Why would you call a stranger, that has probably never been to the area that you are, or going to, and has no personal experience except to look up on a list and find someone who has agreed to pay them for the phone call.
Someone "pays" for those mileage points- and normally it is the Realtor who does the work. Who ever "refers" you to that licensee- requires a fee of from 25% to 35% of your side of the sale or listing, and maybe additionally the cost of the points too- those things too are negotiable.. but do not think that the Realtor does not know, they do.
When you are making your decision- think of what ever line of work you are in, and if your "boss" ( that is what you are when you hire a Realtor) came to you, and said, I want you to do the best job you can, give me 100% of your time and expertise, I want to call you late at night, Sunday morning, and when it convenient to me- and I want to pay you 35% less than you get for any other job, because I want some mileage points. Now, what would be your first response? Some food for thought. - RB
Speaking out of both sides here, I see. To start you say "all contracts are neg" but then follow it up with "you get what you pay for". Do you somehow believe that if you work a deal with a Real Estate Professional and they give you miles or a break in the % fee, that'll you'll get less of an effort for this "professional". Likewise, if you didnt negociate and took the full brunt of the real estate fee do you someone get a better effort from the agent?
Obviously, you arent familiar with a slowing housing market. When things start to get tight, you'd be suprised at the willingness of quality RE agents to drop their prices/fees or add mileage to get more competitive. Also what does that say about the character of someone who willingly negs a better rate with you or adds miles to the mix, then gives less than 100%?
Ken in Phx