Can’t figure out the title? Let me explain.
It usually starts with a phone call. “I have a property at xxx Atlantic Avenue that I’m looking to sell.” That always gets my immediate attention. Oh boy, a listing!
“Would you like to list the property?”, I ask in anticipation.
“Well, no, I don’t want to list it with a realtor,” he’ll say, “I’m calling all the realtors on the island to let them know I’ll pay a three percent commission to anyone who brings me a buyer.”
I slump in my seat, the hair standing up on my back. I’m pissed.
“Are you saying that you are NOT going to list with a local realtor?”, I shoot back. I’ve have this same type phone call a dozen times a year so I go right on the offensive.
“No, but let me tell you all about my property in case you have a buyer.”
“Don’t bother,” I retort. “In a couple days I won’t even remember your name or the property address. List it with a local realtor – it doesn’t have to be us – and your property will get the attention it deserves.”
“No, I’m going to sell it myself. I don’t need a realtor,” he says. Of course if he doesn’t need a realtor, why is he calling all of us? Answer – he thinks he can entice some realtor to help him save half the commission expense.
“Well, good luck,” I say in a pleasant voice. “If you decide to list the property, consider Jewell Real Estate Agency.” Then I hang up.
I sit at my desk and hope the other realtors on our island understand the implications of helping this guy out. We are cheating one of our colleagues out of a three percent commission – usually about $10,000 – by going along with this guy’s scheme. Times haven’t been tough enough on agencies that we should help cut each other’s throats?
And so I say to prospective sellers: Feel free to use us as realtors, but don’t use us to achieve your ends while depriving realtors of their fair commission. We’re professionals. We work hard at our craft. We’re constantly educating ourselves.
Treat us in our business as you’d expect us to treat you in yours. Is that too much to ask?
- Mountain Man
Tags: Jewell Real Estate Agency, Mountain Man and City Girl, New Jersey real estate blog, real estate blog