Stop Choosing Agents Based On Cheap Fees

Sellers often misunderstand what agents charge. The assumption is that all agents are the same. They select the discount agent. They believe they are smart. If one charges less and the other is higher, they pick Agent A. The math says money in the pocket. This is dangerous math. The discount broker is usually the most expensive eventually. How? They achieve a lower price. The difference in your sale price dwarfs than the small saving.

Use logic. If an agent cannot negotiate their own money, how can they defend your house price? They don't. They fold instantly. When the heat is on, the discounter says: "Take it." They want volume. The last dollar doesn't matter. Brad Smith pushes for more. We know our worth.

I witness owners locally lose $20,000 or $30,000 for a small discount. It breaks my heart. You have one shot. You want the top dollar. You pay for performance. If the agent gets a premium, and I cost $5,000 more, you make more profit. That is the net result. Look at the net, not what you pay.

You Get What You Pay For

There is a difference between cheap and good. A Kia and a Ferrari differ greatly. Salespeople are the same. Some are basic. They put it on the internet and hope. That is zero skill. You could do that.

A negotiator markets proactively. We call buyers. We advise on presentation. We market aggressively. And most importantly: we close. When the offer is "$600,000 is my limit", the order taker writes it up. I know how to squeeze. That extra $20,000 is pure profit. That is performance.

Budget brokers rely on volume. They must sell many to survive. They rush to maximize your price. They treat you like a number. I limit my listings. To give attention for you. I charge correctly to serve you best. Don't be a number.

How Negotiation Skills Impact Your Pocket

It isn't shouting. It is influence. Knowing silence and when to listen. Reading people. Using leverage. A master pushes the price willingly. We use scripts to get the max.

It is learned to get right. It is gold. You engage us for this reason. Not for the sticker. You pay us to talk cash. If they are scared, you lose. They ask for reductions instead of lifting the buyer. Simpler to beat you down than to push a buyer. Bad agents lower price. Pros increase offers.

Ask the agent: "Give me an example a deal you did." Watch them. Should they say "It sold quick," run away. You want to hear "I created a bidding war." Hire that one. I love the deal. I guarantee it.

Marketing Budgets: Who Pays For What?

Cheap agents often offer "advertising included." Great deal? Wrong. Nothing is free. When it is included, they go cheap. You get the small ad. Cheap snaps. Basic board. The reason? it is coming out of their pocket. They save money.

To get top dollar, you need premium marketing. Highlight ad. Drone shots. Floorplans. Facebook boost. It isn't cheap. It reaches more people. More buyers = more competition. Demand equals value. Cutting ad spend and fail to reach someone, it costs you value. That is bad math.

My strategy is you pay for ads. No corners cut. We do it properly to sell well. Your investment. Give it the best chance. Don't scrimp for a small saving. It drives the sale.

The False Promise Of A High Price

A common scam of desperation is over-quoting. They promise your home is worth $700k when reality is lower. They do this to flatter you. They get the listing out of greed. Later, it doesn't sell. They blame the market. They reduce it to $600k. You get market value after wasting time.

You chose the fake. The honest agent who was accurate was rejected. Don't punish honesty. If the price seems high a crazy number, ask for proof. Show me the sales. Without proof, they are faking. Brad Smith gives honest appraisals. I base it on facts. My price might be less, I hit the target. We beat it through negotiation, not by lying at the start.

Be aware. There are tricks. Choose honesty. Select the person reality, not what you want to hear. That is the partner who will actually sell your home for the max.

The Interview Checklist For Sellers

When interviewing, quiz them:
1. Explain negotiation.
2. Prove your results.
3. How view details details do you auction?.
4. Why is your fee higher/lower?.
5. What is your marketing strategy?.

Their answers will tell you everything. If they stumble, don't hire them. If they are confident, hire them. If they drop their fee as soon as you ask, don't hire them. If they give away their money, they will give away yours.

Grill me. Challenge me. I have the answers. I deliver. Let's work together. Not on price, I am the value choice. Quality pays for itself in the end.