Gizmo

Hi, I actually decided on a listing broker that wasn't the 2 choices mentioned below. I wanted to list it for only 1 month and then take it off the market before it went "stale" and then maybe relist it next year. I don't think many brokers were willing to do that... but this one group at Douglas Elliman is really, really excited and thinks the apt can sell in a month and is willing to sign a 1 month exclusive. Plus, they were the most prepared when they showed up. They did research on the comps, checked out the competition in my building that are also up for sale and priced below ours (but our apt is better with much more extensive renovation). They came and did a presentation that was both enthusiastic, prepared, sharp, analytical and persuasive. I also went on their website and checked out their past closings and what listings they have currently. It seemed like an aggressive group (not being pushy with me but in terms of marketing) with a lot of experience. I liked what I saw. So I am going to list with that group.

Thank you for the responses. They were vvery helpful. - Wed Oct 26, 2011

Don't they usually have similar marketing plans? I meant one agent is a SVP at Prudential with a strong closing history and has 12 listings (including 5 in the $2-4 million range and will probably assign my $800K apt to a junior person to hold open houses and the other is a SVP at Nestseekers who also has a good closing history (just not as many) and has 3 listings and will do more "personal" work. I like them both. I just have no idea what I'm supposed to base my decision on. As for the firms they belong to -- Nestseekers has a better glossy, fancy marketing tools but Prudential seems to have more market power and connections. I don't know what all this means since I haven't a clue as to how brokers attract buyers and buyer's brokers. - Fri Oct 21, 2011

Are you being funny? Isn't that what i asked? - Fri Oct 21, 2011

Kelly, thank you for a detailed, informative answer. The agent I have in mind is vey experienced and is a VP at Nestseekers. He closed a few of his listings recently so I think he is on the lookout for more listings (he has 3 others). My pointed question is what buyer's broker would like better: to get 3% commission and co-broke (do half the work according to you) or to get 4% commission and deal with the hassle of FSOB. - Sat Oct 22, 2011

Zita, I understand what you're saying. In this case, my listing broker is willing to accept 2% and give the buyer's broker 3% so it won't adversely hurt the buyer's broker. My question is -- is that better than me trying to sell it on my own but offering buyer's broker 4% commission? If I post 4% commission on NYTimes and Streeteasy, will that be enough to get broker's attention to bring their buyers over without me having to list on REBNY. - Sat Oct 22, 2011

Gail, I'm not clear on what you're saying. You're saying that an agent who will list my property at 5% co-broke will be ostracized because it is an understood custom that 6% is the minimum?

Armen, I don't have time to call. to answer your question - I've gotten 200 calls and visits from harassing, pushy, obnoxious soliciting brokers but only one broker has brought me potential buyers so far. Is it true that most brokers ignore FSOB listings except when they want to become the listing broker?

My thinking is... if I offer 4% commission to buyer's brokers, isn't that enough incentive for them to come preview the apt and show my apt to their clients? Or do clients usually look at the marketing material and then decide which apt they want to see (in which case I should get a listing broker because my photos don't do justice to this beautiful, immaculate apt. - Sat Oct 22, 2011

Do you know how long people are willing to use cabinets and appliances for? Do people change them every 5 years? 10 years? 15 years? 20 years? - Mon May 16, 2011