Yup. Depends on the market - and the zipcode and street, etc. But sometimes, FSBO makes sense. And the real estate agents like MArc that went out of their way to be helpful in the process will be rewarded -by this owner and others. - Sat Feb 9 2008, 11:49
Make no mistake- JR et all- I think the best of your profession are just going to get a bigger piece of this shrinking pie. That you are here debating and learning and providing information is awesome- appreciated- and shows why folks like you will WIN as this industry, like others, continues to change, fast, during the information revolution. - Tue Jan 8 2008, 13:06
I said this before and I'll repeat it again:
I am confident that that the proliferation of free, accessable information in the real estate industry is having the save effect as decimilization has had on wall street- changing and eliminating whole classes of jobs. Real Estate agents will become more like service providers - the protective barriers around the access to the other side of a transaction like the mls will continue to crumble (craigslist, zillow, google), comissions will continue to shrink, the real estate agent will become more specialized, typcially serving only the highest priced or weak supply and demand markets where the need for an intermediary, house sitter, etc is stronger...
..And do underdstand that i think a great real estate agent can be super for the right kind of home/situation (not as much for homes in strong markets with favorable supply/demand characteristics) - but I also know they are very few and far between - like great recruiters are - the barriers to entry in the profession are simply far too low. - Tue Jan 8 2008, 13:03
This discussion is getting just silly. It doesnt matter if someone has a real estate agent or not, I'm going to try to get the best price on a house I'm buying. And I'd much rather buy an FSBO house than one one offered by a realtor - as would most buyers - any discount would then come from the the owner not the owner plus the absurd amount he had to pay a lister. - Tue Jan 8 2008, 12:59
Thanks- great discourse. Was curious if the pros saw much if any of alternative fee arrangements. In any event, placed home on mls ($400) and promising the standard 2.5% to a buyer's agent for our area. FSBO the way to go for my situation - in a diferent house in a neighborhood with dif. dynamics and in a dif.zip code, despite my background and experience, I indeed might go with a listing agent. But probably would never buy such a house/location where I'd have to... - Sat Jan 5 2008, 19:09
Hope 2008 is a good year for you JR. Elected to offer 2.5 % to any agent that brings us a buyer we have yet to contact. That's pretty much the status quo for this market. All the best, Owner. - Wed Jan 2 2008, 09:58
The only reason I see to work with a real estate agent is access to target buyers that (foolishly) signed an agreement to work with one. As a buyer- best to go solo so if there is a listing agent can get his full 5% - if there isnt the owner would rather work with someone without one so as to not have to pay commish. - Sun Nov 18 2007, 13:16
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