Michael Ricks GRI

Could this be about someone who could have issues paying the going rate for anything and spends a lot of time and money trying to save it? If the same type person hires a contractor to tile a bath they want the lowest price, and then are disappointed with the quality of work and feel ripped off. Hire a gardener at the cheapest price and the plants don’t live and they feel ripped off also.

What other places can you go to and ask someone to cut their pay so you can get a cheaper price and get good results. I have a friend who loves wheeling and dealing, a great friend; he is constantly having things redone because he went the cheapest way possible. He goes to Mexico and has hit teeth capped but then has a local dentist redo two of them. He hired a handyman to sheetrock a wall only to have it torn down and redone by a reputable professional. I have seriously and jokingly told him that I have never seen anyone spend so much money trying to save it.

I remember on a remodel I hired the cheapest electrician he held up my job for two weeks and I saved $200.00. It was a lesson I had to learn, pay well and expect good results; it does not mean I don’t shop at Costco, I love a great deal but not at any expense.

I’m sorry that the comments reflect an unsatisfied consumer involved in a messy transaction, two buyers agents. I can imagine the buyer to be quite frustrated and the seller is probably concerned also and showing the concerns with a higher price tag. It is a tough time to be a buyer or a seller. I know from when I was not experienced the fees you pay for experienced help, expertise and knowledge, will always out way the money you throw away for someone who is not. I want a good doctor, lawyer, CPA, and pay them what they command.

I’ll make any offer my buyer wants to make and yes I encouraged buyers in the hot market to consider overbidding on certain properties because they had to have it, I gave them the right advice and I continue to put myself in their shoes. I think most of the professionals on this website feel as I do, take care of the customer and their needs and you will be successful. The real point I am trying to make is until you have worked with a truly professional agent you will not see the benefits of the fees they are paid. - Sat Dec 1 2007, 17:31

Hi Susan, we are seeing in our market a buyer here and there rewarded for making a low ball offer. I'm amazed as I agree with the comments below. I recently took out some buyers and they wanted to make low ball offers, I decide lets focus on properties where the seller has a lot of equity, it has been on the market for sometime and is not generating any cash or use. My buyer was able to get a home 20% under market. - Sat Dec 1 2007, 16:18

I really really tried to make it work, it was a waste of time energy and money. It has been a few years if the technology has changed it would be better, but it sounded bad and I never had anyone tell me I was listening to your talking house and .... The sellers did like it and I did use it in listing presentations. - Sat Dec 1 2007, 15:58

I think buyers and sellers are learning about zillow and will see it as another tool. It is good at seeing trends in a neighborhood but the zestimates are mathmatical calculations that don't consider, a busy street or a fixer vs. a palace. It will be interesting to see where the web site goes... - Sat Dec 1 2007, 15:50

I may not put my home on the market until 01/01/2008 as the holidays tend to be slow and you start racking up days on the market. Use the next few weeks to really look at your home and detail it like a model home. Get the marketing organized and have some great pictures taken, who ever you decide to work with make sure you are working as a team. Take time and look at some shows like design to sell and see if you have any obvious issues. Ask your agent to be very upfront regarding the condition and pricing of your home, what would it take to sell my house in 30 days or less? ... what would it take to sell my home in 7 days. Go to open houses and check out your competition. Paint is cheap and can really make a differance. - Sat Dec 1 2007, 15:41