Sellers often misunderstand real estate commissions. They think that all agents are the same. They pick the lowest fee. They think it is a saving. If the fee is low and the pro charges more, they choose the discounter. They calculate saving a few thousand. This is dangerous math. The low fee agent costs you the most at settlement. Why? Because they sell your home for less. The difference in your sale price dwarfs than the small saving.
Consider this. If they give up their own income, how will they negotiate your house price? They don't. They give in straight away. When a buyer offers low, they advise: "You should sell." They want the quick sale. They don't fight. A pro fights for every dollar. We are professionals.
I watch vendors in gawler real estate miss out on huge sums to save pennies. It breaks my heart. You have one shot. You want the top dollar. The fee is an investment. By achieving a higher price, and I cost $5,000 more, you make more profit. That is what matters. Count the cash in hand, not the expense.
Price vs. Performance In Real Estate
Know the gap between price and result. McDonalds and fine dining differ greatly. Local agents are no different. Some just open doors. They put it on the internet and wait. Anyone can do that. That is not service.
A negotiator markets proactively. We chase leads. We style the home. We market aggressively. And most importantly: we close. When a buyer says "$600,000 is my limit", the amateur accepts. The skilled agent knows how to squeeze. That extra $20,000 is pure profit. That is skill.
Discounters churn and burn. They need to sell 10 houses to survive. They rush to negotiate properly. You are just another sale. I take fewer clients. To work harder on your sale. My commission enables me to give 100%. Don't be a number.
How Negotiation Skills Impact Your Pocket
It isn't shouting. It is a science. Knowing tactics and when to shut up. It is reading body language. Building pressure. An expert pushes the price against themselves. We use competition to drive the price up.
This skill takes years to perfect. It is worth money. You engage us to do this. Not for the photo. You hire us to handle the money conversation. If your agent is weak, you lose. They ask for reductions rather than negotiating. It is easier to crunch a seller than to lift a buyer. Lazy agents crunch sellers. Pros increase offers.
Ask the agent: "Give me an example of a recent negotiation." Listen to the answer. If they just say "I got an offer and they accepted," run away. You want to hear "I rejected the first offer." That is the winner. Brad Smith negotiates. That is my promise.
Marketing Budgets: Who Pays For What?
Cheap agents often offer "free marketing." Sounds good? No. Nothing is free. If marketing is "free", they spend the minimum. Bottom tier. Cheap snaps. Small sign. Why? it is coming out of their pocket. They want to spend less.
For the best result, you need the best. Top spot online. Drone shots. Floorplans. Social media ads. It isn't cheap. It casts a wide net. More eyes = more offers. Competition = higher price. If you save $1,000 on marketing and miss one buyer, the result drops. Poor return.
I advise you pay for ads. Because then we control it. We spend what is needed to sell well. Your investment. Give it the best chance. Don't be invisible to save a grand. It creates the result.
The False Promise Of A High Price
A common scam of bad agents is over-quoting. They say your home is worth $700k when it is worth $600k. The goal is to get you to sign. You hire them because you want $700k. Once listed, no offers. They make excuses. They reduce it to the real value. It sells low after wasting time.
But you hired the liar. The one who told the truth who was accurate lost the job. Be smart. If an agent promises a crazy number, check the data. Prove it. Without proof, they are buying the listing. I value correctly. I base it on facts. I might be conservative, but I deliver. I get more through negotiation, not empty promises.
Watch out. There are tricks. Choose honesty. Find the one the hard truth, not fairytales. That is the partner who gets results at the top.
Questions You Must Ask Before Signing
When interviewing, checklist this:
1. How do you negotiate?.
2. Show me recent sales.
3. How do you auction?.
4. Why is your helpful information information fee higher/lower?.
5. How will you find buyers?.
What they say shows their skill. If they stumble, don't hire them. If they have a process, sign them. If they discount immediately, do not sign. If they fold, they will give away yours.
I welcome these questions. I love the interview. I am ready. I know my value. Pick me. I am not the cheapest, I get results. Excellence costs nothing with the final price.