Real Talk!

No one really ‘sells’ real estate. No sales rep. can ‘twist a buyer’s arm’ to buy a property that they don’t want to buy. Think: you might be persuaded to buy a chocolate bar that you don’t really want or need, but a house? Come on!

And an AD can’t sell real estate, either!

The reality is that someone has to put a sale together. Getting a client to say, "Yes" can be one of the most difficult things to do and a seasoned Realtor® knows that “selling” is a process.

FACT:

THE BUSY MARKET has brought with it, a whack of new Realtors® who are anxious to make sales. They are busy trying to promote themselves and their business and sadly, only a fraction will be in the business for any length of time. In their desperation, some new sales reps will offer enticements for business- be wary of offers that are too good to be true, in some cases, newbie representatives aren’t conscious that they are breaking rules and violating regulations!

TRUE:

Most companies don’t have any real criteria for hiring sales representatives. Some companies love to hire new Realtors® because they think it looks good to have a lot of faces in their newspaper ads and besides, it doesn’t cost them anything.

It is no secret that Realtors® don’t earn a salary and they don’t have any benefits. In fact, in most cases, Realtors® pay a desk fee to the company. That is: they pay a monthly rental fee for affiliation with the company and then expenses for things like stationery, business cards, telephone, fax, signs, mandatory ongoing education, license fees, insurance and local advertising (and many other items) are expenses on top of desk fees.

Some other real estate ‘myths’

* Realtors® have no access to any magic recipes for attracting buyers that are not obvious to everyone- there is no professional secret thing that happens mysteriously behind the scenes AND they have no way of knowing what might be coming up “listed” for sale.

*Listings in the window do not really generate sales (they are another tool to promote the agency); this is why, for example, we don’t feel a need to have a ‘prominent shop front’. We work from home bases and ‘on the road’, in clients’ homes, etc. our office is for “duty” time- meaning, a licensed person is available in the event you do stop in, or call. If you are serious, it’s always best to make an appointment with a Realtor®.

* Sold signs advertise the company and the Realtor® to potential Sellers.

*The number of “For Sale” signs does not equal the best company or sales rep. Some reps will purposely list property with high visibility JUST for sign placement… some reps don’t count on signs… and some Sellers don’t want for sale signs!

What really brings a sale?

*Statistically, a for sale sign on the property does help
*An mls.ca and MLS ® listing is considered the number one source
*Newspaper advertising can stimulate inquiries
*An experienced & skilled Realtor® who is diligent in service and knowledgeable in the market

And… what does a Realtor® do for you? Ah… LOTS! A good Realtor® knows that selling is a process of marketing that requires experience, skill and attention… And that is something we will investigate in another blog, another day!