Real Estate Fees: You Get What You Pay For

Most people are wrong about agent fees. People believe agents do the same job. They pick the lowest fee. They think they are saving money. If Agent A charges 1.5% and Agent B charges 2.2%, they choose the discounter. They calculate saving a few thousand. This is dangerous math. The cheapest agent loses you money eventually. How? Because they sell your home for less. The difference in your sale price dwarfs than the commission difference.

Think about it. If an agent cannot negotiate their own money, how can they defend your house price? They don't. They fold straight away. When a buyer offers low, the cheap agent says: "It is a good offer." They need the turnover. They don't care about your extra $10k. Brad Smith negotiates hard. Because we value our skill.

I witness owners in gawler real estate lose $20,000 or $30,000 to save pennies. It breaks my heart. You have one shot. You need the maximum price. You pay for performance. If the agent gets a premium, and the fee is slightly higher, you make more profit. That is what matters. Count the cash in hand, not the expense.

The Difference Between Cost And Value

Understand the distinction between cheap and good. A cheap suit and a tailored one are worlds apart. Local agents are no different. Some are order takers. They upload photos and wait for the phone to ring. That is zero skill. You could do that.

A professional creates competition. We chase leads. We manage the look. We write compelling ads. Key point: we negotiate. If someone says "$600,000 is my limit", the amateur accepts. The pro knows they have more. The gap pays the fee 4 times over. That is skill.

Cheap agents need quantity. They need bulk sales to make a living. They are too busy to maximize your price. You are just another sale. I limit my listings. To give attention for you. I charge correctly to serve you best. Don't hire the busy fool.

Why The Best Negotiators Charge More

It isn't shouting. It is influence. Knowing tactics and staying calm. Reading people. It is creating FOMO. A good negotiator gets more money without them knowing. We use the market to elevate value.

It is learned to get right. It is gold. You engage us to do this. Not for the photo. We are there to negotiate. If they are untrained, money evaporates. They lower expectations because they can't get the buyer up. It is easier to crunch a seller than to get more. Discounters reduce. Good agents build.

Ask them: "Tell me a story how you negotiated." Hear what they say. If the answer is "I got an offer and they accepted," run away. You need "I created a bidding war." That is the winner. I love the deal. That is my promise.

Marketing Budgets: Who Pays For What?

You might hear "advertising included." Attractive? Be careful. Someone pays. If they pay, they spend the minimum. Bottom tier. Cheap snaps. Small sign. Why? it is coming out of their pocket. They save money.

To get top dollar, you need premium marketing. Highlight ad. Drone shots. Floorplans. Facebook boost. This costs money. It casts a wide net. More eyes = more offers. Competition = higher price. Being cheap on ads and lose a bidder, the result drops. Poor return.

I recommend you pay for ads. Because then we control it. We go big to get the result. Your house. Showcase it. Don't hide it in the dark to save a grand. It creates the result.

Beware Of Over-Quoting Agents

Another trick of bad agents lying about value. They tell you it is worth millions when it is worth $600k. The goal is to get you to sign. You hire them believing the lie. Once listed, it sits there. They blame buyers. They crunch you down to the real value. It sells low after months of stress.

You picked the cheat. The one who told the truth who said $600k missed out. Don't reward lies. If it sounds too good way more than others, check the data. Prove it. No data, they are buying the listing. I tell the truth. Evidence based. I might be lower, but I deliver. I get more with hard work, not false hope.

Watch out. Real estate is full of sharks. Find the ethical agent. Pick the agent the hard truth, not fairytales. That is the guide who succeeds for the best price.

The Interview Checklist For Sellers

When interviewing, quiz them:
1. Explain negotiation.
2. Prove your results.
3. How do you handle multiple offers?.
4. Why is your fee continue reading page higher/lower?.
5. What is your marketing strategy?.

How they respond reveals the truth. If they are unsure, next. If they have a process, sign them. If they discount immediately, do not sign. If they fold, they will cost you.

Grill me. Test me. I am prepared. I know my value. Pick me. I am not the cheapest, I am the value choice. And the best is always free in the end.