Comments on: Guest Post: Why do traditional Realtors despise discounters?

By: David Homan

David Homan — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 17:42:15 +0000

I almost hesitate to jump in the middle of this blog, as many good points have already been made, but since my company has been mentioned prominently, indulge me with a reply. The fact is that real estate is a business similar to any other business. Any business that does not focus first and foremost on the needs of its customers is not going to have a very bright future. Most real estate professionals get this fact and work diligently to make sure their customers receive the service that they deserve. At Iggys House we believe that one of the best ways to protect the interests of our current and potential customers is to provide choice. The process of buying and selling real estate is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. A full service traditional brokerage arrangement is something that works for many people, and there are many fine full service agents who can do a great job servicing this segment of the market. An increasingly large number of buyers and sellers are more self-directed and want to participate more fully in the transaction and ultimately benefit financially from that participation. This is the market segment that Iggys House and BuySide Realty services. It is a growing market, which would indicate that it has traction as an alternative to the more traditional services. I cannot speak to the popularity of this model among those who are supposed to be representing real estate buyers and sellers, but in the end that is really not the point. Likewise, the discussion of how listing agents are going to change the commission model that their customers pay is somewhat off-base. In our information age economy, customers will not be passive participants in this process, and will vote with their feet when it comes to their choice in representation. As a real estate professional, one can either choose to support and empower customer choice, or fight against it. I know which side we come down on. The real question is where do you play?

David Homan
Iggys House and BuySide Realty

By: Joel

Joel — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 04:02:33 +0000

“I think its worthwhile to hear all of the viewpoints out there – whether we disagree with them or not, the conversation is the important part.”

Not really. I mean, how many times does someone have to spout discredited and heavily biased “viewpoints” before you start ignoring him?

By: S. Berkland

S. Berkland — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 07:07:31 +0000

I bought and sold 3 homes, 6 transactions, and used Help U Sell in Poway, CA for my last sale.

The only difference in my last transaction was the cost. I made $18,000 more at closing than if I had used the ReMax agent who sold me the house.

It’s quite cheesy of high-commissioned real estate salespeople to put down their competition.

If you’re really that great Bloodhound, then everyone should be running to you and the discounters are not a threat.

So, why are you so worried? I’ll tell you why: because they are damn good.

Sure, there are bad ones, just as there are bad realtor who charge 7% listing fee.

Don’t the 7% realtors lie to their clients and say “prices only go up”?

My Help U Sell agent never lied. He tells people the truth. He’s been selling real estate since the 1970’s.

Now that I’m getting my real estate license, I am really torn on what to charge.

But one thing is sure: I will never knock the competition just because they charge less.

By: Chuck Ponzi

Chuck Ponzi — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 21:49:13 +0000

Cheese and Rice.

Greg Swann?

I’d call him a turd, but I don’t support ad hominems.

Let’s just say that his realtor skills have got to be useful for something. What?, you might ask… Yes, that is the question.

Chuck Ponzi

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:31:57 +0000

With a grand total of 2 rather clunky listings on his website, Greg Swann is truly The Real Estate Guru of the Hour!!

By: JAG

JAG — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:08:43 +0000

LOL – GREG SWAN.

THE biggest RE cheerleader of all time?

The guy is a total clown. In addition, I didn’t notice him listing any of his special tactics anywhere; BUT HE HAS THEM!?

Ha- Okaaayyyyyyy…

By: greg swann is a discredited loser

greg swann is a discredited loser — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:32:57 +0000

Its pretty funny reading this from Greg Swann the most discredited REALTOR in the world. So Greg how is that Phoenix real estate you’re always pumping doing now? Still on track to earn a million this year? At least the FSBO seller won’t be laughed at like you are you ramen eating hack

By: Morgan Brown

Morgan Brown — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 16:02:56 +0000

Sorry Bryant – No censorship here – just on a dial up modem in the backwoods of Maine so comments will be slow to post if they are moderated. You can call me an a-hole and it will still get up. I hate deleted comments.

Joel – I think its worthwhile to hear all of the viewpoints out there – whether we disagree with them or not, the conversation is the important part.

Thanks for patience everyone – dial up is terrible and I won’t be able to contribute as much as I like.

By: Todd

Todd — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:06:37 +0000

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks” –From Hamlet (III, ii, 239)

To the author: Your use of the word “amateur” no less than three times betrays you.

Before you make an assumption about my intentions, I am a current prospective buyer who is using a traditional full-service Coldwell Banker agent, whom I am happy with. So I am not approaching this from a viewpoint antagonistically, since I have no problem with the commission she will be paid upon finding a house for me.

That said, your article is has a decidedly strained quality to it. Your frustration is transmitted quite clearly. You arrogate to yourself the right to label all of your as amateurs – it’s nice to be able to dismiss all others as such isn’t it? After all, you ‘know’ that they are amateurs. How all-seeing and all knowing of you.

Your points might be valid, and you may be correct in stating that full-service agents are a better deal.

But it sure works against you to write an article that sounds like a high-school baseball player boasting that they ‘know’ they will win the big game because they ‘know’ that the other team is a a bunch of ‘amateurs’. That kind of cocksure thinking is likely to get one into trouble.

You win more clients with professionalism than diatribes.

By: Bryant Keefe

Bryant Keefe — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:56:05 +0000

My post was removed so I would guess, unless I am making a posting error, that some censorship is at work here. Odd though as my post between Rob Dawg and ANON was not profane or anything. Odd?