As dependence on the internet continues to grow, third-party companies in real estate have been using their considerable financial clout to capture interested buyers and sellers through the power of the internet and make captives out of real estate agents like me, who know their local markets but who cannot capitalize on these internet leads without paying exorbitant fees to these internet "highway men" -- companies like Zillow, Trulia, Homes.com, etc that charge the agents big bucks to show up on those sites*.
I have thus far refused to run my business that way, instead choosing to work with people who are referred to me by others that consider me as their trusted professional in the field. Frankly, this is a far more gratifying way to work with people. The downside of course is that I am not always as busy as I would like.
In an effort to be of assistance to more people, without sending money out of the community to these behemoth lead generation companies, I have decided to offer up a radical plan for this spring . . .
Each home seller to sign a listing agreement with me by February 18** will receive:
- 1% off their listing-side fee (Potential savings up to $10,000)
- Plus, for your protection
- a complimentary wood pest inspection
- a complimentary one year home warranty for the buyer
If you have been considering selling your home this year, now is a great time to meet with me to discuss. I'll share my marketing plan with you and answer any questions you may have. And although I am an attorney, you won't find paragraphs full of "fine print" to mull over.
Schedule a meeting with me soon, even if you are not ready to go on the market until, say, June.
* I'm speaking of the agents being listed. Your home will of course be marketed on all the major sites in addition to the local and regional MLS sites so that all potential buyers can see it.
**Listing agreement will specify a date, no later than June 15, 2016, when the property will be "on the market."