Real Estate Fees: You Get What You Pay For

There is a huge myth regarding real estate commissions. They think agents do the same job. So they choose the cheapest one. 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 discount broker is usually the most expensive in the end. The reason? The result is poorer. The gap in the final figure is often far bigger than the saving in fees.

Consider this. If they can't defend their own full fee, will they fight for your money? They won'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 good agent pushes for more. We know our worth.

I see sellers in this market drop tens of thousands for a small discount. It is tragic. You sell your home once. You want the top dollar. The fee is an investment. By achieving $20,000 more, even with a higher rate, you win. That is the net result. Focus on what you keep, not the expense.

Price vs. Performance In Real Estate

Know the gap between price and result. A Kia and a Ferrari are worlds apart. Real estate agents gawler are no different. Some just open doors. They upload photos and hope. That is zero skill. You could do that.

A skilled agent creates competition. We work the database. We advise on presentation. We use psychology. And most importantly: we deal. When a buyer says "$600,000 is my limit", the order taker writes it up. The skilled agent knows they have more. That increase is pure profit. That is value.

Budget brokers need quantity. They need to sell 10 houses to survive. They are too busy to maximize your price. You are a transaction. I focus on quality. To give attention on your result. My commission enables me to serve you best. Don't hire the busy fool.

Why The Best Negotiators Charge More

It's not fighting. It is psychology. Knowing silence and staying calm. It is reading body language. Building pressure. An expert pushes the price willingly. We use competition to drive the price up.

It takes practice to get right. It is gold. You engage us for this skill. Not to put a sign up. You hire us to talk cash. If they are scared, they will cost you. They will suggest you drop your price because they can't get the buyer up. It is easier to crunch a seller than to lift a buyer. Lazy agents crunch sellers. Great agents lift buyers.

Ask them: "Give me an example a deal you did." Watch them. If the answer is "It sold quick," run away. You want to hear "I created a bidding war." Hire that one. I love the deal. I guarantee it.

Marketing Budgets: Who Pays For What?

Cheap agents often offer "advertising included." Great deal? Wrong. Nothing is free. If marketing is "free", they cut corners. Bottom tier. Cheap snaps. You get no signboard. Why? it is coming out of their pocket. They want to spend less.

To get top dollar, you need exposure. Premiere listing on RealEstate.com.au. Drone shots. 3D tours. Targeted marketing. It is an investment. It casts a wide net. More buyers = more competition. Competition = higher price. Being cheap on ads and miss one buyer, it costs you value. Poor return.

I advise you pay for ads. Because then we control it. We go big to sell well. Your investment. Give it the best chance. Don't hide it in the dark for a small saving. Marketing works.

The False Promise Of A High Price

A common scam of bad agents is over-quoting. They say you will get a huge price when it is worth $600k. They do this to win the job. They get the listing out of greed. Once listed, it sits there. They blame the market. They reduce it to $600k. It sells low after wasting time.

You picked the cheat. The honest agent who was real missed out. Don't reward lies. If an agent promises a crazy number, check the data. Show me the sales. No data, they are buying the listing. I value correctly. Data leads me. I might be conservative, but I deliver. I get more through negotiation, not empty promises.

Protect yourself. It is a game. Find the ethical agent. Find the one reality, not fluff. That is the guide who will actually sell your home for the max.

How To Spot A great Agent

When interviewing, ask these questions:
1. Explain negotiation.
2. Show me recent sales.
3. How online resource online do you auction?.
4. Why is your fee higher/lower?.
5. How will you find buyers?.

What they say will tell you everything. If they waffle, next. If they are sharp, hire them. If they discount without a fight, do not sign. If they give away their money, they will cost you.

I welcome these questions. Challenge me. I am ready. I know my value. Let's work together. I am not the cheapest, I get results. And the best pays for itself ultimately.