[ncountylee]

Anything that hurts MSM (advertising here) is a positive. IMO

[garyhope]

I didn't use a real estate agent to sell my parents home (after they passed). I guess I was lucky it was in the "right" area. There were people leaving notes on my door and in my mailbox begging me to sell it to them.

[Paleo Conservative]

But who'd want to move to Madison, Wisconsin?

[Herakles]

Not to many people remember that the last time a flat tax was discussed, the group that came out against it, and pretty munch killed it was the Realtors. Everything for them is a write off, so that 6% is pretty much tax free: and that is why they did not want tax reform for the rest of us!

Soon, I hope, people will realize that asking for 6% (or greater) of their nest egg is too much to ask. It's my opinion, from what I've seen here in central Pennsylvania, that the Realtors have so much control that they, not market forces, dictate prices. I am bewildered why the government does not consider this industry a Trust.

[Graymatter]

Ebay's the way. I got 200 inquiries, people begging to be first in line to send deposit. Sold the house for twice what I paid for it---in one week. Would do it again except I didn't enjoy answering 200 emails in a week. That was rugged.

[CurlyDave]

Alternative listing services would need to reach a combined 50 percent to 60 percent of a market to topple a multiple listing service, Steve Murray, an industry consultant, guessed.

I doubt that.

Here in CA, realtors are advertising 5% comissions, and lower is on the way in many places.

If a FSBO site gets up to 20-30% of the market, there is going to be serious price pressure on the 6% comission.

[crz]

I wouldnt P(*s on the best part of some of those crooks.

I know of but just one that might fit the tee for a human and he is an elderly fellow who wont lie through his teeth to get a sale.

Around here they are selling houses with contaminated wells and not saying one word about it to the potential buyers.

[Tunehead54]

BTTT! ;-)

[dannyboy72]

I've been developing websites for real estate brokers and agents for nearly a decade and I can tell you that Realtors are still not aware of the coming changes to their industry. While technology has been a boon to the industry and consumers, it is also going to be the bane of the industry - especially with people like Brad Inman (Homegain.com and Inman.com) championing the destruction of the independant agent, and websites like this one offering a viable alternative to straight percentage payoffs.

If you're an agent today, you need to be prepared for the future and begin planning new strategies for your business to employ once the trends begin to move toward FSBO and non-commissioned sales people. Any freepers who might need help with this or have real estate related questions, feel free to Freepmail me or use my company's website for help at www.julysix.com.

[caver]

I lump realtors, lawyers and car salesmen all in the same category. They're thieves.

[wolfcreek]

So what's with this 1% reality I keep hearing about? Also there's a deal for a $ 2995 flat fee? IMO, the real estate business is a bit of a scam!

[CTGOPPER]

It is easy to sell a house yourself in a fast market. When the market softens it won't be quite so easy. Out of town buyers will never see a for sale by owner site or a sign. When the market gets slow, buyers will expect to save the commission. They will deduct the amount they think the seller is saving when making their offer. So often the seller makes the same profit without the benefit of a realtor. Every year I sell a few houses that people tried to sell themselves and got into trouble with unqualified buyers and home inspection issues. I've been around long enough in this business (29 years)to see many different business models. There is always room for the for sale by owner. In fact, my menu plan allows sellers to sell the home themselves without obligation to pay a commision or to pay me a reduced commission for just "managing" the transaction. My best advise to FSBO sellers is to be sure they are financially benefiting from the reduced or lack of commission, not the buyer. Don't give it all away to the buyer. Otherwise, they might as well have the benefit of using a realtor.

Hey guys, realtors aren't all bad! I give back a lot to my community in time and money.

[OldFriend]

You don't have to be anti-business to be pro free market.

[CharacterCounts]

Real estate brokers are going to find themselves in the same difficulties as brick and mortar stores. They cheifly provided a network and communication system to market homes. The internet is excellent at providing both to wider audiences.

I recently ssold my home myself through a for sale by owner website. This one, howver, did provide a loal office and free market analysis. They conviced me to market my home at a higher price than I had been asking. It was on the net in 6 hours. Within 3 days my ad had over 500 hits. I had 15 telephone calls, 10 personal visits from prospective buyers and a sale in 5 days. Total cost to me $600.00.

[Capriole]

'Ms. Miller and Ms. Murphy collected about $300,000. "They don't care - they're not profit-driven," said François Ortalo-Magné, an associate professor of real estate at the University of Wisconsin'

Oh, yeah. Those pure-hearted liberals, they don't care about money at all. I'll bet they're giving all their profits to Save the Armadillos or something.

[TC Rider]

We sold our house through a local licensed RE agency that only charged us $500 to get on the multilist/internet and we also got a sign. It took 10 days.

I used the same guy when buying my townhouse, his agents split the commision with you after closing. I got a check back for around $1700.

www.mydogtess.com