Tuesday, April 22, 2014


Who Writes This Stuff?

I keep reading these posts about the things that your Real Estate Agent won't tell you.  There seems to be a trend of articles devoted to the cause and I'd like to know, Which Agent? Which agent is not giving you the truth? The right information? Honesty?  Because I'll tell you (the truth that is) - I don't hold back and frankly my reputation and career is based on honesty and transparency with my clients - not lying and misinformation.  Here's some of the popular items on the list that's been going around:


  1. Open Houses - the articles suggest that there is no benefit from an Open House to the owner and that it's merely a way for the Agent to secure new clients.  Well first off, new business is great. Not going to lie.  It is in fact a great way to meet new potential clients but we don't do these based on that.  More often than not Open Houses are filled with potential Buyers who already have agents and thus, we spend our time - the whole weekend in fact, schmoozing Buyers who are not using our services but the services of their own Realtor.  Isn't the goal to sell?  We are also introducing your house to the neighborhood and more often than not, it's a neighbor who has a cousin who is looking in the area and this would be perfect.  It's called advertising.  The more exposed your home is, the better chance of it being sold quickly and for your asking price, if priced correctly. Isn't that the goal?  My weekends are not spent inside homes merely to prospect - I am there to sell - and sell YOUR home.  Send in a friend undercover if you don't believe me.  I'm okay with that!
  2. Real Estate Fee's.  Yes they are negotiable.  We do talk about this and we will negotiate but honestly, if I don't have to put money on the table, I am not going to.  Do you? Would you arbitrarily offer to reduce or put money on the table in your own business if it wasn't asked, suggested or required? I'll tell you another secret - while I will offer up portions of my fee (absolutely!) the Buyer fee is usually not negotiable.  Agents are offering 1% - but what they are not telling you is that they are charging 1% but you are also still paying 2.5% for the Buyers end.  So 1 = 3.5%.  The dirty truth of it is that most agents won't show a property if the commission is less than 2.5% (sometimes 2%) on the Buyers side.  It seems greedy but in all honesty, Real Estate is the only business where we must pay to work.  A Realtor in Ontario realistically pays over $10 000.00 in fee's, insurance, associations and desk costs - all of which are mandatory in order to keep their license - whether or not they make a sale that year.  In addition - all related costs - marketing, gas, car, tools of the trade, cell phone etc are the sole responsibility of the agent as well.  It costs alot of money for the privilege of having our career.  And I do treat it as a privilege.  But please remember - the entire cost of marketing your home - from website, social media, advertising, feature sheets, all of the calls, emails, texts and follow ups - are solely the financial responsibility of the agent.  We do not get reimbursed.  We pay all expenses out of pocket.
  3. There are Offers You Don't Know About. No. There are not.  We, in Ontario, are legally obligated (if not ethically) to report every single offer on the table.  It's not our property - it's yours.  Being sued for not relaying information is not how any agent wishes to spend their time.  I tell every owner about every potential offer.  It's not my decision.  Even if it's the lowest of the low - absurd - I will always tell my Owners.  This statement is just ridiculous.
  4. You Don't Need a Real Estate Agent - You Can Do It On Your Own.  Yep - that's true.  You can. It may save you money and you may very well get it done and done well.  Is this how you want to spend your time? If it is, than great.  Anyone who feels they can FSBO (for sale by owner) their own property, I say, Power To Them.  Really.  I do know that as an Agent, I have access to so many things that you, as a lay person do not.  That being MLS, my website, my social media connections, all of the Agents in my office and in every single office of every agency in the province.  I have the knowledge and skill to price your home - using the same models and information as the Appraisers from the Banks and I have the knowledge and skill to go through your home and show you how it will best show.  It's my job to field all calls, appointments, inquiries and information regarding your property and it's on me if something goes wrong - which is why both my Broker and I carry huge insurance policies.  I don't know of many Agents who show FSBO properties to their clients and so based on that alone, you are missing out on a HUGE pool of Buyers.  Buyers who don't want to deal with a private deal and wish to leave the contracts and legalities up to their agents & lawyers.  Buyers who know that their Agent will garner all necessary information regarding zoning, easements, neighborhoods, history and the multitude of other seemingly unimportant pieces of information regarding a purchase that makes a Buyers time less stressful than it already is.  I am not suggesting FSBO homes don't sell - they do, absolutely, but for a huge stream of Buyers - they have no interest in the process and stick to properties with less stress.
I'm not saying that all agents are awesome, honest, driven or have your back - I just know that I am and I do and many of my colleagues do as well.   In all honesty, I went into real estate because of some shady agents we had used in the past and I vowed I would never disrespect any client the way I felt I had been.  That's the truth.

I honestly love people.  I understand people and mostly, I respect other people's money.  Looking for a property in the $500 000 range? I'm not going to show you  $600 000 homes, I am going to respect your budget.  Just divorced? I'm not telling anyone - it's your business and I'm going to help you find a property that will suit your new normal.  Just starting a family and looking for the move out of the core into the Burbs? I'll help you consider the long term plan - schools, neighborhood, transit and all of your other needs that you hadn't really thought about yet. My career, my goal is to ensure all my clients feel comfortable, welcome, valued and heard.  What's important to you becomes important to me - whether it's finding a yard for your dog, being near a mosque, church or house of worship.  No matter what your persuasion, orientation or inclinations - my job is about conversations.  I am your agent, it is not my place to judge anything.  My job is about Information. Honesty. Integrity and Listening.  

I'm always here, so if you're in the GTA & looking to Buy or Sell - give me a call.  I'd love to help.  It's why I do what I do.


As always, questions, comments or if you are just plain curious about the value of your home,
Website at:: www.gtalisted.com,
Twitter: GTAListed 
Text me at: 416-388-7384



Nicole Kreutzberg
Realtor

This blog is not intended to solicit those under agency agreement and has been written as the agents own opinion not to be used as legal advice or otherwise




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