Wednesday, January 17, 2007

ABOUT Buying and Selling

"Much of the country is experiencing a buyer's market right now, which is delightful news for buyers. Serious buyers are getting some terrific deals and making out like bandits. Sellers are falling all over themselves by paying buyers' closing costs and offering incentives like cars, vacations or prepaid association dues for a year. What I want to know is where are the front-row tickets for the Academy Awards? I might be tempted to buy just about anything if I could sit up front at the Oscars" From Elizabeth Weintraub, ABOUT Buying / Selling Houses

I love this website for up-to-date information about real estate. Tidbits of info that can be helpful in either buying or selling and choosing the right REALTOR to represent you. I signed up for their newsletter and I like its format. Always something new. But talking about incentives, the sellers are offering help with closing costs, home warranties, first mortgage payments etc. All sorts of monetary help. But agents are also looking for incentives to show houses and write contracts. A cash bonus on top of regular commission is good as long it's not more than the commission itself. Agents however, need to be careful that they are not steering other agents to show only their houses by dangling a "golden carrot" Offering too much like cars or vacations can make people greedy and their practices can be unethical. We have to do what we can to sell our customers house without alienating the competition. Lets be fair here.

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