Tuesday, March 15, 2011

"Cheapest Price" Commissions


We were in a hurry yesterday with duplicating keys for an estate sale. At the closest hardware store I was directed to an irritated "minimum Wage" employee that reminded me that their price was the lowest.

"Cheapest Prices for Cut Keys" he chimed

The second key, they didn't carry that particular blank, but that "More Expensive" fellow up the mall did. At the second store I was greeted by the proprietor who looked at the key to be duplicated and warned about the price of the blank; "I need it". Back to the house to try the key... Expensive one works great, cheap one is stiff and resistant. Doesn't fully close. It was very difficult to turn.

Back to the shops. I don't have time for this. Did I return to the lowest price that complained? No, I went to the fellow who did his job properly and took my money. I asked about the error with the "first cut" He looked at it carefully and said; "You see here" showing me the key, "Someone rushed, It's a little off."

I returned again to the estate home and tested the second re cut key. Perfect. Yes it cost a dollar more but could have saved me 45 minutes had I gone there first.

There is a lesson here for all of us. Too often we are attracted by the lowest price, only to have other expenses undisclosed or a repurchase do over is required that just plainly waits time. There seems to be a race to the bottom for prices on everything lately. Then there is the cost expense and waste of the re do.

Have things like this happened to you?

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Avoiding Listing Disappointment What questions to Ask..

10 Marketing Questions To Ask The Real Estate Agent

Who Is Offering To List Your Property For Sale

With 90% of property buyers searching online for real estate, you'll likely be best served by an agent who understands modern Real Estate web marketing techniques.

Quick Note: Most real estate agents you interview will not be able to answer all of these questions, but whoever comes closest is probably an excellent choice...

Questions For Your Prospective Real Estate Agent

· Can you create a single property website for my property? Will it be syndicated? Can you track the metrics, activity and viewers?

· Will this site include a video of the property? Will the video be on Youtube? How about some other video sharing sites?

· How often will you post to Craig’s List? Will your Craig’s list ads divert that juicy Craig’s traffic to more effective lead capture points?

· How many Facebook ad impressions do you plan to purchase for the property? How will they be targeted?

· Which keywords will you target as part of the Google adwords and/or Bing campaigns you run for the property? (What’s your budget for these campaigns?)

· How big is your website’s RSS based newsletter readership?

· Do you have any lead capture sites out there capturing buyer leads?

· Will you post my property to your blog and update your readership at least twice/month with price changes, etc?

· Will you create a Twitter Account for the property? Will it follow other twitterers in the area and invite them to take a look at my listing?

· What kind of camera will you use to take the pics of my property? How many photos of my listing do you intend to post around the web? Sample Photo Stream

· Can I see the MLS description you plan to write for the property before we execute a Listing Agreement? Can we edit and modify data together?

· Are you willing to notify the 10 agents who have the most recent sales on properties closest to my property about the listing?

· Which social networks will your blog posts about my listing syndicate to? How many total people do you have on your friends/fans/followers lists?

· Will I be able to access web analytics for the various sites where my listing appears? Can you set me up to be able to view these visitors in real time?

· Are you an Accredited Senior Agent?

· Can they provide you with a Pre Listing Package?

If you'd like help selling your home; and to work with an experienced Accredited Senior Agent, feel free to Click here to cennect with David Pylyp for help...