Anonymous
10/21/2014 12:35
Subject: Re:why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you go out and get your real estate license and hang it with Redfin and then we will never have to see your silly posts here again? Doesn't that sound like a fabulous idea? That way, with ALL of the real estate that you are purportedly buying and selling, you can represent yourself!
I am sure with your winning personality you are fabulous negotiator.
The agent community won't have to deal with you and the readers of DCUM will never have to see yet another one of your posts which are SO. DAMN. TIRESOME.
You say the same thing each and every time:
1. You always reference Redfin.
2. You always reference the "real estate lobby." That would be The National Association of Realtors, by the way. Commonly referred to as NAR.
3. You are always fishing for marketing advice.
4. You always make cracks about balloons - perhaps you should consider working as a clown? You are well qualified.
5. You always make comments about "canned forms."
6. Finally, my personal favorite that you always seem to bring up "Anyone who graduated from high school can be an agent." This may very well be true. However, do you think the level of educated professionals in this city are going to hire an agent who only has a high school diploma? No.
It is clear from your writing skills that you may not be very well educated.
In the event that you do have a high school diploma, once again, I strongly encourage you to run on out there and get your real estate license! Become a Redfin agent! Learn how to fill out all of those canned forms! Pay your NAR dues! Use ALL of your hot air to fill up your balloons so we don't have to listen to you here anymore!
You sound worried that the OP may be correct. Have you prepared yourself for when the time comes that people see agents for what they are? Your posts aren't helping your case.
Nah, agent actually sounds a little unhinged. Does he not realize there are multiple people asking about what value agents bring? I'm the clown joking about balloons but legitimately curious about what novel marketing an agent can offer. I am not an agent, Redfin or otherwise. I am not the OP. I may eventually may sell our home in next few years, and can see attraction of A full service agent but a ) I still don't see what marketing they do other than MLS and open houses (and balloons
) and b) how to truly identify a hard working top agent (word of mouth is spotty and unreliable) 
Anonymous
10/21/2014 12:16
Subject: Re:why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
Sir, you are confusing exasperation with anger. You are the one who sounds angry. Now go start studying for that real estate exam!
Anonymous
10/21/2014 12:15
Subject: why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
NP here. You all haven't met a really great realtor. I have bought and sold numerous homes and have had my share of mediocre ones.
However, my most recent purchase my realtor was worth her weight in gold. She knew what we wanted and was extremely knowledgeable about what was out there. She typically went to all of the broker's open houses and she knew the homes before we would see them. As such, she would anticipate our questions and research answers. So when we would ask about building a garage, fixing an issue, etc., she had already talked to someone about the question. It was amazing. If she didn't know the answer, she would find out (unlike the realtor we fired before her, who would tell me to call the County).
She was also a zealous advocate for us. We were outbid on the first home we bid for. She called the seller's agent regularly to check in and let her know we remained interested. We didn't ask her to do this, but she casually mentioned it one day in response to that house coming up in conversation.
I have also seen her list a number of houses in our neighborhood. I can often tell her listings by looking at the pictures before I see who the agent is (I have a saved MLS search that emails me daily) because everything looks impeccable and appealing. Her listings typically go under contract within a week, as opposed to other listings that can sit for weeks, if not months.
So yeah, some agents don't earn their pay. But some do. I wish I were half as good at my job as she is.
However, my most recent purchase my realtor was worth her weight in gold. She knew what we wanted and was extremely knowledgeable about what was out there. She typically went to all of the broker's open houses and she knew the homes before we would see them. As such, she would anticipate our questions and research answers. So when we would ask about building a garage, fixing an issue, etc., she had already talked to someone about the question. It was amazing. If she didn't know the answer, she would find out (unlike the realtor we fired before her, who would tell me to call the County).
She was also a zealous advocate for us. We were outbid on the first home we bid for. She called the seller's agent regularly to check in and let her know we remained interested. We didn't ask her to do this, but she casually mentioned it one day in response to that house coming up in conversation.
I have also seen her list a number of houses in our neighborhood. I can often tell her listings by looking at the pictures before I see who the agent is (I have a saved MLS search that emails me daily) because everything looks impeccable and appealing. Her listings typically go under contract within a week, as opposed to other listings that can sit for weeks, if not months.
So yeah, some agents don't earn their pay. But some do. I wish I were half as good at my job as she is.
Anonymous
10/21/2014 12:10
Subject: Re:why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you go out and get your real estate license and hang it with Redfin and then we will never have to see your silly posts here again? Doesn't that sound like a fabulous idea? That way, with ALL of the real estate that you are purportedly buying and selling, you can represent yourself!
I am sure with your winning personality you are fabulous negotiator.
The agent community won't have to deal with you and the readers of DCUM will never have to see yet another one of your posts which are SO. DAMN. TIRESOME.
Lady, you are not an arbiter on who should and should not post here. This is an anonymous forum. It does not warrant that everyone will agree with you at all times. If someone likes Redfin, they have as much right to post here as you do. Your anger doesn't say good things about you.
Anonymous
10/21/2014 11:22
Subject: Re:why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you go out and get your real estate license and hang it with Redfin and then we will never have to see your silly posts here again? Doesn't that sound like a fabulous idea? That way, with ALL of the real estate that you are purportedly buying and selling, you can represent yourself!
I am sure with your winning personality you are fabulous negotiator.
The agent community won't have to deal with you and the readers of DCUM will never have to see yet another one of your posts which are SO. DAMN. TIRESOME.
You say the same thing each and every time:
1. You always reference Redfin.
2. You always reference the "real estate lobby." That would be The National Association of Realtors, by the way. Commonly referred to as NAR.
3. You are always fishing for marketing advice.
4. You always make cracks about balloons - perhaps you should consider working as a clown? You are well qualified.
5. You always make comments about "canned forms."
6. Finally, my personal favorite that you always seem to bring up "Anyone who graduated from high school can be an agent." This may very well be true. However, do you think the level of educated professionals in this city are going to hire an agent who only has a high school diploma? No.
It is clear from your writing skills that you may not be very well educated.
In the event that you do have a high school diploma, once again, I strongly encourage you to run on out there and get your real estate license! Become a Redfin agent! Learn how to fill out all of those canned forms! Pay your NAR dues! Use ALL of your hot air to fill up your balloons so we don't have to listen to you here anymore!
NP. I couldn't care less about that. All it would tell me is that some lit major couldn't get a job and got a real estate license instead. Big deal.
Anonymous
10/21/2014 11:18
Subject: Re:why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
Anonymous wrote:OP, why don't you go out and get your real estate license and hang it with Redfin and then we will never have to see your silly posts here again? Doesn't that sound like a fabulous idea? That way, with ALL of the real estate that you are purportedly buying and selling, you can represent yourself!
I am sure with your winning personality you are fabulous negotiator.
The agent community won't have to deal with you and the readers of DCUM will never have to see yet another one of your posts which are SO. DAMN. TIRESOME.
You say the same thing each and every time:
1. You always reference Redfin.
2. You always reference the "real estate lobby." That would be The National Association of Realtors, by the way. Commonly referred to as NAR.
3. You are always fishing for marketing advice.
4. You always make cracks about balloons - perhaps you should consider working as a clown? You are well qualified.
5. You always make comments about "canned forms."
6. Finally, my personal favorite that you always seem to bring up "Anyone who graduated from high school can be an agent." This may very well be true. However, do you think the level of educated professionals in this city are going to hire an agent who only has a high school diploma? No.
It is clear from your writing skills that you may not be very well educated.
In the event that you do have a high school diploma, once again, I strongly encourage you to run on out there and get your real estate license! Become a Redfin agent! Learn how to fill out all of those canned forms! Pay your NAR dues! Use ALL of your hot air to fill up your balloons so we don't have to listen to you here anymore!
You sound worried that the OP may be correct. Have you prepared yourself for when the time comes that people see agents for what they are? Your posts aren't helping your case.
Anonymous
10/21/2014 10:51
Subject: Re:why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
OP, why don't you go out and get your real estate license and hang it with Redfin and then we will never have to see your silly posts here again? Doesn't that sound like a fabulous idea? That way, with ALL of the real estate that you are purportedly buying and selling, you can represent yourself!
I am sure with your winning personality you are fabulous negotiator.
The agent community won't have to deal with you and the readers of DCUM will never have to see yet another one of your posts which are SO. DAMN. TIRESOME.
You say the same thing each and every time:
1. You always reference Redfin.
2. You always reference the "real estate lobby." That would be The National Association of Realtors, by the way. Commonly referred to as NAR.
3. You are always fishing for marketing advice.
4. You always make cracks about balloons - perhaps you should consider working as a clown? You are well qualified.
5. You always make comments about "canned forms."
6. Finally, my personal favorite that you always seem to bring up "Anyone who graduated from high school can be an agent." This may very well be true. However, do you think the level of educated professionals in this city are going to hire an agent who only has a high school diploma? No.
It is clear from your writing skills that you may not be very well educated.
In the event that you do have a high school diploma, once again, I strongly encourage you to run on out there and get your real estate license! Become a Redfin agent! Learn how to fill out all of those canned forms! Pay your NAR dues! Use ALL of your hot air to fill up your balloons so we don't have to listen to you here anymore!
I am sure with your winning personality you are fabulous negotiator.
The agent community won't have to deal with you and the readers of DCUM will never have to see yet another one of your posts which are SO. DAMN. TIRESOME.
You say the same thing each and every time:
1. You always reference Redfin.
2. You always reference the "real estate lobby." That would be The National Association of Realtors, by the way. Commonly referred to as NAR.
3. You are always fishing for marketing advice.
4. You always make cracks about balloons - perhaps you should consider working as a clown? You are well qualified.
5. You always make comments about "canned forms."
6. Finally, my personal favorite that you always seem to bring up "Anyone who graduated from high school can be an agent." This may very well be true. However, do you think the level of educated professionals in this city are going to hire an agent who only has a high school diploma? No.
It is clear from your writing skills that you may not be very well educated.
In the event that you do have a high school diploma, once again, I strongly encourage you to run on out there and get your real estate license! Become a Redfin agent! Learn how to fill out all of those canned forms! Pay your NAR dues! Use ALL of your hot air to fill up your balloons so we don't have to listen to you here anymore!
Anonymous
10/21/2014 10:15
Subject: why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
Anonymous wrote:http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucekasanoff/2014/04/04/real-estate-brokers-obsolete/
Warren Buffett disagrees.
Anonymous
10/21/2014 10:12
Subject: why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
Anonymous wrote:I have a friend who used a discount broker, got some commission money back from the agent. Friend was dissatisfied because the discount agent told her to accept $20K below what a comparable property sold for. She said she will never use them again and will pay full price for an agent.
These Redfin agents get paid a salary whether they have a transaction or not. They're compensation is not based in the sale price of the property. So they have reduced incentive.
NP here but this makes no sense. If they're paid regardless of whether the property sells they have less incentive to push the seller to accept a lower price. Also, the comp being tied to the sale price of the property is a crap argument. There's little incentive for a traditional realtor to hold out for an extra 20K because that gives her an extra $600 which is split with the broker (out of say, a $21,000 commission on a $700K house).
Anonymous
10/21/2014 09:52
Subject: why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
Anonymous wrote:the #1 thing that upsets me most about realtors is the fees. WHY is it that in other countries they have a 2% selling fee and that's it? This is the great con that realtors have shoved down our throats and we've accepted. If other countries don't have them, why do we need them? They are just a parasite on top of the real estate market. They prevent people from selling when they need to
The Real Estate agent lobby is strong. Sooner or later, we'll see a shift. They're holding on for dear life because agents realize they might be forced to get real jobs soon.
Anonymous
10/21/2014 09:49
Subject: why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
Anonymous wrote:http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203918304577243733524891636
It would be awesome to bid on a house like ebay.
Anonymous
10/21/2014 09:48
Subject: why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
the #1 thing that upsets me most about realtors is the fees. WHY is it that in other countries they have a 2% selling fee and that's it? This is the great con that realtors have shoved down our throats and we've accepted. If other countries don't have them, why do we need them? They are just a parasite on top of the real estate market. They prevent people from selling when they need to
Anonymous
10/21/2014 09:38
Subject: why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
Anonymous
10/21/2014 09:35
Subject: why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
Anonymous
10/21/2014 09:29
Subject: why on earth use a realtor v. redfin?
Anonymous wrote:The realtors I have spoken to or tried to work with make me do all the work (researching distances from metro, schools, etc.) and only put the zip codes into MLS and send me daily listings.
If I am going to do all the work (my budget is nowhere near big enough to catch anyone's attention I guess) why wouldn't I just use Redfin?
Am I missing something here?
This again?