Warning! Don’t Ever Call The Phone Number On A Yard Sign!
June 28, 2008
If you are looking to buy a home or condo in the Fort Lauderdale real estate market, it may be in your best interest not to call the phone number or person named on a sign you see in front of a home. The person named more than likely represents the seller of the home and may not have your bests interests at heart.
If you were getting a divorce, would you let your spouse’s attorney represent you? Of course not, so why would you let a home seller’s representative counsel you? The person’s name on the sign is called the listing agent and he or she are working based upon a contract that they signed with the seller.
The listing agent’s job is to get the best deal possible for his client…who isn’t you. While they may smile and be very friendly, rest assured their primary objective is to get the best deal for their seller…and themselves.
You see if a listing agent can bring the seller a buyer who calls off of a sign, chances are they are able to keep both sides of the commission.
Both sides? Well in the contract that the listing agent signed with the seller the seller agreed to pay the listing agent or his broker a certain amount of commission. Often this amount is 6% of the sales price.
Obviously the higher the sales price, the better for the seller and definitely better for the listing agent. Most of the time the listing agent must share the commission with an other agent who may bring a buyer but if they can get someone to answer an ad or call off of the sign in the yard then most likely they can keep the entire commission.
Now do you see why it’s not always the best thing for a prospective homebuyer to call the number on a yard sign?
As a prospective home buyer you need and should have someone in YOUR corner advising you as to YOUR best interest. Don’t let someone draft a contract on your behalf without your own counsel reviewing it. It could really cost you a lot of money.
If you are looking for a home or condo in the Fort Lauderdale real estate market and you want to be sure you are working with an agent who is looking out for your best interests, then you may want to find a Buyer’s Agent who will work exclusively on your behalf.
I work with buyers and represent buyers. I also feel that in today’s real estate market that good buyers should be rewarded. If you afford me the opportunity to work with you in finding you your new home, I will agree to rebate you one third of the commission paid on the transaction.
You will actually get paid for buying a house! Here’s an example.
Let’s say that the house you want to buy is $300,000.00 and the listing agent is offering the Buyer’s agent a split of commission that is 3%. That 3% comes to $9,000.00.
From that $9,000.00 we will give you a buyer’s rebate of $3,000.00. This money can be used for anything you want. Pay closing costs, buy furniture, go on a trip…whatever you want.
You get paid just for allowing me to help you. You wouldn’t know it but giving buyers rebates and cash back at closing is completely legal and we believe that in this the Internet age with you searching for properties and reading blogs and doing so much research on your own that it’s only right that you should be entitled to some money on the home buying transaction.
Many real estate agents hate the fact that some of us offer rebates. Some will insist that it is illegal. Some will tell you horror stories about “limited service”. This is sour grapes. In fact, the idea of rebates was looked at by the Department of Justice and rebates are completely legal and encouraged in most states. The DOJ actually concluded that rebates on commission can actually make buying a home less expensive. (read this)
The real estate business model is changing every day. The Internet is giving the consumer more power in the home buying process. While the Department of Justice had to sue the National Association of Realtors to break the chains of old practices, we as agents are now empowered to really provide a true level of open and professional communication with prospective home buyers like never before.
I will do everything and more to make sure your home buying experience is exciting, memorable and fulfilling.
I guarantee to represent you from the initial tour of homes, to contract development, through offer negotiation and then my team of real estate professionals including attorneys, inspectors and title agents, will make sure you have a smooth and timely closing.
And when it’s all over, you’ll get a nice sized check…simply for allowing me to serve you. As you are looking around for your new Fort Lauderdale real estate home or condo, ask around.
See if you can find many agents, if any, who would be willing to provide you with exclusive, full service representation AND give you a rebate of one third of their commission. Rebates are available on just about any purchase including foreclosures and bank owned properties.
When you are ready to buy, give me a call, and remember, don’t you dare call that number in any ad or on any yard sign…that is unless you don’t mind telling the seller your secrets and foregoing a couple thousand dollars.
Here some other posts you may find interesting...
Fort Lauderdale Real Estate
Fort Lauderdale Homes And Condos For Sale
If you are interested in learning more about buying a home or condo in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in South Florida; or if you need any information about the Fort Lauderdale real estate market, please feel free to contact me and it would be my pleasure to assist you.You can contact me at the number shown below or please feel free to contact me by the form below and I, or one of my assistants, will be sure to get right back to you within a few hours, if not sooner.
If you are inquiring about a specific property shown on this site, please include the address of the property in the comment section of the contact form below.
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Robin Sing-Cunningham
robins@robinashley.com
Access USA Realty
Local Fort Lauderdale | South Florida : 954-709-7461
My Assistants:
Barry Johnson: bjohnson@robinashley.com
