Bruss Shoots Himself In The Foot!
The St. Petersburg Times does not have a full time real estate editor that I know of, so each Saturday they run a syndicated column written by Robert J. Bruss. The column is called Real Estate Mailbag and I read it every time it appears and always enjoy it. Sometimes I agree with Robert Bruss' opinions, other times I don't. So, what else is new?
On Saturday, May 27th, Bruss wrote a little article that the Times headlined "Lower Commission Was False Economy". Super article. Really good job, Bob. Those of you who read this blog regularly know that I've been saying that cutting commissions is like cutting your throat in a slow market. I agreed with everything Bruss wrote until his last sentence.
In his last paragraph, Bruss wrote "As the home sales market slows, primarily as a result of rising interest rates, you need the best available agent." Okay, I agree with that; who wouldn't? Bruss continues, "This is not time to be cutting sales commissions or listing with an inexperienced new agent."
I beg your pardon Mr. Bruss, but here we must part company for a minute. Sure, keep the commission up so as to provide a bona fide incentive for buyer's agents, but what's really wrong with listing with a new agent?
I'm not a new agent. I've been in the real estate business since 1994 and hold a Florida broker's license. I'm no newbie. But ruling out new people in favor of "old pros" may not be to a seller's best interests. Many of the new people coming into this field offer sellers enthusiasm and skill sets that some of the older agents just don't have. Many new people have an in-depth understanding of the internet, computer and other forms of needed technology, the ability to prepare collateral materials and websites to help sell the property, and a burning desire to succeed in the face of stiff competition. They bring fresh new ideas to an often stuffy profession. I've seen way too many "old pros" doing the same old things for far too long. Sellers today need new ideas in marketing that will present their property to today's sophisticated buyers and an aggressive approach to real estate that many "experienced" agents have lost if they ever had it to begin with. Frankly, Mr. Bruss, I've seen new agents boldly go where experienced agents fear to tread; and pull it off once they got there!
How 'bout giving new agents a little more credit in your column? Sure, sometimes they goof up. But so do experienced agents. Nobody knows everything. I agree with everything you wrote in that article except your comments about new agents and their implied inability to sell listed properties. Right at that point, I think you shot yourself in the foot. I hope it didn't hurt too much.
On Saturday, May 27th, Bruss wrote a little article that the Times headlined "Lower Commission Was False Economy". Super article. Really good job, Bob. Those of you who read this blog regularly know that I've been saying that cutting commissions is like cutting your throat in a slow market. I agreed with everything Bruss wrote until his last sentence.
In his last paragraph, Bruss wrote "As the home sales market slows, primarily as a result of rising interest rates, you need the best available agent." Okay, I agree with that; who wouldn't? Bruss continues, "This is not time to be cutting sales commissions or listing with an inexperienced new agent."
I beg your pardon Mr. Bruss, but here we must part company for a minute. Sure, keep the commission up so as to provide a bona fide incentive for buyer's agents, but what's really wrong with listing with a new agent?
I'm not a new agent. I've been in the real estate business since 1994 and hold a Florida broker's license. I'm no newbie. But ruling out new people in favor of "old pros" may not be to a seller's best interests. Many of the new people coming into this field offer sellers enthusiasm and skill sets that some of the older agents just don't have. Many new people have an in-depth understanding of the internet, computer and other forms of needed technology, the ability to prepare collateral materials and websites to help sell the property, and a burning desire to succeed in the face of stiff competition. They bring fresh new ideas to an often stuffy profession. I've seen way too many "old pros" doing the same old things for far too long. Sellers today need new ideas in marketing that will present their property to today's sophisticated buyers and an aggressive approach to real estate that many "experienced" agents have lost if they ever had it to begin with. Frankly, Mr. Bruss, I've seen new agents boldly go where experienced agents fear to tread; and pull it off once they got there!
How 'bout giving new agents a little more credit in your column? Sure, sometimes they goof up. But so do experienced agents. Nobody knows everything. I agree with everything you wrote in that article except your comments about new agents and their implied inability to sell listed properties. Right at that point, I think you shot yourself in the foot. I hope it didn't hurt too much.
-30-
posted by Terry Ward at 10:34 AM
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