I read and interesting article (below) sent to a reporter by a home owner. His (homeowner) take on the market is that real estate brokers should share in the losses created by a declining market.  What he doesn't understand is that real estate brokers already are.

What I think is more important about this article is recognizing an opportunity. One of the many great things about the Assist-2-Sell concept is saving people money and charging a fair commission in any market. Make no mistake about it, home sellers need us now more than ever. Home equity in America is at historic lows and every dollar counts.  Not only is Assist-2-Sell the best option, In many cases we may be the only option.

As a real estate broker/agent you are a problem solver. Someone has a need to buy or sell a home; you can solve that problem for them. What is one of the biggest problems home owners are facing right now? They need to sell and most have very little equity.  Assist-2-Sell can solve that problem better than anyone else.

DEAR BENNY: I had my home priced under the market price and recently took it away from the brokers so I could lower the price even more. Why? Well, I have a beautiful, wonderfully priced home and did not get any offers.

In this period of downturn in the real estate market, each week we are told, "Price your house under the market value or pull it off the market."

My question is this: Why is it entirely on the homeowners to take a hit when this whole mess was not their fault -- except some got greedy on the price? Homeowners would be less resistant to lowering the price if the real estate brokers would also lower their commission rates. Is it a state law that they cannot lower their fees? We are in this together and we need some incentives from the real estate brokers. --Bob

Full Story 

We have all heard the saying, "real estate is all about location, location, location." But I have a nice home in a great location why doesn't it sell?

What does it really take to sell a home in today's real estate market? Is it location, new carpet, fresh landscaping, offering a free trip to Hawaii, paying closing cost, or offering more commission to buyers agents? No. The saying sellers and agents should get to know and love is, "real estate is about price, price, price."

The right price will overcome anything. Think about it, if a home is in a bad location but the price is right, it will sell. If the home is in bad condition but priced well, it will sell. If a home stinks and has no landscaping, with the right price tag it will sell.

Auctions, bank owned properties, and short sales seem to get all the attention, why is that? Is it because buyers and agents love the excitement of an auction and want to fight over the house with countless other buyers? Or maybe buyers love the idea of buying a home that was foreclosed on, has a dead lawn, hasn't been lived in for over a year, and needs a lot of maintenance? Or maybe agents and buyers like the challenge of trying to get a short sale approved and closed? I am being sarcastic but I think I made the point.

Get your home/listing priced right, make it a "deal" and it will sell. Think about adding value with creative financing options. Lease options and owner carries. If the home has a loan with a great interest rate, find out if it is assumable. Many loans are assumable with qualifying. If the loan has a 5% fixed rate assumable loan this can be a great "deal" for a buyer.