Could you further elaborate on this remark?

If Realtors are overpaid, why is it that NINE OUT OF TEN new licensees quit by their third year?

Why would they give up all that easy money coming in?

Does that make any sense to you Pilot??

I think they are overcome by the guilt they feel for taking all that money they don't deserve.

I have to make a quick run to the Bank !

You actually do your bank runs yourself? Why bother with menial tasks like that? Why not hire a full-time assistant who does nothing but drive back and forth to the bank each day depositing all your grotesquely huge checks? You should also consider hiring a full-time assistant who does nothing but wash and polish your Lamborghini.

Vermont, you just don't get it. Doing your own puny errands?

Sheesh....I'm ashamed of you!

People think so because they don't understand nor appreciate what an agent's experience and knowledge can bring into a deal. An agent can help you keep more of your equity or can help you minimize your losses if you are upside down.

People venture into selling by owner because they think that it is easy. They don't know the first thing about pricing a property, the legal documents needed to keep out of trouble, the steps needed to keep a deal together, in particular if it's in I.C.U. as mentioned by Vermont007. Getting an offer on a property is just the beginning.

In a declining market, if you have to sell, there is no time to experiment. Selling sooner rather than later could be the difference between keeping or losing thousands. Many have lost thousands because they didn't want to listen to their professional realtor or even have one for that matter, and by the time they finally came to their senses and were able to sell, they had lost so much that should they had listened earlier on they could have paid the commission and still come ahead in the end.

I do it myself at night because that is the only time I get to think; and also the only time that the Lamborghini is available. I don't ever want to be seen by the Locals driving it during daylight, so it stays in our Shampoo Parlor.

Like, duh, you are not supposed to, er, think. That's for doctors and pilots and Brad Pitt. You're just supposed to put a sign in a yard, and a big check in yer pocket dontcha know.

Think. What am I gonna do with you?

Only because when I'm cruising in that Lamborghini through the mountains on a pitch black night, the Vermont DMV demands that I be vigilant and "Think" about the Moose and Bear and Deer that frequently jump out in front of me. If it were only up to me, I wouldn't think at all . . . . but the DMV makes me do it.

Now, after all this criticism, I have a hankering to cruise on over to the Bank again before dawn; just to check my balances on the ATM . . . . but this time I'll do it in a thoughtless manner.

"Men fear thought as they fear nothing else on earth - more than ruin - more even than death.... Thought is subversive and revolutionary, destructive and terrible, thought is merciless to privilege, established institutions, and comfortable habit. Thought looks into the pit of hell and is not afraid. Thought is great and swift and free, the light of the world, and the chief glory of man." (Bertrand Russell, British philosopher, 1872-1970)

Well "like it or not" you've started a debate.

If prices go up, why do people still use agents?

Please explain to us how the booming FSBO is a problem in the real estate industry.

You obviously have a problem with agents being overpaid, yet you're not taking less than the "average" agent? Kind of hypocritical to me. So you don't have a problem with the pay for transactions, you just have a problem with agents who can complete WAAAAAAY more transactions than you? To those who dont "do this for fun, part time" ??? Make up your mind!!

Please do not take any of this personal, which many are. The fact is this : You are only worth what people think your service is worth. Or you could say you are paid what your worth. If you think you are UNDERPAID please by all means raise your rates and let me know how that works. FSBO and the internet is a problem in the industry because it is taking money away from your pocket. There are still a lot of successful transactions that are being conducted without an agents help. There is a high turn over in any industry. How many pre-law or pre-med students actually graduate? This industry is not for everyone and since the only way to figure out if you like it or not is to try it there will be a high turn over.

Except on this Thread, FSBOS ARE NOT a major Threat. As a matter of fact, FSBOs provide me with another source of income in my Consulting business. I have little problem selling my time on an hourly basis to these Folks. Quite a few subsequently become Clients.

FSBOs are actually more concientious than most of the other Sellers that we counsel "for free" in anticipation of being compensated with some elusive percentage of a Transaction that may or may not be consummated at some future date. Time is not so free-flowing when it has a meter associated with it. I don't do for them what they can do for themselves.

I also provide a consultation service to Buyers who are thinking about, or are already engaged in purchasing a FSBO; and I make every effort to "not put cold water" on what might otherwise be a good deal. They too, at some future point, often become Customers, and even Clients. This IS NOT a business that provides immediate gratification.

An "Honest Broker" will always have a place. Some of us have Post-Graduate Degrees; but like you, can practice Real Estate for the "fun" of it. That's what this Forum is, a good place to practice; hone, and yes, even sometimes "think" about this business that allows us to have such an impact on the future course of Others' Lives . . . . even FSBOs !

So much for the Filosofy of FSBOs. Bertrand Russell could contribute much to our discussion; but "Too much thinking will Dull the Mind". Anonymous

Are "Mr. Owens" and "Reggie Owens" one and the same Person ? What prompted this change ?

I'm sorry; but I have to pay attention to these subtle changes in the World around me.

Most of the Reginalds I know choose to go by Junnie when you get to know them.