I wish that was true. The unfortunate truth however, is that some well-known companies have bought a franchise and are operating as almost 'rogue' agencies out there, offering limited service for as low as 1%.

Have you seen 4% Real Estate? It's a John L. Scott agent! And Phyllis Danforth bought a Coldwell Banker franchise down in Federal Way and she also supports limited-service agents, including Mr. Magnolia, who specializes in 1% listing packages. Windermere also has a few offices that are independant, such as their Oak Tree office, and they are not corporately-owned and they also compete against their full-service associates in other Windermere offices.

I'm sure those corporate CEO's are rueing the day they sold off their offices and good name to the highest bidder.

Marlow you are right. Coming from a corporate owned office, our services are fairly standard across the board. I forgot to take into account the franchise offices where there is no standardization on services provided.

Marlow,

Thank you for taking notice of my business model: 4% Real Estate. However, I ask you review my website for clarity. I am a full service real estate agent. I give all my clients the same treatment that my peers charging 6-7% are giving. Remember, real estate agents received a 30 - 50% raise over the last 3-4 years due to the increase of housing prices. Do you know any other profession that received that sort of pay raise?

So, whats the harm? I'm providing excellent real estate services to my clients, they save thousands of dollars, and I make a decent living. I'm not getting rich, but my clients aren't rich either. Most of the people I work with are blue collar workers or middle class folk.

Once again I appreciate your notice of my business model!

- Trevor Smith, 4% Real Estate

Trevor,

If the National Association of Realtors was a labor union, and we were union workers, you'd be a scab, my friend.

Marlow,

Are you suggesting that we fix real estate commissions? Please correct me if I'm wrong, but that's how I take your comment. Did you know that fixing commissions is a federal crime?

Marlow,

I have to say that your comments are interesting.

ONE. Are you suggesting that there should be a standardized commission fee? If you are, then I would have to say that you are not thinking this problem through. For example, I just sold my home due to financial hardship and the buyer also had limited funds to get into the house. So both realtors decided to accept a lower commission to get me out and the other family in. Does that make both realtors a “scab”? Of course not it is called service, and yes now I have referred many other people to my realtor. If people want to pay less for a limited service or a realtor needs to adjust commission for better service let them.

TWO. What ever happened to selling high dollar properties at a lower commission? For example my friend sold a multi-million dollar property at only a 2% commission. Does that make that realtor a “scab”? The answer is no. That realtor was plenty happy when he received almost $100,000 in less then one month.

THREE. The definition of “scab” is when someone passes a picket line or doesn’t cooperate with a strike. Last time I checked there were more realtors joining the ranks then you could even count.

Morale of long blog post…if you charge a higher commission and do more for your client then you can be satisfied that you provided a good service when the check comes in. If you charge a lower commission for your client and you do less for your client then you can be satisfied that you provided a good service when check comes in.

P.S. Oh, don’t forget to CLOSE THE DEAL. Because no deal = no green money.

Trevor, read my comment again: "If the National Association of Realtors was a labor union, and we were union workers, you'd be a scab."

Anonymous "Objective Observer": The term REALTOR(tm) is a trademarked term that refers to members of the National Association of Realtors. Not all real estate agents are REALTORS. When using the term REALTOR, it should be in all caps or at least the first letter capitalized.

And for the definition of "scab" see Jack London's speech "War of the Classes", first given before the Oakland Socialist Party Local, April 5, 1903.

Have a nice day!

Marlow,

You are an expert at avoiding questions and throwing red herrings. Do you believe fixing real estate commissions is OK or not?

Quoting speeches given to the socialist party is less than impressive, but it does probably tell me that you would like to see fixed real estate commissions.

My thing is this, If you are for the labor unions and the little guy, why don't you quit screwing Blue Collar Workers out of their hard earned equity by charging 6-7% commission?

Marlow's comments are completely out of line.

If the airlines were a union, any one of them that cuts an airfare would be called a 'scab'.

Well, Marlow, they were a 'union', tightly regulated by the Federal Government. Ever since the late 70s, the airlines have been deregulated, and the consumer has benefited greatly from the perfectly legal and encouraged competition.

I agree with Trevor here. You are calling him a scab because he isn't charging 6% - that is illegal. If you weren't so coy with your wording, I'm sure you could easily get into hot water with the NAR with such talk.

Instead of focusing on the services that you might provide over those that Trevor provides, and therefore calling out the reason why 6% makes sense for your business model, and your clients, you call him a scab!

If you can't control your emotions (and business is all about controlling your emotions), then perhaps you shouldn't be making these types of comments.

Marlow,

I am disappointed that you have chosen to leave/ignore this discussion. Please find my final response on my blog by clicking my name.

- Trevor