Comments on: Housing Rumble: Online Debate at U.S. News & World Report

By: Tony Sena

Tony Sena — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:09:31 +0000

Hey Jay,

Congrats on the opportunity and I am sure you will do well.

I read your reply and the only thing I would add is that most successful real estate agents have a large database of clients that they market their newest listings to as long as it matches their home search criteria.

In regards to marketing, a FSBO can use the free sources on the Internet to market their home but they don’t have as many resources and experience to know where to market a home like a real estate agent.

By: Teri Lussier

Teri Lussier — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:27:34 +0000

Congrats on the gig!

By: Hunter Jackson

Hunter Jackson — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:57:06 +0000

Congrats Jay! I know you’ll serve us all well!

By: Mortgage Samson

Mortgage Samson — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:04:46 +0000

Do you need a real estate agent to sell your home?

No you don’t; you only need one if you want it to be sold/closed.

By: Keahi Pelayo

Keahi Pelayo — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:32:53 +0000

ask him if he cuts his own hair?
Thanks,
Keahi

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:22:10 +0000

Wow! I’m flattered. If my comment helps, feel free to use it.

By: D. Patrick Lewis

D. Patrick Lewis — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:08:39 +0000

Why wouldn’t you want a Professional Realtor working for you? I truly believe one of our greatest functions as Realtors is to manage expectations, be an unemotional voice of reason and an advocate for our clients. Those qualities along with negotiation and communication skills are qualities that can’t be capitalized on in a FSBO transaction. Not to mention, the seller may save some bucks but the commission-ectomy can be painful if something is missed.

Lastly, great first volley Jay, can’t wait to see the rebuttal tomorrow.

By: Vicki Lloyd

Vicki Lloyd — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:56:48 +0000

Go Jay! I’ve just added this discussion to my feedreader and will add my 2 cents to the debate when it seems appropriate.

By: Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy

Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:04:34 +0000

Laura – brilliant comment! Mind if I use part of it in my rebuttal in the debate?

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:55:52 +0000

I’m an attorney with transactional real estate experience and I won’t buy or sell a house without an experienced agent. Nobody ever wants to hire a lawyer, either, but think they can do it themselves until the damage is already done. It always costs far, far more to clean up a legal mess than to avoid it in the first place. And most real estate messes become legal messes pretty fast. The problem for both our professions are the practitioners who either don’t know what they’re doing or just don’t care. People who’ve had bad experiences just don’t realize how much easier a competent agent can make a thoroughly stressful process.