Sellers often misunderstand what agents charge. The assumption is all agents are equal. They select the discount agent. They believe they are smart. If one charges less and the other is higher, they pick Agent A. The math says money in the pocket. This is dangerous math. The discount broker is usually the most expensive eventually. How? They achieve a lower price. The difference in your sale price dwarfs than the commission difference.
Use logic. If an agent cannot negotiate their own money, how can they defend your house price? They don't. They roll over immediately. If a low offer comes, the cheap agent says: "It is a good offer." They need the turnover. They don't care about your extra $10k. A pro fights for every dollar. We are professionals.
I watch vendors in this market drop tens of thousands to save $4,000 in fees. It is sad. You sell your home once. The goal is the peak. The fee is an investment. By achieving $20,000 more, even with a higher rate, you are $15,000 better off. Look at the bottom line. Focus on what you keep, not the expense.
The Difference Between Cost And Value
Understand the distinction between cost and value. A cheap suit and a tailored one are worlds apart. Real estate agents gawler are no different. Some are order takers. They list online and wait. Anyone can do that. Why pay for that?.
A professional creates competition. We chase leads. We manage the look. We write compelling ads. Crucially: we close. When the offer is "$600,000 is my limit", the order taker writes it up. I know how to squeeze. The gap pays the fee 4 times over. That is performance.
Budget brokers churn and burn. They need to sell 10 houses to make a living. They are too busy to maximize your price. You are just another sale. I limit my listings. So I can dedicate time for you. My commission enables me to serve you best. Don't be a number.
How Negotiation Skills Impact Your Pocket
Negotiation is not arguing. It is psychology. Knowing silence and when to listen. Understanding signals. Building pressure. An expert gets more money willingly. We use scripts to get the max.
It is learned to get right. It is gold. You engage us for this reason. Not for the sticker. You pay us to talk cash. If they are scared, you lose. They ask for reductions instead of lifting the buyer. It is easier to crunch a seller than to lift a buyer. Lazy agents crunch sellers. Good agents build.
Ask them: "Show me how you negotiated." Hear what they say. If they just say "I got an offer and they accepted," worry. You need "I created a bidding war." That is the winner. Brad Smith negotiates. That is my promise.
Why Free Marketing Is A Myth
You might hear "no marketing costs." Sounds good? Be careful. There is no free lunch. If marketing is "free", they spend the minimum. Bottom tier. Bad pictures. You get no signboard. Because they are paying. They want to spend less.
For the best result, you need exposure. Premiere listing on RealEstate.com.au. Video. Floorplans. Facebook boost. It is an investment. But it finds more buyers. Volume creates price. Bidding wars = profit. If you save $1,000 on marketing and lose a bidder, you might lose $10,000 in price. Not smart.
I recommend investing in marketing. Because then we control it. We go big to get the result. Your house. Give it the best chance. Don't be invisible to save a few dollars. Marketing works.
The "Buying The Listing" Trick
A common scam of cheap agents promising a high price. They say your home is worth $700k when reality is lower. They do this to flatter you. They get the listing because you want $700k. Once listed, no offers. They blame the market. They ask for price drops to where it should be. And you sell for $600k after wasting time.
You chose the fake. The honest agent who said $600k missed out. Be smart. If an agent promises to be true, be suspicious. Prove it. If they can't, it is a lie. I value correctly. Evidence based. I might be lower, I achieve it. I get more via strategy, not false hope.
Protect yourself. Real estate is full of sharks. Look for integrity. Pick the agent reality, not fairytales. That is the guide who will actually sell your home for the best price.
The Interview Checklist For Sellers
When interviewing, checklist this:
1. What is your tactic?.
2. Prove your results.
3. How do you auction?.
4. Explain general guide guide your cost.
5. What is the plan?.
What they say shows their skill. If they waffle, walk away. If they are sharp, they are the one. If they cut commission without a fight, reject them. If they can't defend their income, they will lose your equity.
Ask me. Test me. I am prepared. I am confident. Choose Brad Smith. Not because I am cheap, I get results. Excellence costs nothing ultimately.