ABC News Real Estate Expert Drops Bombshell

Real estate expert Gary Keller, chairman of Keller Williams Realty Inc., one of the largest real estate franchises in North America and  the author of the best-selling "Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times," provided consumers with some important tips on how to sell a home during today's market.

Sellers were urged not to be greedy to avoid the dangers of overpricing in a down market.  They were told not to be lazy and to prepare the home carefully for the market by de-cluttering and provide effective staging.  No real news here.  Then he laid a bombshell...at least in the for-sale-by-owner world.

"Real state agents across the country tell sellers they need to be available for showings and willing to negotiate prices. Sellers should be able to answer prospective buyers' questions about schools and the neighborhood -- and even the neighbors themselves."
Did he really say that real estate agents WANT sellers to be present during showings?  What about the "arms length transaction" where sellers are to be as far away from the house as possible during showings so they don't say anything stupid in front of the buyer that could blow a sale?  Keller seems to be saying that agents NEED home sellers because no one else knows there home better than the sellers themselves.  Mr. Keller, I couldn't agree with you more.

So, let me get this straight....if sellers are doing the showings, answering questions for buyers, pulling together information on schools and amenities of the neighborhood, putting together picture albums for buyers, paying to prepare and stage their homes, just what is it that the real estate agent does for the 6% commission?

Without saying it, Mr. Keller made a very good case for NOT using a real estate agent.  Thanks Mr. Keller.

If you'd like to read the full story or watch the video, log onto ABC News.

By: elizabethprovo | In: News | Comments: 0 | On: 02/26/2010 10:22:27

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