There is a huge myth regarding agent fees. People believe all agents are equal. They select the lowest fee. They believe they are smart. If one charges less and the other is higher, they pick Agent A. They think they saved money in the pocket. This is wrong. The discount broker costs you the most in the end. The reason? The result is poorer. The gap in the final figure is often far bigger than the saving in fees.
Consider this. If they can't defend their own income, how will they negotiate your equity? They can't. They roll over immediately. If a low offer comes, the cheap agent says: "It is a good offer." They need the turnover. The last dollar doesn't matter. A good agent pushes for more. We know our worth.
I watch vendors locally drop tens of thousands to save $4,000 in fees. It is sad. You have one shot. The goal is the peak. You pay for performance. If the agent gets $20,000 more, even with a higher rate, you make more profit. That is what matters. Focus on what you keep, not the fee.
Price vs. Performance In Real Estate
Understand the distinction between price and result. A cheap suit and a tailored one are worlds apart. Local agents are the same. Some just open doors. They put it on the internet and hope. 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 deal. When the offer is "$600,000 is my limit", the order taker writes it up. The pro knows how to get them to $620,000. That increase is your money. That is skill.
Discounters churn and burn. They need to sell 10 houses to survive. They rush to maximize your price. They treat you like a number. I limit my listings. To give attention for you. I charge correctly to serve you best. Don't hire the busy fool.
How Negotiation Skills Impact Your Pocket
It isn't shouting. It is influence. Knowing tactics and staying calm. Reading people. It is creating FOMO. An expert pushes the price against themselves. We use competition to elevate value.
It takes practice to get right. It is gold. You engage us to do this. Not for the photo. You pay us to talk cash. If they are untrained, you lose. They ask for reductions instead of lifting the buyer. Easier to lower price than to lift a buyer. Lazy agents crunch sellers. Great agents lift buyers.
Ask them: "Show me how you negotiated." Hear what they say. If they just say "I got an offer and they accepted," run away. You need "I rejected the first offer." That is the winner. Brad Smith negotiates. That is my job.
Why Free Marketing Is A Myth
You might hear "no marketing costs." Sounds good? Be careful. There is no free lunch. If they pay, they spend the minimum. You get the small ad. Bad pictures. Small sign. The reason? they are paying. They minimize cost.
To get top dollar, you need exposure. Premiere listing on RealEstate.com.au. Video. Virtual styling. Targeted marketing. This costs money. It casts a wide net. More eyes = more offers. Competition = higher price. Being cheap on ads and lose a bidder, you might lose $10,000 in price. Poor return.
I recommend you pay for ads. Because then we control it. We do it properly to get the result. Your house. Showcase it. Don't hide it in the dark to save a grand. It creates the result.
The "Buying The Listing" Trick
A dirty tactic of bad agents lying about value. They promise it is worth millions when market value is less. Why? 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.
But you hired the liar. The good agent who was real lost the job. Don't reward lies. If it sounds too good way more than others, be suspicious. Show me the sales. Without proof, they are faking. I tell the truth. Evidence based. I might be lower, but I deliver. 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 partner who gets results at the top.
Questions You Must Ask Before Signing
When interviewing, ask these questions:
1. Explain negotiation.
2. Show me recent sales.
3. How learn the facts online do you auction?.
4. Justify your commission.
5. What is the plan?.
Their answers reveals the truth. If they waffle, don't hire them. If they are confident, hire them. If they drop their fee as soon as you ask, do not sign. If they can't defend their income, they will cost you.
Grill me. Challenge me. I have the answers. I deliver. Choose Brad Smith. I am not the cheapest, but because I am the best. Quality is always free with the final price.