Why The Cheapest Agent Costs You More

Sellers often misunderstand real estate commissions. They think that all agents are the same. So they choose the discount agent. They think it is a saving. If the fee is low and the other is higher, they go cheap. They calculate saving $5,000. But this is false economy. The low fee agent loses you money at settlement. Why? Because they sell your home for less. The lost value dwarfs than the commission difference.

Think about it. If they give up their own full fee, how will they negotiate your money? They can't. They give in straight away. When a buyer offers low, they advise: "You should sell." They want the quick sale. They don't fight. A pro fights for every dollar. We know our worth.

I see sellers in this market drop tens of thousands to save $4,000 in fees. It is tragic. 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

Know the gap between cost and value. McDonalds and fine dining are not the same. Local agents are no different. Some just open doors. They upload photos and wait for the phone to ring. That is easy. You could do that.

A negotiator markets proactively. We call buyers. We advise on presentation. We market aggressively. Key point: we negotiate. If someone says "$600,000 is my limit", the amateur accepts. The skilled agent knows they have more. That increase is your money. That is value.

Cheap agents need quantity. They need bulk sales to pay bills. They don't have time to negotiate properly. You are a transaction. I focus on quality. To work harder on your sale. My fee allows me to do the job properly. Avoid the churner.

The Skill Set That Matters Most

It's not fighting. It is a science. It is knowing when to speak and when to shut up. It is reading body language. It is creating FOMO. A good negotiator can make a buyer increase their offer against themselves. We use competition to elevate value.

It takes practice to perfect. It is worth money. You employ me for this reason. Not for the sticker. You pay us to handle the money conversation. If your agent is weak, they will cost you. They will suggest you drop your price because they can't get the buyer up. It is easier to crunch a seller than to lift a buyer. Lazy agents crunch sellers. Good agents build.

Ask them: "Tell me a story how you negotiated." Hear what they say. If they just say "I got an offer and they accepted," worry. Look for "I rejected the first offer." That is the winner. Brad Smith negotiates. That is my job.

Why Free Marketing Is A Myth

Discounters promise "no marketing costs." Sounds good? Be careful. There is no free lunch. If marketing is "free", they cut corners. Basic listing. 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. 3D tours. Social media ads. It is an investment. But it finds more buyers. Volume creates price. Bidding wars = profit. If you save $1,000 on marketing and fail to reach someone, you might lose $10,000 in price. Not smart.

I advise investing in marketing. We do it right. We go big to find the buyer. It is your asset. Showcase it. Don't hide it in the dark to save a grand. Marketing works.

Beware Of Over-Quoting Agents

A dirty tactic of bad agents lying about value. They tell you you will get a huge price when it is worth $600k. The goal is to win the job. You sign with them out of greed. Later, no offers. They blame the market. They ask for price drops to $600k. You get market value eventually.

But you hired the liar. The good agent who was real was rejected. Don't punish honesty. If the price seems high a crazy number, ask for proof. Show me the sales. Without proof, they are faking. Brad Smith gives honest appraisals. I base it on facts. My price might be less, I hit the target. We beat it through negotiation, not by lying at the start.

Be aware. There are tricks. Choose honesty. Select the person who tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. That is the expert who gets results for the max.

How To Spot A great Agent

In the appraisal, ask these questions:
1. How do you negotiate?.
2. Can you show me your track record?.
3. What view details reference if we get two bids?.
4. Justify your commission.
5. How will you find buyers?.

How they respond reveals the truth. If they are unsure, next. If they have a process, sign them. If they discount immediately, reject them. If they fold, they will cost you.

Grill me. Test me. I am prepared. I know my value. Choose Brad Smith. Not because I am cheap, but because I am the best. And the best costs nothing with the final price.