Warning: This Realtor Trick Is Used To Fool Home Sellers

Just when I think I’ve heard it all in my 20 plus years in the real estate brokerage business, a new realtor trick has come across my desk and it makes me sick.

Now before I continue with this rant/warning, I first want to say that this is not a condemnation of REALTORS® as a group, rather it is isolated to those that exist in an industry that also has some very fine professionals who would never do such a thing.

Nevertheless, there are real estate “professionals” who will use any realtor trick in the bag in order to get business. And this newest one makes me angry enough to write about it as a warning to people who need to sell a home.

Realtor Trick – I Will Sell Your Home For Free

Recently, a homeowner that we spoke to told us that he is “upside down in my home,” and that he wants to do a short sale.

He had planned on listing the property for sale with the agent that sold him the home because the agent said …

I feel so guilty selling you a home that has dropped so much in value. To help make things right, I will list it and won’t charge you a thing.

So what is the realtor trick here?

Well, I suspect the agent does not feel guilty, as it is typical for short sale commissions to be paid by the lien holder.

That’s right … nearly every REALTOR® would sell the home without the seller having to pay a fee. But I doubt this agent mentioned that fact to the home seller.

Don’t Be Fooled By A Realtor Trick

So basically the realtor trick here is to “sell you” on a free service, when in fact pretty much our whole industry would not charge a fee to the seller. This is yet another to add to the list of lies you might hear from a listing agent.

My advice is to interview enough real estate professionals until you are certain you have the right person for the job. Don’t be fooled by a realtor trick when it is easy enough to comparison shop for the best fit.

If you are thinking about short selling a home, make sure you find an real estate company that has broad experience in handling short sales. You might be amazed out just how few short sales somebody using a realtor trick has actually closed.

In this case, the agent offering “free service” has closed only one short sale in 2012. Not exactly what I would call vast experience.

If you would like to discuss selling your home, just drop me a note and we can schedule a time to discuss your specific situation and needs. I promise to answer your questions honestly and accurately and will never use a realtor trick to gain your business.