Letters to the Editor

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Letters

?Real Estate Industry Warming?

www.rismedia.com, August 1, 2006

Sunshine on a Rainy Day

It has rained all day today in Kauai, and fortunately Allan Dalton?s article on industry warming provided all the sunshine necessary.

Specifically after reading Mr. Dalton?s article on ?industry warming,? I did something I very seldom do: I read the entire article five more times?not because it was unclear or confusing, but instead, because it is as insightful a thesis regarding the challenges we broker/owners and our associates are dealing with that I have encountered in all my years in real estate.

As difficult as it is to make industry warming a serious subject when placed next to global warming, Mr. Dalton was obviously up to the task and his views and recommendations should be required reading for everybody in our industry. What a refreshing change from the unending procession of industry leaders just pounding their chest over how each of their companies provides the best service. Please give us more of this caliber of visionary thinking. Thanks again for bringing such genius to the industry. Aloha!

Tracy D. Davidson

Tropical Paradise Realty, LLC

Lihue, Hawaii

?NAR: Local Markets Drive Competition?

www.rismedia.com, July 27, 2006

?Consumer Federation of America Releases Harsh Report on Real Estate Industry?

www.rismedia.com, June 21, 2006

Reputation and Competency Are Key

The testimony of NAR President-elect Pat Vredevoogd Combs is so true. As in any other field, reputation and competency will determine who the consumer hires, and the fee they are willing to pay, and the fee the broker is willing to accept for their professional services. The consumer has choices.

This is one of the few professions where the agent or broker performs but has no guarantee of payment. The broker?s services are free to the client until the day of closing. Only then are they paid, and from that payment the cost of doing business is deduced.

Marketing costs have escalated dramatically?from print media and television to Internet sites and enhancements; the hard costs of new computers, software, consultants to keep the technology working and current; the liability issues and E&O insurance and more. We also deal with the time and expertise of the agent, continuing education, payment of assistants to help with the ever-growing documentation, the direct costs of showing the properties to the client, the time, wear and tear of the agent?s personal vehicle, and the gas?all with no guarantee of payment.

With regard to the CFA report, I believe it is biased and I do not feel an accurate representation of the industry. These individuals, who collect a paycheck without the risks that we in this profession take on a daily basis to serve our clients, need to understand that consumers do have choices, the marketplace creates competition, and today?s MLS serves the consumer well under the control of the local governing Boards.

Joan MacPherson

Dyson and Dyson

Coachella Valley, California

?Austin Board of Realtors Reacts to Antitrust Claims by FTC?

www.rismedia.com, July 17, 2006

Separating Your Listings

I think that consumer advocates are well meaning but wrong when they try to force Realtor associations to allow their services to be used by any member to promote any kind of listing agreement other than exclusive right to sell. The reason is that the consumers (buyers and sellers alike) are confused and misled by having properties show up on MLS services that are not exclusive right-to-sell listings. There should be two separate Web sites: one for exclusive right to sell and one for all non-exclusive listings.

Buyers or sellers do not understand the complications and disappointments they can run into with these listings. Many times, buyers are working with a buyer?s broker to represent them and the situations Realtors run into on the non-exclusive listings. This creates adverse circumstances that sometimes make both the listing and selling broker look bad to the consumer.

I think the real problem lies in the type of listing more than in the amount charged. It changes the rules we all have to work by when the listing is not an exclusive right to sell. The amount we are willing to work for is another problem entirely. In a cooperative offering such as MLS, brokers know ahead of showing a property what the co-op fee is in an exclusive right-to-sell listing. They are able to decide if it is practical for them to show the listing or send their buyer straight to the listing agent to sell it to them.

Peggy Pryor

Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty

Chattanooga, Tennessee