...it just makes cents

How to Sell a house in Michigan
Truthful Real Estate Facts-  

We'll be the first to admit, up until a decade ago, franchised brokers were untouchable with the purchaser buying homes.  However, due to the technology available today with the Internet, we’re now all on the same playing field and the Michigan Discount Realtor is changing the direction of real estate sales in Michigan.  It's a bargain that all homesellers should be using.  It's an excellent alternative to traditional real estate agencies. The group that was once so elite, now has to prove what what is being offered in exchange for their exuberant fees is somehow more effective than a Broker who performs the same service, but charges less.

Sensible Realty has pioneered an affordable idea, and has become the perfect balance of #1, quality Full Service, at a reasonable cost.  Not only does this benefit the homeowner but the Realtor compensation package is impressive. Today's home seller is battling a different breed of market.  Flexible attitude is significant.  In order to gain the real estate edge, the homeowner must realize that it boils down to supply and demand which brings it to price.  The inventory is tremendous and the process simple.  Online access has changed the industry, expenses and home selling options.  It's bringout the ugly as well, like flat fee and MLS entry only.  Buyer Beware.   

The realtors at Sensible Realty have been in the residential real estate business a long time.  Agents have seen the highs and survived the lows during the normal fluctuations throughout the decades.  Sensible Realty doesn't like to compare themselves to other real estate agencies, be it big, small, national or local.  The traditional system works just fine, it's the costs that can't be justified.  Michigan Discount Realtors are giving franchisers a run for their money.  Michigan home sellers will not be paying 6% for much longer.  Sellers don't have to.  Like the homeowner, agents are consumers too and are always looking to spend money wisely. 

Realtors need to offer VALUE to their clients, and in most cases the value is similar from broker to broker.  However, there is a difference between Full-Service agencies and ones that "offer to help u sell" thus providing limited services which is a range of services (think fast food drive-thru) that come with a range of fees.  At the end of the day, it's almost a guarantee that the homeowner will exceed 6%. Full-Service boils down to what the homeowner is getting for their buck.  Real Estate in itself is starting to change, and if the homeowner is not educated on the facts, Michiganders could be taken down a long road without ever reaching the destination.

There are so many Michigan real estate myths out there about the variety of Brokers that Sensible Realty wanted to put some of those misconceptions to rest.  It's very important to know what Full-Service means, and Sensible Realty provides homeowners with answers to the questions that arise with the subject of real estate.  Sensible Realty certainly anticipates this site having been educational, informative, and most importantly TRUTHFUL.  Enjoy a sensible take on the issues at hand.

What are Franchised Brokers saying about their competition
in order to justify 6%?

"Those companies don't have offices, they work out of their cars or homes."

• Sensible Realty is simply sensible.  TRUTH; How does one define an office? The realtor goes to the home where the process is reviewed, measured and signed.  Follow up is usually maintained by phone, snail mail or e-mail.  Closing can take place anywhere that occupies a phone, fax and a computer.  An office is a nice place to hold a closing and show off where the homeowner's money is going...Franchisers need to argue a more valid point there. 
  
  

"Those companies only have 3-10 agents in their office, where we have 80."

• So what does that mean?  TRUTH, in actuality, ALL realtors have over 10,000 agents working for each of them at any given time whether in an office of 80 agents or 3.  It's called the MLS (Multiple Listing Service).  With over 10,000 members on the MLS cooperating with each other, the job really does get done.  With this potential, imagine the number of people who will see, view and perhaps purchase the home... Again, franchisers need to come up with an argument that makes sense.
  
  

"Try calling one of those companies... No one ever answers the phone.  If the phone can't be answered, scheduling a showing won't take place.  If no showing, no sale."

• Well, it looks like the franchiser and Sensible Realty, do see eye to eye on a couple of things!  TRUTH, it's a darn good thing Sensible Realty is not one of those companies.  All brokerages have had to deal with them - my heart goes out to those who are contracted with brokers who forget that a ringing phone means a possible sale...This is just not what Sensible Realty Services is all about.
  
  

"Our company has national and international recognition."

• It sure does.  TRUTH, ALL brokers have this recognition.  Even the bad ones.  Thanks to the internet and realtor.com for our needs, everything is national, international and easily accessible.  Online is everywhere, always and at any time, whenever.  Franchised brokers are NO LONGER exclusive to that privilege.  Times are changing for the industry and it's just that simple.  The difference is that Sensible Realty will charge less, for the same service.  Yoo Hoo...  4%. 

"Another advantage the Franchisers offer, is that every week at the office meeting, we conduct what's called a "caravan."  It's where all the agents tour new listings taken by their agents. This way, when a phone call comes in about the home, since it was seen - the realtor can speak intelligently about it."

• TRUTH, Franchisers are making somewhat of an effort here.  However, unless the realtor is one of those lucky enough to have a photographic memor, agents will not remember the fine details that homes have to offer 3 months or a hundred homes later.  It's a sales job folks!  Granted, it's important for all realtors to know the product and their clients, but even franchisers would be lying if notes didn't have to be refered to from time to time.
  
  

• See... Franchisers are consistently wasting the money of Michigan home sellers.  Unfortunately, those magazines are getting thinner and thinner.  TRUTH, agents are realizing that those ads are getting very expensive and not generating enough activity to warrant spending homesellers money.  Franchised brokers are cutting way back and are aware that 97% of all home buyer's are looking on the internet. The (2) greatest forms of advertising are the signs infront of the home and Realtor.com (another forum for the MLS)...Not even the franchiser, can dispute this important fact. 

" Yes, I'll do Open Houses"

• Another way to justify the 6% (which equates to about $5000).  For that kind of money, I guess I could sit at the house for a couple of hours and make the homeowner think I'm earning my keep.  TRUTH, Open houses don't sell homes!  Open Houses are for the realtors benefit to gain potential buyers.  If business were slow, agents might take advantage and hold one... Otherwise, let the MLS and the numerous webs sites do their magic.
  

"Franchisers are trained professionals, constantly adding to resumes, taking additional real estate courses and continuing education."

• Yep!  TRUTH, ALL realtors were franchisers at one time or another.  The training was superb, again, it's the price... not the method...
  Thanks for driving that point home.
  
  

"Do Michigan Discount Realtors offer full commission to the Buyers Agent (3%), the house will never be shown if not... The house needs to be shown, right?"

• Of course home sellers want their homes shown!  TRUTH, Sensible Realty gives the Buyers Agent the full 3% that has always been customary.  Sensible Realty keeps just 1%.  It makes for happy clients.  Everybody wins.
  
  

"You know what they say... You get what you pay for."  

• (personal favorite)  The question is  -  What is the Michigan homeowner paying for? 
  

WHAT QUALIFIES A FULL-SERVICE REALTOR TO BE ONE
     ...And what do full service realtors do?

• Provides a CMA (comparative market analysis) to determine the value of homes, based on similar properties that have sold in the neighborhood.
• Prepares a comprehensive plan outlining the efforts to get homes sold (how brokers will market the home, show it, etc.)
• Makes viewing homes available to as many "qualified buyers" as possible by means of maximum exposure.
• Provides constructive advice on what homes need to look like to attract ALL potential buyers.
• Obtains and Negotiates any and all offers to meet the needs of both buyers and sellers so a sale is achieved.
• Answers questions about the local market.
• Provides local information on schools, the neighborhood, churches, the economy and much more.
• Feature Sheets
• Scheduling Showings
• Providing Feedback from people/agents walking through
• Lock box / Lawn Sign
• Verifying credentials
• Affiliations with reputable lenders
• Fair and equitable title/mortgage companies
• Reference Availability (including Home Inspectors, Stagers, etc.)
• Concierge Services (handymen, housekeepers, painters, plumbers, etc.)

Now... What does all this mean?

• CMA- Any broker who has access to the MLS can provide this service to their clients (it should be free of charge).
• Comprehensive Marketing Plan- These are the available avenues 
     - Where advertise?
     - How often advertise?
     - What postcard(s) will be sent, and why?
     - What price should the home be listed at, and why?
     - What e-mails will be sent and why?
     - What is the purpose of Open Houses and how often?
     - What websites will be utilized?
     - What message (blurb) will be used for everyone to see?
     - What exposure will be provided on the internet?
• Exposure- As we mentioned before, the MLS has over 10,000 members that have access to view  listings and pass them on to their clients (this includes people moving here from out of state).  This is by far the greatest form of advertising and supercedes any other.  An educated agent will also ONLY show homes to those prospective buyers who have already been pre-qualified by a reputable lender.  Otherwise time is being wasted.
• Constructive Advice- The agent, as well as the homeowner have a vested interest in getting the home sold. If the home looks like mine (meaning there are issues with clutter and a dated appearance, etc.), and the buyer has 30 other homes to choose from (5 of which are on the same street), the agent should help by giving truthful advice about how to solve the problem.  This is often where a Professional Home Stager may come in handy.  A realtor that is "in the know" should have a stager on hand to refer.  Home Stagers help the homeowner ease attachments to the home as well as remove personal photos, religious artifacts, and items that "some" may find offensive or off color.  The reason for this is because of the HUGE array of personalities out there.  Homes need to appeal to the masses and not exclude any particular personality from seeing themselves living there.
• Negotiate Offers- Agents tend to layout the guidelines when an offer is coming in.  Realtors act as mediator, by negotiating on behalf of the homeseller.  The pros, cons, should's do's and dont's are included items in negotiating.  Agents should ensure fairness, equality and once again, Homesellers BEST INTEREST.  This is the one area that home sellers must have TRUST in their chosen agent.  If it's not there, find a new agent beforehand.
• Provide Information- Each week the market brings in new hope or great disappointment.  It's a realtor's job to be educated on the most up to date information possible.
• Answer Questions- Agents are a wealth of information and should provide buyers and sellers with answers needed on how the process works, as well as information pertinent to a new home and its surroundings.

Thanks for your Business.  Really...

• ...Agents at Sensible Realty, are pleased to do their part to keep things moving.  Think about this; If the homeowner could save in commission, the price could afford to be reduced.  If the price were lower, the homeowner could compete in any, kind or unkind market.  No sacrifice.  "Franchisers" are not anymore effective in selling homes that any other brokerage... So, with this knowledge, it boils down to the agent home sellers are most comfortable with.  That doesn't come with a real estate logo behind it.  Sensible Realty offers the FULL SERVICE homeowners deserve.  Sensible Realty provides the means and the logic to save thousands of dollars and to be competitive in the market. 
  
  Thank you for sharing in the belief that we're in this together.