What To Do If an Agent Offers you $100,000 To Be Your Agent

Recently I saw this question was asked

I'm selling the house that I bought in 2013 for $1.18 million, and the realtor, which is the same realtor I used for the purchase, thinks it can be sold for $1.7-1.8M, so should I go with him or Redfin?

And here is what I replied....

"DISCLAIMER: I used to be a certified agent in California. Most agents tell you whatever you need to hear! Point blank. Don't make your decision on what the agent tells you the home is worth. I see people making this mistake all the time. 

I really like agent A and he says I can get _____ for my house. But agent B says he can get us ______ more than agent A said. 

It is all crap! What you can get for your home is what someone is willing to pay. Not what the agent says you can get. That is why there are so many homes that sit on the market for 9+ months: Because agents promised them they can get "their price" if they just wait long enough. meanwhile, all the money, time and effort spent while the house just sat goes ignored.

Here is the thing... the ONLY reason a house does not sell is because it is priced to high. PERIOD.

It is ALWAYS the price.

I don't care what you say about the market.

Doesn't matter what the news is saying about current trends.

I makes no difference if banks shut down and are no longer giving loans.

Nor is any pending bubble or the bursting of one of significance.

If your house was not selling and you wanted it gone fast... if you changed nothing else and it was left in it's current state, there is nothing you could do faster to get a buyer than lowering the price. Drop your price low enough and you will ALWAYS have a buyer in ANY market.

Picture this scenario: The home is in the worst neighborhood in town. Windows broken, appliances ripped out, bathrooms outdated, holes in walls. Worst home on the block. But it is priced at $500. How long do you think it would take to sell? All of 30 seconds right?

Now Scenario 2: Fully updated, has a pool. New kitchen. Back patio, deck. Fully furnished. Modern kitchen, all the bells and whistles. It is the best looking home in the entire zip code. Price at 30% higher than any home has ever sold for. Because with the price of the upgrades, the agent told them "I can get you X". ....

And so it sits. ... Waiting for the price the agent promised.

Instead, pick your agent based on who you have a genuine connection with. One you feel has your best interests at heart. One that operates with integrity and will work his tail off to get your home sold based on real and true facts. That is how you should make your decision."