Really? You're going to cheap out with so much at stake?

Lord love a duck, where do I begin? OK, I'll start with a true story. Last year I was referred to an oral surgeon in Kelowna (stay with me, this ties back into real estate in a second). In my local dentist's opinion, he was the man to see. Before peeking at my pearly whites the Doctor's office manager explained to me that his fees were higher than what most insurance plans would reimburse patients and I could find someone to do surgery cheaper. Now, do you think I left the office? Of course not, it's my mouth and my smile, I want the best. And, to come with his recommendations I knew that in the long run there was far more VALUE in paying a bit more up front for something that would last and last.

(An aside for the ladies...you know how long a cheap pair of shoes lasts!)

If I could cement one thought in your head, one reminder it would be this. BE SMART ENOUGH TO CHOOSE VALUE OVER PRICE. In the end, when you do this, you always end up making more money and saving more money.

Somehow, at least in my area, people started thinking it was a good idea to make choices in Realtors by looking for the cheapest commission. Really? When any company can sell you something far cheaper than another it is always based on volume. If you're listing a home based on a company interested only in volume of sales do you think they might push on you to undervalue your home for a quick sale or pressure you to make a quick buy? Just asking. Do you think that there could be a mindset of "What do you expect from me now? You already paid peanuts for my service." (When I go to Superstore I sure don't expect help or someone to carry my groceries out! Ha! I go knowing I will receive little to no meaningful help.)

Beware too of the broad stroke statements. "Only 3%!" Well, what they don't say is that all commissions are negotiable and in the main if you see higher commissions they are just on the first 100,000 of sale price. In addition what most low commission companies don't tell you is that they are QUITE happy that most brokerages pay cooperating brokerages more than the lowest rate possible, because low commission folks love it when they quietly make a lot more money from sellers who buy homes using their services that are listed with other full service, quality brokerages. If you choose to work with a company advertising how low their rates are make sure and ask them to credit you the balance if you're then buying a home where the brokerage rewards cooperation more generously. But you didn't hear me say that...ahem....

It's a smokescreen, people! Beyond that, do you really want to "Walmart" your home sale? Do you think it might more than make up for the few thousand more it might cost you on the front end to have a great realtor that will price and negotiate for you to receive optimum value for your home? Time and again I see it play out that the best Realtors, the best after sales service Realtors, the best Realtors for negotiations always end up putting more money in the pocket of their sellers and saving more money for their buyers than one who fools you into thinking all Realtors are created equal and we're interchangable.

All Realtors are most certainly NOT created equal. You deserve a great one and you deserve the knowledge, patience, grace and VALUE of working with the best.

No doubt I'll light up this powder keg again from another angle in a future blog. For now, just remember, please to ALWAYS CHOOSE VALUE OVER PRICE, whether you're buying shoes, hiring a lawyer, getting plastic surgery or selling your home. The bigger the amount of money and risk the MORE you should adhere strictly to that rule!