Dear Competition Bureau,
What have you done? I am so pro-consumer protection; yet certain moves you make do anything but protect consumers. I dare say it puts consumers in harm's way.
Did you have a bad experience with a Realtor? Of course there are some greedy lug-heads in this (and every) profession. But, overall, the best Realtors I know provide an absolutely essential service guiding home buyers and sellers. They are upright and dedicated and they save the consumer far more than they cost them.
You seem worried that we get paid? You seem keen on more "do it yourself" options and bargain basement charging Realtors. Of course you must know that FOR SALE BY OWNER has ALWAYS been an option. Nothing new there. But of course, since Realtors for decades have developed an effective means to serve clients called the MLS system you think we are bullies. You opine that everyone should be able to be on the web system we developed, paid for, continue to pay for and take great pride in the correct consumer information on. Would this be like if I want to sell my used jeep myself, I insist on putting it on my local Jeep car lot and on their website? Because, it would be unfair if I couldn't slip in and utilize any effective sales tools they've built?
And I get you're concerned about commission price fixing. But, you must know that COMMISSIONS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN NEGOTIABLE. I've been in the business 10 years and it has been taught to me since day one that no two commissions apply. Did you know that many consumers would benefit greatly by offering MORE COMMISSION?? Did you know that many Realtors with repeat and referral clients often give significant financial breaks to clients?
Do you have any clue as to what it costs to stay in the Real Estate profession and list and hold properties for sale in a way that gives clients the best possible price for their home? Do you know how many hours are rightly spent with buyers not only finding the right home; but preventing clients from buying a home that is not in their best interest? Is there a price you can assign to sleepless nights that all great Realtors spend thinking of the best ways to serve and protect their clients?
Do you really think that by racing to the bottom and making homes sales all about the cheapest method possible you are serving the consumer? Do you think there is great motivation in a Realtor whose only job is to post a property on MLS saying "call seller."
I would encourage you, before making any further decisions affecting the Real Estate industry in Canada, to have on your panel seasoned Realtors who can come armed with countless stories of how they saved time, trouble, money and heartache for their clients and were worth twice what they made any day of the week.
If your real interest is in consumer protection, you really need to know what a professional Realtor really does and how we serve.
Humbly submitted,
Beth Marks
Proud Realtor
What have you done? I am so pro-consumer protection; yet certain moves you make do anything but protect consumers. I dare say it puts consumers in harm's way.
Did you have a bad experience with a Realtor? Of course there are some greedy lug-heads in this (and every) profession. But, overall, the best Realtors I know provide an absolutely essential service guiding home buyers and sellers. They are upright and dedicated and they save the consumer far more than they cost them.
You seem worried that we get paid? You seem keen on more "do it yourself" options and bargain basement charging Realtors. Of course you must know that FOR SALE BY OWNER has ALWAYS been an option. Nothing new there. But of course, since Realtors for decades have developed an effective means to serve clients called the MLS system you think we are bullies. You opine that everyone should be able to be on the web system we developed, paid for, continue to pay for and take great pride in the correct consumer information on. Would this be like if I want to sell my used jeep myself, I insist on putting it on my local Jeep car lot and on their website? Because, it would be unfair if I couldn't slip in and utilize any effective sales tools they've built?
And I get you're concerned about commission price fixing. But, you must know that COMMISSIONS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN NEGOTIABLE. I've been in the business 10 years and it has been taught to me since day one that no two commissions apply. Did you know that many consumers would benefit greatly by offering MORE COMMISSION?? Did you know that many Realtors with repeat and referral clients often give significant financial breaks to clients?
Do you have any clue as to what it costs to stay in the Real Estate profession and list and hold properties for sale in a way that gives clients the best possible price for their home? Do you know how many hours are rightly spent with buyers not only finding the right home; but preventing clients from buying a home that is not in their best interest? Is there a price you can assign to sleepless nights that all great Realtors spend thinking of the best ways to serve and protect their clients?
Do you really think that by racing to the bottom and making homes sales all about the cheapest method possible you are serving the consumer? Do you think there is great motivation in a Realtor whose only job is to post a property on MLS saying "call seller."
I would encourage you, before making any further decisions affecting the Real Estate industry in Canada, to have on your panel seasoned Realtors who can come armed with countless stories of how they saved time, trouble, money and heartache for their clients and were worth twice what they made any day of the week.
If your real interest is in consumer protection, you really need to know what a professional Realtor really does and how we serve.
Humbly submitted,
Beth Marks
Proud Realtor
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