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Richie Alan Naggar, agent & author  (people first...then business Ran Right Realty )

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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

That sign says a whole lot more than "I won't pay a commission". 

That sign says,

    "I will be hard to deal with.  I don't care what your lender or your lawyer or your title person or anyone else says, everything will be done exactly my way.  I won't budge on the price. I won't allow any inspections. I will use forms that I got from an internet 'legal forms website'.   I will only show the house during these limited hours; no exceptions.  And I will be present while you, the Buyer, look at the house.  I will follow you from room to room."

Jun 16, 2022 07:20 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't think you can interpret that sign so literally. I think the sign simply says the seller isn't going out of pocket for commissions. At the end of the day, I would guess as long as the commission isn't "costing" them anything they will pay it, whether it's by increasing sale price or the buyer paying it.

Jun 16, 2022 07:12 AM
Rainmaker
821,101
Eileen Burns 954.483.3912
Trans State Commercial Realty Inc. - Fort Lauderdale, FL
FLorida Real Estate Connector

Hardheaded sellers not seeing the big picture and the ease of utilizing a real estate professional who may have no idea of the skillsets that they are turning away.  They will allow perfect strangers who are not yet qualified to enter their home.  Not safe - indeed.  

Jun 16, 2022 06:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Because:

1) They strongly dislike real estate agents

2) They don't realize that it takes money to make money

Jun 16, 2022 07:47 AM
Rainmaker
693,775
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

I purchased a home once (the one I just sold) and paid for all costs in the transaction, including the commission for the seller's agent.  The escrow officer even questioned if I could pay some of the costs I had offered to pay.  I could and I did pay them all.  It was all reflected in the great price I was able to negotiate.  It was one of the best purchases I ever made.  In the case outlined above, I would do it only if the price was right.  Do I think the seller is making a good move?  Heck no!

Jun 16, 2022 08:12 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I read "ignorance" which can be cured where stupidity cannot. 

My sense is the seller does not know what the seller does not know. They will learn if they are open to learning. 

Otherwise, the home won't sell and perhaps ultimately they will hire a discount broker. (said with humor). 

Jun 16, 2022 07:26 AM
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Well, bless that fizzbo's heart! Seller probably knows more than everyone in that market too...🙄

Jun 16, 2022 08:34 AM
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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I see a seller who is looking for an unsuspecting buyer who thinks they're saving money by buying direct.... safety and legal ramifications be damned.

The problem with commissions is they can be measured in tangible dollars and that is all some people see. Safety and legal ramifications are not considered and often far exceed tangible dollars emotionally and financially.

Sadly, the seller has no clue what agents actually do and how it benefits them. I told someone the other day, that if I ever sell my house I would hire an agent if for no other reason than the legal protection.

Jun 16, 2022 08:17 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

I've seen that before. Usually seller is overpriced, but if not, if i had an interested buyer, I'd just let seller know that buyer is paying my commission, or if price is right, add commission to sellers asking price. A lot will depend on the attitude of the seller.

Jun 16, 2022 08:15 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

If you have a buyer, the buyer can pay your commission. You may be able to negotiate a deal that benefits a buyer and satisfies the seller. Seller can be asked to pay closing costs to offset the buyers out of pocket expenses.

The longer the house sits with the sign in the lawn, the more flexible the seller may become.

Jun 16, 2022 07:24 AM
Rainmaker
644,025
Greg Large
ERA Real Solutions - Grove City, OH
A Tradition of Trust

The Seller is paying commission to themselves and losing thousands in equity.

Jun 16, 2022 08:47 AM
Ambassador
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Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

 I would suggest a buyer walk away from even thinking about it.  Know-it-all hard heads are just that.

Jun 16, 2022 09:59 AM
Rainmaker
1,197,097
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Don't sweat the small stuff.  If you have a buyer.  It can be worked out but hang on.  It will be interesting. 

Jun 16, 2022 08:10 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,291
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Someone just got thru a real estate course. I'm not paying - let the buyer pay. I'd skip them even though inventory is tight.

Jun 16, 2022 06:40 AM
Rainer
378,517
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

A buyer I worked with not long after I had my license went and bought herself one of those.... 8 years later it's now worth what she paid for it then.  Buyer beware of crazy sellers.

Jun 16, 2022 09:49 AM
Ambassador
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Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

This may be a little different...but 

I recently got a fabulous deal for a buyer when the FSBO did not want to list. 

Jun 16, 2022 09:23 AM
Ambassador
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Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

The FSBO doesn't want agents involved. Which doesn't mean they can't/won't be. He just doesn't want them. I'd love to know why.

Jun 16, 2022 06:48 PM
Ambassador
2,061,792
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Inflating the sales price to include commission isn't the answer.  They are basically saying "we will not cooperate with brokers".

FSBO's don't believe that will turn purchasers away, in fact they believe that selling their home should/will be as simple as sticking a sign in the ground.

Best of luck with that.

Jun 16, 2022 09:34 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Our Buyer Agency agreement stipulates that buyers pay in case there is no commission forthcoming from the sellers. Your approach also works. There's more than one way to skin a cat, as they say (don't know why  we pick on poor kitties in this saying...).

Jun 16, 2022 08:47 AM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

The writing has been on the wall for quite some time.  Sellers hate to pay someone to negotiate against them!  I've had an ongoing battle with my sellers for years now and it takes a good long discussion to convince them.  Buyers need to start paying their own agents for the work they do.  It's coming folks.  If they need to shop in a lower price range to be able to afford it, so be it. 

Jun 16, 2022 08:14 AM
Rainmaker
901,535
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

I've found one side or the other is getting a raw deal. I sold happily helped my buyer get a house at the beginning of this crazy market. My buyer got a good deal because the seller didn't want an agent. I've found these sellers can be very unrealistic, hiding something, or they think they're saving when in fact they could have gotten more. Bottom line, they don't know what they're doing. Buyer beware for sure.

I had a listing appointment a year or so ago with a guy who never intended on using an agent. He just wanted to get opinions from a lot of agents, took their advice, then sold his house. I'm pretty sure he covered some things up that I pointed out. I may never know. 

Jun 17, 2022 04:41 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate nailed it. Life is too short, "NEXT"!

Jun 17, 2022 04:39 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

They are not pushing away buyers just agents 

Jun 17, 2022 06:05 AM
Ambassador
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Fred makes a good point here, some folks are going to be more difficult than others, I may want to offer this guy a higher commission rate.

Jun 16, 2022 04:37 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Seems like the seller is saying, "I will pay my agent (if I have one) and you will pay your agent." Seems like a good idea to me.

Jun 16, 2022 10:25 AM
Rainer
195,422
Karen Climer
Demetree School of Real Estate - Orlando, FL
Teaching people to pass the real estate exam

The house I currently live in was bought from a FSBO.  No one paid commissions.  Somehow all parties survived and actually did better because of it.  My parents bought a house from a FSBO with no agents involved.  Worked out well for all parties.

Similarly, some people can fix their own pipes and don't hire a plumber.  Others choose to hire a plumber.  Both options work well or can be costly depending on the situation. 

Real estate agents aren't the only people who know about real estate.

Jun 17, 2022 07:24 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Seller does not want to deal with a real estate broker. This may mean the seller doesn't want to make honest/full disclosures. The buyer can pay their own agent, and discount their offer. Or Mister Difficult can keep his house.

Jun 17, 2022 06:06 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

Richie Alan Naggar We learned how to handle FSBO's our first year in real estate.  They are always unrealistic and it's our goal to educate them and possibly bring a buyer that is willing to make an offer that includes our commission. At the very least we can try to get the sell to pay for us to take care of all of the disclosures.  In this day of the internet people will find these places on their own and an escrow company can get them through to the closing.

Jun 16, 2022 10:12 PM
Rainmaker
716,049
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

Why bother with this seller....

Jun 17, 2022 09:39 AM
Rainer
155,337
Anthony Kirlew
Group 46:10 Network @ eXp Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Helping You Make Fiscally Sound Real Estate Deals!

Thankfully inventory is growing, so there is no need to try to pursue a seller who is starting out "anti-agent." That said, there is a good chance they will realize they need help, and hopefully before they are in a contract with a more savvy buyer.

Jun 22, 2022 08:43 AM
Rainmaker
1,422,296
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

They just don't want a Buyers Realtor involved, which tells me the buyer better beware of the contract, condition of the house and everything else having to do with that Seller if they are going it alone.

Jun 17, 2022 06:48 PM