Tampa, FL - Lately, I've heard several complaints about Realtors from both buyers and sellers. The one I have heard the most is: "I did all the work and the Realtor got the commission!"  This comment was made recently by someone who purchased a South Tampa home about 2 years ago and by a seller who was more specific.  She mentioned that she took all the pictures, she showed the property, and it was she who made pricing and other determinations about the property - and this happened 3 times with 3 different agents.

Given these sorts of reports, it's no wonder why 5 to 10 percent of agents always seem to do 80 to 90 percent of the business in any given area of the country.

To all brokers and agents who fall into the category that those above complained about, please take a long hard look at the way you conduct business.  If you cannot see your way to make some changes, I am sure that I'm not alone in asking you to please find another career.

And, to all buyers and sellers out there... Please know that good agents and brokers do exist.  However, you must NOT simply use someone because your neighbor said "I know someone - they're my friend and they'll take care of you."  You must ask questions.  You must be satisfied with the answers.

Anyone can put a listing in the MLS, put up a sign, and wait.  There are many of those sorts of Realtors here in South Tampa and may folks might be surprised to learn that they are some of the more successful agents working in the area.  They've just been here for a long time and know many people.  But that does not assure that they know how to market... How to sell... How to properly do the job.  To be fair, there also are many very good, qualified, and talented agents and brokers working here in South Tampa. 

Unfortunately, the buyer or seller must so some legwork and research to discern between the good and the bad.  There is no other way.  If you don't take the time to investigate... to ask questions... to look at web sites... don't be surprised if the level of service you get isn't what you would want or expect.  There is an 80 or 90 percent chance that this will be the case.  Please visit www.PrettyDogRealty.com for more information about the services we provide.

Tampa, FL - Home sellers... think hard before lowering your price!  Today's real estate market is fraught with uncertainty on many levels.  One of them is pricing strategy.  I suggest you do some homework before lowering the asking price of your home, (this does not apply to short sales and foreclosures).

How does your home stack up relative to other homes that are competing for similar buyers?  Is it larger?  Smaller?  Does it have nicer finishes (i.e. Granite or Marble vs. Formica)?  Has it recently been renovated?  All these things count for buyers, and any one might make a buyer willing to pay more if your home compares favorably.  For more on value, please see: http://www.prettydogrealty.com/Value.

Another area to research is the amount of traffic competing homes are getting.  If they are priced similarly, or lower, but they also are NOT getting much traffic, then price may NOT the problem - unless all these homes are overpriced, which is not likely.  It could just be the current market conditions - NO BUYERS, period - which certainly will change over time.  So, the next thing to consider is time... Do you have some?  Or do you need to sell quickly.  If you need to sell, price may loom larger in your decision making process.  But if you are not being forced to sell, and the quality (value) of your home compares favorably to competing homes in the area, and if others are not getting any more traffic than you are, it may be a good idea to hold your price until one of these factors changes, which could indicate its time to reassess.  It's a dynamic marketplace and there's no telling when things will change!

Tampa, FL - There are many good Realtors all over the country - people who take their real estate jobs seriously and who dedicate themselves to their clients and their business.  It's their livelihood and they treat it accordingly.  These folks return phone calls promptly, offer accurate directions to their listed properties, have adequate (at least) pictures of their listings, and do the real work required to be successful, whether they are working with a seller or a buyer.

There also are many bad Realtors out there.  These folks seem to make money in spite of themselves.  They make a living off the good natured, yet naive friends/clients who don't realize that their trusted agent is not very good at their job (I was being kind).  There are those who have many listings, but do the absolute minimum - only posting it in the MLS and an occaisional open house - to sell a property.  Others fail to return phone calls promptly (some of these might also be the ones doing the absolute minimum to sell a property).  And some have email addresses, but never respond to emails, even those that ask questions about a property they have listed.  A few don't answer their phone's, and don't return phone calls.  One such agent here in South Tampa has been guilty of all of the above, and this person has been, and still is very successful!

All these shortcomings do make a difference.  Potential buyers will walk away from properties represented by non-responsive Realtors, which extends the time to sale.  I know as I have clients who've done just that.  A client deserves better - even if they don't realize that better exists!  For a better Realtor, please visit: www.PrettyDogRealty.com.

So, let the 'client' beware, be they sellers or buyers... Choose your Realtor carefully, and that means asking relevant, difficult questions.  An agent isn't necessarily good just because they have been in the business for many years, or have many listings, or are a good friend.  That has been proven many times over.  They just know many people who are too lazy or trusting to take a little time to learn the truth about their 'good friend.'  A good agent will work just as hard for you after the papers have been signed.

I welcome your opinions.  Please feel free to add your comments!

Tampa, FL - Often, determining the best price for a property can be a very subjective exercise. There are many angles and bits of information to consider, especially for higher end properties - and even more so for those that are not located within new or deed restricted subdivisions - the answer usually is not cut-and-dried.

Upgrades, lot size, view, proximity to water and surrounding high end homes, school districts, and general location are all variables that can increase or decrease a property's value - but how much? That's the subjective part and that's where proper and effective marketing really comes into play. A well positioned and marketed home will demand higher dollars than one that is not benefiting from these key elements which go a long way in determining the price to value relationship.

The worst thing one can do is under-price a property. No one wants to 'leave money - pure profit - on the table.' But overpricing can add many months to the selling process - especially in a week market like we have today - which ultimately costs the seller even more money... They'll still have to lower the price in the long run and they will also have incurred the extra interest, insurance, and property tax expenses for the extra time it took for the property to sell.

Sometimes, the comparables don't offer any guidance, so one must go with the 'gut.' In these cases, it is best to make sure that the gut is talking sense. The advice of a good REALTOR is helpful but, ultimately, it is the seller who must make the decision.