Christi Borden, CIPS, ABR, GRI

• Certified International Property Special...

• Real Estate Bloggers
• Real Estate Events

I feel there is room in our industry for both Traditional/Full Service and Discount/Limited Service Brokerage. What I do not like to see is the discount model advertising that they are also Full-Service versus Limited Service. The public needs to be educated on what a true Full Service brokerage does: from listing to close and beyond. Therein lies the difference and let the consumer decide. In my business, I have chosen to align myself with a Full Service, very Traditional Brokerage for the full menu of services I can offer my clients. And for that privilege, I pay a considerable portion of my commission to my brokerage and this is in turn paid through the commission I charge my clients. As in everything in life, "You get what you pay for". In a hot market, yes... many times homes may find a buyer quickly, but you still need the agent's expertise in negotiation and other necessary skills to shepherd the transaction to closing. In a not-so-hot market, you may need the added exposure that a full service provider can bring to the table. Many of the local limited service or discount brokerages make up their profits through the sheer volume of listings - which must dilute the services available to each client during the transaction process. Having dealt with many of these type brokerages in the past, some have gone well but the majority involved much more work on my part due to having to resolve issues that typically should have been handled by the cooperating (listing) agent but ... Hello, there was nobody there to handle what needed to be done. Can't really blame them as they are only doing the services the seller is paying for but it does put the buyer's agent in an unfair and often uncomfortable position of walking the line between being helpful and undisclosed dual agency. As long as sellers are fully aware of what they are buying when they agree to a limited service provider and that listing agent is handling the critical portions of the transaction (acceptance of offers, all negotiations, attending inspections personally, going to the closings, etc - which I view as the very least a seller should expect from their agent) then I have no personal problem with cooperating with such an agency. Again, advertise exactly what you will do for your fee and then let the consumer decide what level of service they wish to employ. Your Katy, TX Realtor, Christi Borden, CIPS, GRI, ABR Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors Email: Christi@ChristiBorden.com Web: www.ChristiBorden.com Cell: 832-372-7470

Like it or not, the bill has been passed. So the best we can do, as professionals, is to understand how this might impact our clients. Your Katy, TX Realtor, Christi Borden, CIPS, GRI, ABR Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors Email: Christi@ChristiBorden.com Web: www.ChristiBorden.com Cell: 832-372-7470

Tony, I visited www.nubricks.com and enjoyed the information available- especially the focus on my old hunting grounds, Dubai, U.A.E. I would like to learn more about your new site. Houston has recently been recognized as the # 1 city in the States to buy property and to conduct business. As I expand my business, I am very interested in international exposure of my listings. Your Katy, TX Realtor, Christi Borden, CIPS, GRI, ABR Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors Email: Christi@ChristiBorden.com Web: www.ChristiBorden.com Cell: 832-372-7470