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Answers (11)
Best Answer
- James Dunn, "DunnRealtors.com"
- Contributions:373
I agree with everyone on here that you are probably better off getting a new agent closer to the house you are selling. The agent you have is not going to be very knowledgeable about your area, and they aren't likely to keep very close tabs on your house and how it's being presented.
As for the sign, when you say it's a 'small "For Sale" sign', is it their company's regular For Sale sign? or some other type of sign? If it's the sign that their company uses for all of their other residential listings, then charging you $200 to put out a sign is ridiculous. The agent knew how far away the house was when they took the listing and any expense to properly market the listing should be taken on by the agent. If however, you are asking the agent to place an over-sized, special order sign on your property (one that they don't already have and don't use on other properties), then I can see some justification in asking for the additional cost to place the sign.
As for the sign, when you say it's a 'small "For Sale" sign', is it their company's regular For Sale sign? or some other type of sign? If it's the sign that their company uses for all of their other residential listings, then charging you $200 to put out a sign is ridiculous. The agent knew how far away the house was when they took the listing and any expense to properly market the listing should be taken on by the agent. If however, you are asking the agent to place an over-sized, special order sign on your property (one that they don't already have and don't use on other properties), then I can see some justification in asking for the additional cost to place the sign.
- Judi Monday, CRS, "Judi Monday"
- Contributions:558
I have NEVER charged a client to put a for sale sign on their house and always have a full sized sign delivered to all of my listings because I figure I am marketing myself as much as I am marketing your home. The cost, at least in my area, is a mere $28 to have a post & sign installed...a small investment that has always paid big returns for me.
- Bob Sendel, "reprobob1"
- Contributions:135
I had to respond as I found this to be amusing & troubling. Not sure where you live, but in my area, the internet is where your home is going to be found anyway. A small sign can be ok, even in cul-de-sacs. It's probably something her or she can carry in her trunk. Maybe the have small directionals too, which can be placed at the begining of the cul-de-sac, whic says, "Home For Sale", with an arrow pointing towards your house. As a friend, I have to know when it's better to refer a friend of mine to another Realtor becuase it may be out of my area. Good luck!
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26768
Your "friend" is not being a very good friend. Mixing friends and business is often a bad idea. A true friend would have told you that doing the job from 70 miles away is not easy, before the start of the process (when you inquired).
- Deborah Holmes, "Debbie Holmes"
- Contributions:386
If you have a normal listing agreement that is not reasonable. Ala Carte is different. Seems to me you need another Realtor.... This one will charge you for every piece of marketing they do. I put up my own signs and reuse them after the listing sold on others. Some Realtor's pay a company to deal with the sign but that should be part of the the commission you pay to the Realtor at closing.... Find thee another agent.....
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26768
Paying a full service agent for the fee for putting up a yard sign is ridiculous.
Fire this agent and get an agent who is familiar with the direct area. There is no advantage to using an agent 70 miles away.
When we've hired agents to sell, we've interviewed a minimum of 3 agents rigorously, and asked for them to bring their marketing plans to us for review. Each interview has lasted a minimum of 2 hours (unless they were so awful we kicked them out earlier).
Fire this agent and get an agent who is familiar with the direct area. There is no advantage to using an agent 70 miles away.
When we've hired agents to sell, we've interviewed a minimum of 3 agents rigorously, and asked for them to bring their marketing plans to us for review. Each interview has lasted a minimum of 2 hours (unless they were so awful we kicked them out earlier).
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25120
You sound like you have reservations about using this "friend" agent already. Are you sure you want to use them for the listing? Selling a house can take a while and you should be able to count on your agent.
- James Callas, "ABBAUSA"
- Contributions:956
A Realtor© 70 miles away may not be the best fit for you and your property.
Some of the time a Realtor© will refer to another agent closer to the property.
I have worked listings up to 90 miles from my office, but I give the best service within 25 miles of my office.
To me your friend should ship the sign UPS or bring in her car to your home.
Yard signs are the bread and butter of real estate marketing.
Good Luck!
James Callas - Realtor®
Some of the time a Realtor© will refer to another agent closer to the property.
I have worked listings up to 90 miles from my office, but I give the best service within 25 miles of my office.
To me your friend should ship the sign UPS or bring in her car to your home.
Yard signs are the bread and butter of real estate marketing.
Good Luck!
James Callas - Realtor®
- Pacita Dimacali
- Contributions:1254
If you are using an a la carte type of listing company, then they will probably charge you for every piece of marketing.
At my company (and others as well), WE pay for the installation of the yard sign. Then we add our own name rider to show who the listing agent is.
$200 to install a yard sign seems awfully high to me. You can BUY or build your own sign for much less.
Hasn't your realtor ever heard of companies that supply realtor signs?
Here are a couple of suppliers
DeeSign
Build A Sign
Guess you already figured out you're not getting the kind of service you expect and deserve from someone who lives so far away. Maybe your friend should have referred you to someone else who can do the job. Or maybe you should just get another realtor?
Good luck.
At my company (and others as well), WE pay for the installation of the yard sign. Then we add our own name rider to show who the listing agent is.
$200 to install a yard sign seems awfully high to me. You can BUY or build your own sign for much less.
Hasn't your realtor ever heard of companies that supply realtor signs?
Here are a couple of suppliers
DeeSign
Build A Sign
Guess you already figured out you're not getting the kind of service you expect and deserve from someone who lives so far away. Maybe your friend should have referred you to someone else who can do the job. Or maybe you should just get another realtor?
Good luck.
- Halosfan
- Contributions:14
No, it's a well known realtor. Problem is, I am using a "friend" and her office is 70 miles away & says that is why there is the fee. It's a long way for the guy with the truck to come out.
Long story, but when they say you shouldn't mix business with friendship, people like me should listen.
Long story, but when they say you shouldn't mix business with friendship, people like me should listen.
- John Crowe, "CroweHomes"
- Contributions:118
No, not normal.
Just curious, are you using a discount realtor? I know that many who offer lower fees will often offer additional services, a la carte, for a fee.
Just curious, are you using a discount realtor? I know that many who offer lower fees will often offer additional services, a la carte, for a fee.
Does a realtor normally charge to deliver a "For Sale" sign?
My realtor put a small "For Sale" sign in my front yard. You can't tell my house is for sale unless you drive right up to it (I'm on a cul-de-sac). I've asked for a regular sign to be put on my property and was told there would be a $200 fee to deliver the larger sign. Is this normal?
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