Christopher Rich's Discussions

It is true that a non-licensed person cannot receive a portion of a real estate commission. Depending upon the state, however, a rebate may be possible. Also, the broker for the listing might be willing to negotiate on their commission with the seller, thereby lowering the price you might pay for the home. It is all something that can be negotiated, but there are no certainties. The broker and agent can stick to their guns and collect the full commission, if you are not represented.A final thought... A good Realtor representing you may be your best option. Knowing the market, negotiation expertise and assistance with all that comes with buying a home will probably save you money in the long run. Those who buy a home on their own, often overpay and miss things that can cost later on.

Hi all, Thanks for the great marketing website suggestions. Craigslist is especially effective when marketing open houses for lower priced properties. I am also very fond of the syndication sites that post your listings on multiple websites. My favorites are point2agent.com and postlets.com. I highly recommend using Google Adwords, too. Just be sure to set a daily budget as the cost can add up quickly. Christopher RichYour Fairfield County Real Estate Agent

As real estate professionals, I agree that we must be truthful with our clients about the state of the market. That said, however, I hear so many agents continually talking about how awful the market is, often in front of consumers. Although there are many factors that have created the current economic and housing market conditions, one factor is certainly negative word of mouth and the the continual negative reports in the media. We need to start discussing the positives about the current market: 1. Housing prices have come down and there is alot of inventory... Great for buyers.2. Upsizers might not sell their current home for as much as a year ago, but they will also most likely spend less on purchasing a larger home. Statistically, seller/buyers who are upsizing should save more than they lose.3. Interest rates are still at historical lows.4. The media keeps talking about the tight credit market... If a client has decent credit and proof of income, credit is still available. A large percentage of first-time homebuyers are on the fence right now because they think they cannot get a mortgage. Emphasize the market positives, while staying informed and sharing the facts and we can assist others better while helping ourselves to be more successful. Christopher RichYour Fairfield County Connecticut Real Estate Agent