A recent class-action lawsuit in Missouri ruled against the National Association of Realtors for price fixing by setting a standard where sellers pay the commission that is split between buyers agents and sellers agents which resulted in a $1.8 billion award. Many saw the verdict as targeting a profession people love to hate: the superfluous real estate agent who collects a hefty commission for merely opening a door. This view is not held by most Realtors and especially those at The Thompson Group. We strive to perfect the services offered to our clients so that they do not feel that way. The perception that Realtors are overpaid for the work they do is not shared by The Thompson Group. Our many years of experience make it look easy and when this is mentioned to us our response is “If it was so easy and the pay is so high, wouldn’t everybody want to be a Realtor”?
The Thompson Group has high moral and ethical standards that are evident in our “Value Statement”. (See the October blog on our website EstesParkHome.com.) Our values are high, but what about the value we bring to you, our clients? Here are the top 10 services that Realtors at The Thompson Group bring to our clients.
- Realtors will save you money: The National Association of Realtors annual survey of buyers and sellers show that For Sale by Owner (FSBO) homes typically sell for about 6% less than those listed with agents.
- Realtors are great at negotiating: Agents must negotiate with buyers, sellers, builders and other agents every day. They can get very good at negotiating and can save you thousands of dollars, be it on the price of the home or often overlooked items such as inspections.
- Realtors have your back: Realtors who operate as Buyers Agents or Sellers Agents, like those at The Thompson Group, have a contractual fiduciary duty to our clients and put their needs above our own.
- Realtors know the market: We have talked with clients who say they follow the real estate market. That could mean they are signed up for one of our automated searches or they watch a real estate story on the news. Our agents are full-time and study the local market every day, giving them superior knowledge to better help our clients.
- They can find great deals: Having the local market expertise allows Realtors to spot underpriced homes. We even have access to properties before they are listed and can keep an eye out for your perfect home before it goes on the market.
- Realtors are well educated: In Colorado, a Realtor must take at least 168 hours of course study before they can even begin their career. Once their license is obtained there are continuing education requirements and many areas of expertise a Realtor can obtain by gaining certifications. At The Thompson Group we are Certified Mountain Area Specialists, Certified Luxury Home Marketers and Master Certified Negotiation Experts.
- They keep you from wasting time (and money): When buyers try to find a home on their own, they can, at times, end up wasting time and cash in the long run. They could let major, costly repairs go unaddressed, put bids on homes that end up being above their price range or take properties at their face value rather than negotiating using comparable sales data. With an agent from The Thompson Group on your side, you will have someone to keep you on track the entire time and who will do anything they can do to find a home that meets all your needs.
- Paperwork and Documentation: We handle the extensive paperwork involved in real estate transactions. This includes contracts, disclosures, offers and any legal documentation required to help you buy or sell a home.
- Networking: At The Thompson Group, we have a list of home service providers with whom we have personal experience; including lenders, inspectors, appraisers and contractors. Our personal relationships allow us to schedule any needed home repairs in a timely manner so you can get your home on the market quickly and in the best showing condition.
- Marketing Strategies: Over the years we have developed effective marketing strategies to showcase your property to potential buyers. At The Thompson Group we have a full-time marketing manager who helps us with showcasing your property in the best light to reach the greatest number of buyers.
I know I said I would keep it to 10 things, but one additional thing that brings value to our clients is our never-ending knowledge base. We learn from every client and every real estate transaction. In addition to being experts in the real estate market we have knowledge in local government regulations on zoning, building issues, short-term rentals, home maintenance, environmental issues, property rights, legal issues, trusts, ownership issues, insurance, lending, and the list goes on.
Might as well make it an even dozen things that Realtors at The Thompson Group do to bring value to our clients. We give back to our community. You may already know about our involvement with Rotary and the Estes Park Duck Race. The Friendship Card is also a Rotary fundraiser and something we enjoy sharing with you. We support many local organizations including our churches and, in addition to Rotary, we serve on boards such as Crossroads Ministry and The Estes Valley Recreation and Parks District.
We could continue to go on and on or talk about the 166-point check list we use to ensure that all our home sellers get the same high-quality service, but it’s not all about us. We know that it’s all about you and how we can bring the best value to you. Give us a call at 970-480-7820 or send an email to Team@EstesParkHome.com if you want to find out more about The Thompson Group values or what value The Thompson Group can bring to you. Have you scheduled your real estate review yet? Call today.