Do you know that people really don’t like being called “leads” or “FSBO’s” Why aren’t all sellers just “sellers”. Are other properties called FSBAs? Why do we have a name for owners who are selling their homes who didn’t hire agents to assist them? Aren’t they all just “sellers of homes”.

There’s a difference between your “linked to” page and your blogging. When I click on your link, Leanne, I fully expect ot see an advertisement there. But not in the blog posts or comments. It’s just a blog thing. That’s how blogs function.

Going to the link to page or main page to find an “advertisement” is something someone will do if they want to find out more about you after reading your thoughts on the blog. One is a good place for advertising, there other is not. It’s a little complicated. I think Dustin teaches a class on it.

Real Estate people did not create the blog culture. Blogs existed and functioned this way before agents got into the act.

“Despite all the fun and enjoyment we get out of blogging, we pay the hosting fees by giving out the best agent recommendations around. If you’re at the point where you want to talk to an agent, but not sure if you have the “right” one, contact me and I’ll happily point you to one of the many great agents I know who specializes in the type of property you are looking for.” — Anna Luther

“Our Mission
Our mission at Rain City Guide is simple. We want to be the best resource for real estate information in the Seattle area.

With that in mind, a group of dedicated real estate professionals has decided to work together to provide you with a constant stream of updates about the local real estate market. Unlike other sites that are simply focused on giving you data, the group at Rain City Guide has organized around a “blog” in order to provide context to the vast amount of real estate information that is available! ” — Dustin Luther

And, “The contributors to this site enjoy blogging because blogs, by their very nature, tend to break down communication walls and open up a real discourse. We always enjoy your feedback, so please feel free to leave comments and join in our discussion! ”

Now silly me, I sort of figured that by your invitation, and later, Dustins’ invitation, that my comments and experience were invited and welcomed. And, I can talk real estate best by using my experience with actual clients …

Here’s the rub too — real estate agents can’t support their own opinion that using an agent is a smart idea, and by providing CONTEXT give examples on this blog?? Yet lenders, escrow and attorneys can talk about their specific work experiences freely?

You know Ardell, I didn’t mean for this to be a big argument. All I was responding to was your comment that the TV show buyers chose what you thought was the wrong house, and by saying what I did, I felt I was saying that buying from a good real estate agent was preferable than buying on a TV show (and ending up with what you felt was the wrong house).

Agents add value to many transactions, TV shows rarely do.

Basically you are breaking our rules when you keep advertising for agents. RCG does not allow blatant advertising be it for a specific agent or agents generally.

We are a popular site becasue we DON’T do that ,and so your coming here and doing it fcks up our blog

I’m talking about statements like this:

“Now there’s a darned good example of why buyers should consider using a good real estate agent”.

Doesn’t that sound like a commercial for agents to you?

There are plenty of places for agents who use blogs to advertise to go. We are different because we don’t do that, and if 100 agents came here and did that…we would have to close down.

I know you don’t want to hurt our site and that is not your intention, so I simply ask that you be aware of what is a “commercial” for agents and try not to cross the line.

“

But what’s a huge difference is the percentage selling within 30 days. For the period in 2007 it was over 50%. This year 12%. I looked at some of the listings from last year, and the first two were purchased and flipped, and neither has sold after being re-listed. And unless they flipped the things on the cheap, I doubt they’re coming close to breaking even. That was two out of 23, and I only checked three. I wonder how many of the others were purchased to flip?

Well in the example I gave, since the property was listed at a signficantly lower price, and didn’t sell, presumably the agents advised clients not to buy at that price.

But admittedly, you can have situations where a property is listed too high, and it sells for too much, with an agent on both sides. But that’s why you need a good agent, not just an agent.

A real life example of a buyer picking a poor house to redo & flip fit in well with the Flip This House A & E that you were writing about. This particular person lived and breathed those TV shows, and is one reason I hope those TV shows end.

I’m a real estate agent. I happen to believe I am a very good one, and that my skills help my clients. If people want to go it alone, fine, but at least read the stories of risk.

Now tell me the 50 stories that are the same result but NOT a FSBO. It is so annoying when agents act like every buyer or seller who ever screwed up, didn’t have an agent at their side at the time of the screw up.