Letters to the Editor

Re: 'Rebate ban chokes competition' (June 26)

Dear Editor:

Why is it that all Realtors are lumped into one category? The average sale price in our area is $119,000. Thus, we pay the same dues, the same for cars, the same or more for advertising (less competition in a small town) and make a lot less money per transaction. Realtor.com charges us the same to put on an $8,500 mobile home as they do someone who lists a $3 million house. We pay and pay and pay for the Web services provided by Homestore, yet we provide the information. We give the data and they charge us to get it back to the consumer.

Fees are negotiable by the buyer and seller, as we practice seller and buyer agency. If the selling agent does not get enough money from the listing agent, the buyer agent's agreement is to get it from the buyer. Thus, that is where the negotiation begins. Rebates can be a lower fee to offset seller assist to the buyer. All sorts of loopholes exist if one only uses the imagination.

Now, why don't we have a national discussion of lawyers' contingency fees, which range from 25-40 percent on lawsuits and class-action suits all in the name of the "helping the consumer"? Bull, they help themselves to millions and the consumer gets the crumbs.

Get on the bandwagon and go after other industry contingency fees.

Remember, the listing agent goes after the inventory; spends dollars on forms, signs, time to do the market analysis, advertising, servicing up to 8-16 months, and putting it online at many sites, which costs money; and negotiates on the seller's behalf when an offer comes in, then has to follow up with the selling agent who got a buyer and invests very little time or money as a buyer agent.

In my opinion, the buyer agent should negotiate with the buyer and get paid from the buyer. The listing agent will do the same with the seller. Let the buyer and seller decide what that particular agent is worth.

Art Bowen
Bowen Agency Realtors
Selinsgrove, Pa.

All rights reserved. This article may not be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, in part or in whole, without written permission of Inman News. Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright law.