"THE DONALD" AND I HAVE A LOT IN COMMON

Donald Trump is waging war on the establishment - just like me!  He is touching a nerve in America  because he's telling the truth - just like me!  I know he is a big mouth and obnoxious but his is a smart man and is afraid of no one.  They are afraid of HIM.  It turns me sick that the establishment, who ignores our wishes and puts us in crippling debt are now banding together to stop him.  They are afraid knowing he will put a stop to waste.  Most of his programs and debt reduction will come from squeezing the waste out of government and The Good Ole Boys don't want to loose their Golden Goose.  It's disgraceful that they don't care about the will of the people which ever way it goes.  They just want to rule the country and keep screwing us.  (Did you see the story of how illegal immigrants get a special ID number to file taxes with and then claim dozens of children as dependents although those children never step foot is America.  AND THE IRS AND CONGRESS KNOWS IT AND GIVES AWAY OVER 5 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR OF YOUR MONEY).

So what does this have to do with me?  You know I'm a rebel too!  Fighting for consumers against the gross unfairness of percentage commissions and abusive companies like Keller-Williams and Exit Realty.  A series of certified letters to the NJ Legislature, State Senator Chris Connors, Governor Christy and the Real Estate Commission showing how NJ sellers are loosing $100,000,000 per year were ignored.  They turned their backs on The People!  (I did get form letters from the REC and Governor's office which were useless).

The point I'm making is that government does NOT care about "We The People".  They care only about their greed and kickbacks.  The election coming up is extremely important because abusive government on all levels has to stop.  If we let them get away with this they will double down on their greed.  Ask yourself how Congress members go to Washington with moderate means and come out multi-millionaires with fat pensions after just a term or two.  STOP IT NOW!

And stop paying percentage commissions.  The cost of selling a house cost little more, if any, regardless of it's value.  Like taking a compact ar luxury car to be washed.  They price is the same because a cars value has nothing to do with the cost of washing it.  Doctors don't set fees based on income or net worth.

To know THE TRUTH you have to read THE TRUTH!  The Dirty, Ugly Truth About Buying and Selling Real Estate in America.   www.thedirtyuglytruth.com

HERE'S A PERPLEXING MATH PROBLEM

Tom and Bob are brothers who live nearby.  Because much of their family and their wives families have moved to a warmer climate they decide to follow.  They called their longtime friend, Rich, to list their houses.  Tom has a nice home in a good neighborhood and his house will sell for $300,000.  Rich on the other hand had some good fortune and his home and location are more upscale and will sell for $600,000.

Although real estate commissions are “negotiable” Rich, blaming it on his broker, charged each of them 5% which is pretty standard in the area – over 90% of the local listings are at 5%.

Hey, wait a minute!  Tom will pay $15,000 and Bob will pay $30,000.  But why?  Why is Bob paying $15,000 more for exactly the same service from the same brokerage? Their agent Rich doesn’t have an answer except that that’s the way real estate is.

Bob is perplexed and upset and is looking for an answer.  Since Rich doesn’t have one he is asking for help.  Can anyone out there explain the $15,000 difference and have it make sense.   PLEASE!

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE SUE ME??

For many years I've spoken out about the atrocities of percentage based real estate commissions.  Finally, last year I published a book laying it all out and naming names and companies including #Keller-Williams, #Exit Realty, #Warren Buffett and more who I believe are abusing consumers.  I also named the #New Jersey Real Estate Commission, the #New Jersey Legislature and #Senator Chris Connors who have ignored my plea for pre listing disclosure and turned their backs on consumers.

I was hoping that by naming them they'd come back at me but the fact is they know

everything I say is true.  I sure wish they'd sue me because I'd love to get them under oath.  Here's hoping!

www.thedirtyuglytruth.com

WARREN BUFFETT - CONSUMER FRIEND OR FOE?

He put his Berkshire Hathaway label on a real estate franchise.  And it hurts consumers.  Learn the Truth and find out why!

www.thedirtyuglytruth.com

#thedirtyuglytruth   #WarrenBuffett   #realestatesavings

DOES ALEX CHARFEN KNOW WHAT I SAID ABOUT HIM?

There's only one way to find out!  www.thedirtyuglytruth.com     #thedirtyuglytruth   #alexcharfen

I DON'T GET KELLER WILLIAMS AND EXIT REALTY

You know the saying.  "You can't create wealth by dividing it."  There are a set number of buyers and sellers in the market place at any one time and the more agents the smaller the share.  The Keller Williams and Exit Realty recruiting bonus schemes are just that...schemes.   Know it all by knowing The Truth.   "The Dirty, Ugly Truth about Buying and Selling Real Estate in America".   #thedirtyuglytruth


www.thedirtyuglytruth.com

ONLY 48 HOURS LEFT

On Friday, January 1st, I will be turning off the FREE PDF DOWNLOAD of "The Dirty, Ugly Truth About Buying and Selling Real Estate in America".  Members of the public as well as the real estate industry have an opportunity to dig inside a real estate transaction and see how consumers are getting screwed out of $100,000,000 in New Jersey and almost $5,000,000,000 nationally.

www.thedirtyuglytruth.com

#thedirtyuglytruth

#the dirty ugly truth

THE TRUTH IS HERE!!

I'm pleased to announce that my expose' of the real estate industry is now in print.  This book rips the cover off a very agent oriented and anti consumer industry and  divulges secrets that they don't want you to know.     Be informed!   

thedirtyuglytruth.com

Buyer, Seller or those associated with the industry NEED this book.

AGENTS & BROKERS: Take a sneak peak of the Dirty Ugly Truth

My book cracking open the real estate industry is in second draft editing and will be out late fall.  The book is written in 3 parts -- Sellers -- Buyers -- Agents and Brokers.  I will be happy to send the first draft of the Agent and Broker section to anyone who requests it by email with your business card information.  By doing so you agree that it is for your use only and is not to be shared in any way.

I believe that about 50% of people in this industry for 10 years do not have a full understanding of it.  Find out if you do.

Send your request to:  www.Dan@DanDesmond.com

A Personal Message for Parents Sending A Child Off To College

What an incredibly happy time for any parent. You've already gone through the process of applying and visiting colleges and selecting THE ONE that suits your financial needs and the educational needs of your student.

Having gone through this three times I'd just like to share some observations and experiences.

I'm sure that I don't have to tell you that when the graduating class walks out of the ceremony it is very unlikely that they will all be together again. It would be like throwing a crossword puzzle in the air and expecting it to come down all together. They will all go their own ways to college, the service, jobs, etc. Point this out to your senior so they can spend some happy times with their friends and maybe some who they like but don't engage with daily.

Now for you and your family the same is true. Once your child leaves for school your family will never be quite the same. Sure, your student will be home for many happy occasions but he or she will no longer be the young person you had so much influence over. Even after the first semester they will have matured and become somewhat more independent. Just before they leave take a family vacation and insist everyone attend. It doesn't matter if it's a week or a day...be together as a family. And don't forget to take pictures and videos.

Now here's they part you won't like. Life is life, and life has tragedies. No one whats to think of losing their child but it can and will happen to someone. A college or technical school is a huge investment and one that may cause loans to be carried long after THAT graduation. I urge you to take out a term life insurance for the amount and time it takes to pay off the loans. A $200,000 10 year level term plan for an 18 year old non smoker will have an annual outlay of about 3 or 4 tanks of gas. Please do it.

Enjoy your summer together and the exciting years to follow.

For Sale By Owner? Here are a few thoughts.

LET ME BUY YOU DINNER AND SHOW YOU HOW TO SAVE THOUSANDS

Daniel J. (Dan) Desmond, Broker of Help-U-Sell Bay Beach Realty presents:

Everything You Need to Know About Selling Your Home in Ocean County in 2015.

Thursday, March 26, 6:30 pm - Captains Inn at the end of Lacey Road in Forked River

This informative event will not be your typical 'buy with me – sell with me' real estate seminar. We will give you valuable information that will help you put more money into your pocket when you sell.

We will be dissecting the real estate business, taking the gloves off and sharing secrets that the industry does not want you to know, including:

·         How to marketing in an electronic world.

·         The ONLY two things that cause a house to sell.

·         The roles that listing brokers and selling brokers play in the process.

·         The unfairness of the common commission system.

·         How your commissions are split among up to 8 persons.

·         How real estate 'Teams' are costing you money.

·         How brokers waste your money to justify bloated fees.

·         How to save money selling your home

.   Why you can't count on your legislators or the NJ Real Estate Commission to protect you.  YOU MUST PROTECT YOURSELF AND WE WILL SHOW YOU WHY AND HOW!!

Complimentary full dinner will be served if pre-registered. (2 per household).

Register at  www.DanDesmond.com  starting March 16th.  Scroll to the Seminar button.

Thursday, March 26, 6:30 pm - Captains Inn at the end of Lacey Road in Forked River

*While this seminar is for the public real estate brokers and staff are invited to attend on a space available basis for $25 per person. All others are free.  

Who's Eating My Cupcakes?

Real estate agents can be a gullible lot.  Last week a major franchise held their annual meeting in Orlando and that's great--  all companies do that.  Now at this meeting the company proclaimed that it is the biggest in the country "by agent count".  Heh? What?  Is that how companies measure success  -  by agent count!   I know, I know - this company has a plan where they pay recruiting bonuses but that's a story for another day.

Here's today's story.  Real estate agents have "Herd Mentality".  Wherever the herd is heading they'll go along and even encourage their friends to join them.  But what I don't think they realize is that there are only a certain number of buyers and sellers in the market at any given time.  So brokers have their agents all pumped up about the company and tell them to bring their friends in to complete against them.  Duh!  Really!  Let's look an example:

Today is Sweet Little Margie's birthday and her mom sent her to school with enough cupcakes for her whole class to celebrate including the teacher.  But when it came time for the cupcakes the teacher went across the hall and invited another class to join them.  Now Sweet Little Margie and her friends realize there are not enough cupcakes for everyone so they'll have to take less.  And they're not happy!  Even though they're just kids they know they just got screwed!  It makes me wonder why agents feel happy in an office of 20, 40, 75 and more when they're competing against each other!!

Happy recruits head out to brand themselves with cards, ads and more to the delight of their brokers who know that the majority of them won't be around in a year.  But they may have sold a house or two so the broker won and, since regulations in most states require ads to have the brokers logo and contact information on them, the washouts spent the year building the company brand.  That's agent oriented real estate for you!

Here at Help-U-Sell things are different.  We're consumer oriented offering the same programs as other brokers but at a savings to the consumer by keeping our administrative costs low and a system that has worked  since 1976.  And our agents do well because they have no marketing expenses and much less competition because we don't pack the house.

It doesn't take a genius to know that if there are fewer people at the table there is more for those who are.
But don't ask Little Margie.  She's not that Sweet right now -- she's pissed!  Why aren't you?

Contact me or any Help-U-Sell office and we can tell you more about our expanded opportunity, how to spend more time with your family and more -- but that's just icing on the cake.







 

TO STAGE OR NOT TO STAGE??

Should I stage my home?  I hear that question every month and my answer is "Yes, stage your home but don't over do it.    When you think of it, vacuuming the rugs and putting toys away are basic staging.  Getting rid of clutter and packing away items that you won't be using until after the move is also staging.  And so is painting, especially rooms with non traditional colors.  Those are all tasks that sellers can do themselves at little to no cost.

Model homes are beautifully staged  with lots of "extras" but have a professional sales staff to sell the upgrades.  Resale homes that are vacant are candidates for some sprucing up so they won't appear cold. And if time is not on your side professional staging MAY help the home sell faster but not necessarily bring a higher price.


But what about hiring a professional staging company for a whole redecorating?  Now this is grey area and only worth while if you are sure the money spent can be recouped.  Remember that you won't be taking the "staged" items with you and most importantly the buyers mortgage company will order an appraisal and the appraiser will give little or no value to those items.

What it comes down to is making the home most appealing but at market price.  Plan your move wisely.

Can You Handle the Truth?

At Help-U-Sell we know there is a lot of misinformation about us out there

They say we're a discount broker:   FALSE! We are a full service broker providing all the same service as traditional brokers. 

They say our fees are paid up front:  FALSE!  We are paid at the closing just like you.

They say we don't have training:  FALSE!  Our training is highly rated by outside sources and is continuous and FREE!

They say we lack technology:  FALSE!  Our technology is definitely ahead of the curve and improving every day.  PLUS we OWN our technology platform and don't have to rely on outside vendors for changes and updates and there is NEVER a charge to our franchisees or agents. 

They say we lack support:  FALSE!  Our Tech Time Tuesday is an ongoing training on our systems and updates on all the many programs agents and brokers are approached about all the time.  Our Wednesday Power Hour is a broker get together on best practices, ideas and general communication.  Plus, our home office staff responds immediately to any help we may need.

Stop by Booth 201 at Triple Play next week for a refreshing chat or we can schedule a private meeting.  You'll be glad you did and at least you will know the truth.  Our VP of Development, Ron McCoy with be available all day and evening Tuesday and Wednesday.

WHY I NO LONGER SUPPORT "BRAS FOR A CAUSE" AND OTHER EVENTS

Last night was the 4th annual "Bras for a Cause" gala at the Captains Inn in Forked River.  It was sponsored by the Ocean County Chapter of the Woman's Council of Realtors.  The industry promotes several occasions like this including Toys for Tots and the Children's Miracle Network and others.  Please know that I support these and other causes in my own way -- Who wouldn't?

HERE IS MY PROBLEM

The real estate industry sponsors these and other events but who knows how much brokers and agents  personally give?  AND, anyone who has followed me on social media or knows me personally also knows that I am an EXTREME critic of percentage based real estate commissions where sellers pay more and more as the selling price of a home goes up.  For instance, a $300,000 sellers pays double that of a $150,000 seller and a $450,000 seller pays an astounding triple at any given commission rate which are always negotiable.  (Although the overwhelming majority are 5% to 7%.

SO WHATS WITH THESE FUNDRAISERS?

Think of it.  All the industry has to do is donate the DISGRACEFUL EXCESS from a few transactions each year and these monetary needs are met.  Here is the unfortunate truth.

THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY HAS MASTERED THE ART OF CAPITALIZING ON THE UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES OF OTHERS, GETTING THE PUBLIC TO PAY AND MAKING THEMSELVES LOOK LIKE THE HERO'S!

I just can't buy into it anymore.  I tried for a few years but my conscience scolded me.  So I'll continue being a good citizen in my own way.

Real estate agent friends.  Please don't make any comments unless you can explain what EXTRA services you provide for the EXTRA money sellers pay the example above.

THE BEVERLY CARTER HORROR

We all know by now of the tragic loss of Beverly.  I have no idea why she went to a rural vacant house alone to meet a stranger.  This lady is experienced and I'm baffled as to why she ignored an obvious danger.  But the fact that she was an attractive female should not shroud the danger to all real estate agents including men.  In this crazy world of drugs and violence men are at risk as much as women.  Why?  Jewelry, cell phones and other electronics, automobiles, cash and more.  Several years ago an ex marine agent was found dead and his personal belongings were taken.   A New Jersey agent was killed by one of her listing people when she visited them for a price reduction. 

I hope your next office meeting is one where your safety procedures are reviewed.  Everyone is a target due to the drug problem.  Discuss within your office what jewelry or other things makes you stand out.  And don't take anything for granted.  You too GUYS!!

WARREN BUFFETT, SHAME ON YOU.

Warren Buffett is one of the world's richest men and the author of books on wealth accumulation and a published New York Times article called "Stopped Coddling the Super Rich".  He also preaches conservatism and lives in the same house since 1958.   But last year he put his Berkshire Hathaway name on a real estate company which is mainly residential.

Now anyone who has read this blog knows how unfair percentage real estate commissions are.  As the value of the house increases the sellers pay more because of the percentage and get very little or no additional services.  A seller of a $300,000 home pays $2500-$5000 more that a $200,000 seller depending on who presents the buyer.  A $400,000 seller pays $5000 to $10,000 more and it gets insane from there.

These are not necessarily wealthy people - they could be your neighbors.  So why then does Warren Buffet's company suck hundreds of millions of undisclosed dollars from the folks on Main Street and pay the profits to wealthy stock holders who pay around $200,000 per share - what many houses sell for?  GREED!

Shame on you Warren Buffett - Shame on You!

A CHALLANGE TO REAL ESTATE AGENTS (NOT BROKERS)

Almost every month I ask what you do EXTRA for a $400,000 seller for the EXTRA commissions you charge compared to a $200,000 seller (figures for example only.  Commissions are always negotiable but we know that's a joke too!)  Now I am asking you - the folks who are in the trenches as real estate sales agents - to go to your broker and ask the same question.  Demand an answer!  Nail them down and remember, this is YOUR client in YOUR office.

I know there is no answer so let me ask you WHY you work for a company that disrespects your clients this way.  (I know the answer is greed but give it a try.)  And WHY do you disrespect your clients this way when they put their trust in you in one of the more important transactions they could have?

Again  --  YOUR client in YOUR office.  I look forward to hearing from you.

THE ENDLESS CYCLE OF REAL ESTATE

 Once again I remind my real estate friends that the lead hawkers have no control over the size of the market - how many sellers or buyers are active at any one time.  It’s impossible to feed fresh leads to even 10% of NAR members yet many of you still buy them.  I’ll bet you don’t even know why.  It’s because of YOUR BROKER who is one of the biggest enemies you can have in real estate!

You see, the agent business model relies on a constant flow of new blood to go out and seek business from their circle of influence.  Most experienced agents have worked with buyers only to lose them because a friend or relative just got their license. “Sorry, I really liked you though.  (Sniff).”  The industry’s constant recruiting creates a million NAR members (not including referral agents) where there is a need for about a third of them.  This creates a “fish in a barrel” environment and in order to stand out from the crowd agents spend tons of money marketing themselves.  And since most states require you to put your broker’s information in ads, you are really building the franchise and broker’s brand – not necessarily yours.  Is this necessary?

No.  Offer consumers a fair proposition and the results will follow.  Work in an office where there is one agent for each 10,000 of population instead of enough agents to fill a college lecture hall.  Be different, spend less and enjoy more time with your family, church or civic organization.  It’s so great to be Help-U-Sell.  Who has the courage to put greed aside and do what’s right for your clients.  And, SURPRISE!  You’ll make at least as much without feeding the lead hawkers.