– Drew Grossklaus, Sales Director/BIC East Cooper
Many people have different views on cars. For many, cars are just a means of transportation from point A to B. For others, cars can be for driving fast around a track, through mud or over rocks or with the top open to feel the wind and see the sky. While the views of why we have cars may differ, most all of us have or have had a car. Many of us have also had the experience of buying a car from a dealership. I don’t want to disparage the industry, but I feel there are some important facts that many fail to understand when purchasing a vehicle.
The first thing to understand is the person that came out to greet you, shake your hand, offer you a cold water and take you on a test drive because this car is so amazing is not your friend, your advocate or even on your side. I have sat in car dealerships in uncomfortable chairs while a salesperson has said that they would go and talk to their manager to try and get me the number we just spoke about. After this process goes on a few times, the salesperson ultimately returns as though they tried everything and presents their best offer. I feel weary as the process has now been hours, and I sit and wonder what they have talked about at each pass. Having purchased a car on numerous occasions, I have come to the clear realization that I had no representation in the transaction. The salesperson worked for the dealership, not for me. Yes, they wanted to get a deal done, but I had no understanding of the structure of how they earned their commission from my car purchase. Were they earning based on just selling a car? Or if I paid more than the dealership would have been willing to take, would that salesperson have earned more? I had no representation in purchasing the car, other than myself.
We are going through changes in real estate. I feel the analogy to the process of buying a car is a great way to help explain why the changes will help to give a clearer understanding of transactions to our clients. Agents are required to have an agreement signed with a Buyer before showing them a home. While there are a few different forms that can be used, the point of the forms is that the Buyer has a strong understanding of what is being provided to them and the cost of those services. The Buyer should make informed decisions about their agent because unlike the car dealership analogy, when the Buyer signs that form, the agent is working for the Buyer. The agent must then provide certain services and unique services as agent and firm to them, and the Buyer understands what the cost is for those services.
While cars may have certain features and add-ons, they are relatively the same based on a brand and a model. Homes on the other hand, are on a different stratosphere of complexity from neighborhood, age, style, build quality, renovation…the list is nearly endless. William Means Real Estate and our agents have always offered our clients tailored and comprehensive service in Buyer representation. Since 1933, William Means agents have explained and exemplified the value we offer to Buyers. If you want to learn more about the changes to the real estate industry or how William Means should be your trusted partner in your next real estate purchase, please call us at 843-577-6651 or continue to explore charlestonrealestate.com.
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