Customer Reviews

111 Ways to Justify Your Commission: Value-Adding Strategies for Real Estate Agents and Brokers

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

What a stinker! I can't believe I actually paid for this book. The author takes really basic skills and presents them as if they are new discoveries.

Here are some examples

Tip #3 is: "MAKE A LIST OF ACTIVITIES YOU DO TO EARN A COMMISSION," and in the section he offers the following suggestions for working with sellers: obtain a preliminary title report, develop a targeted marketing plan, hold open houses, advertise the property, and negotiate on behalf of the seller. My thoughts: anybody smart enough to pass the test and obtain a license to sell real estate understands these basic principles.

Here are some of his other tips that demonstrate why this book is so aweful:

#16 Become a Realtor
#18 Learn to Use Technology to it's fullest
#19 Build Rapport With Your Clients
#38 Respond to Calls & E-mails Promptly (isn't this common sense?)
#53 Ask Clients for Referrals
#54 Build Your Business on Referrals (duh!!)
#66 Meet Your Clients Face-to-Face
#83 Contact Clients Regularly
#88 Wear a Name Badge or Carreer Apparel (whay not both?)
#98 Solve Clients' Problems

I admit, there is some decent advice in this book, but overall this book is't worth the value of the paper it's printed on. The auther and publisher should be ashamed of themselves. The real title of the book shoud be "10 Somewhat Interesting Tips and 101 Really Useless Tips."

When I initially ordered the book, I thought that it would give me 111 ways to justify my commission to my sellers. Instead, it is full of different chapters that have no rhyme or reason. Some having nothing to do with justifying my commission. One chapter even goes into detail about what I should do once I get tired of the real estate rat race!! Not real motivational for a REALTOR trying to make a success of his or her business. Probably the worse book that I have ever purchased on real estate. Save your money.

Instead of buying one copy of Michael Lee's 111 Ways to Justify Your Commission, I would recommend buying two copies (This way you will always have one with you). This is not the kind of book that you read and put away on the shelf, this is the type of book that you keep handy and continually refer to, especially before meeting with potential clients. While this book is jam-packed with useful information for the real estate professional, it is also a confidence builder. Michael Lee understands what it takes to be a real estate professional because he has been in "trenches" himself and he is able to empower you with his experience.

Jim Gurman
Real Estate Broker, GRI
Arcata, Ca

Selling a house is a very complex job, requiring great skill and experience, knowledge of contracts, Financing, Marketing, coordination of many people, including the Seller, Buyer, Lender, Inspectors, repair people Escrow Company and much more. Real Estate can be a very stressful profession.

With clear, practical and useful suggestions, in his book 111 Ways To Justify Your Commission, the author presents a no-nonsense and straight forward guide to Real Estate issues that both novice and experienced Realtors run up against in their careers.

This book offers a framework for all Real Estate Professionals that can help to learn the techniques to Sell value.........not price and should be suggested reading to newly licensed Realtors by every Broker. It will also serve as a graduate course for the experienced.

If you are looking for the game plan to follow in Real Estate, Michael Soon Lee presents just that in this book in a manner that is easy reading and can really help in fulfilling your Real Estate goals.

Maxine Thomas
www.maxinethomashomes.com

I recently became a real estate agent's assistant and am new at seeing the real estate agent's side of the business. While I have been investing in RE for several years, this side of the business is a real eye opener. This book was very easy to read and understand, and it brought up some excellent points such as; A To-Don't List and what kind of person to do business with, just to name a few. The book is up to date with blog information and the importance of staying connected via the Internet. The extra tips past 111 really show that the author walks his talk,and the idea to add tips was very creative, too. The principles can be applied to any business, so anyone working for themselves can benefit from what this book has to teach. As a real estate agent's assistant, I now have some concrete ideas on how I can better support the business which will add more value to my services as well. I highly recommend this book!

I'm a real estate broker with CENTURY 21, been active in real estate for 16 years and was recommended this book to review. I LOVE it!! And I'm only half-way through. I've recommended it to our agents and they've decided to start our real estate book club back up using this book. Looking forward to sharing their thoughts on it when we're done. The information is so crucial for the beginner or the veteran who needs a reminder or a revision of what needs to be said and done to boost your confidence in today's tough economy. When I finish the book, I'm sure I'll bump my review up to a 5-star!

Why??

Reason #1 - Introduction is not very encouraging.

"Today more clients than ever are questioning the value of real estate services and asking agents to reduce their commissions. In fact the average commission rate has dropped 16 percent in the last 14 years......

Unfortunately it is expected that there will continue to be a downward pressure on commissions....."

Ok, I realize that there is risk in every career you choose but this is just flat out discouraging. Ok, maybe the commissions have dropped (I don't know because I'm just now getting ready to take my salesperson exam.) The price of property has gone up (at least in my area). If the price has gone up then maybe it's not as bad as he makes it out to be. All I know is that I'll make more than I was in insurance. Don't get me started on those commissions at my last job.

Reason #2 - Obvious things to do.

Be on time for appointments. (Things happen in traffic but I would never cause a client to wait on me and if something came up you call them. This is just common sense.)
Dress professionally. (Really? I thought I'd show a house in a raggedy t-shirt and jeans.)
Meet your best clients face to face. (Why would you not? In insurance I've met all of mine...good or bad.)

Reason #3 - The ending.

He suggests love what you do or get out. I agree that if your stomach is in knots when you are about to walk into your workplace that it's time to move on. I've face that before. I really don't need to pay $20 for book just so he can start it off with how commissions have dropped and end it with how to get out of it if you don't like it.

I was looking for tips and motivation since I've studied so hard. I wasn't looking for negativity and depression. If I want depression I'll watch the news. It's free and it's everywhere.

Sorry to rant. I'm just very disappointed.