Great topic for a video. Unfortunately, for the reasons you mentioned, I don't think this upfront fee will ever become popular. Some consumers may dislike realtor commissions, but they like the idea that someone will invest time and money into their property with very little risk to them if the property doesn't sell. I don't blame you for taking the money up front, and I might be wrong but I bet the sellers who paid you upfront were more realistic with price expectations and not just "testing the market".
The one seller that listed and has already has sold with the upfront structure he knew he was going to sell (upgrading from a condo to a house) and exactly that he priced the condo 50k lower than the same floorplan that had sold above him two year ago to account for the softer condo market.
Great topic for a video. Unfortunately, for the reasons you mentioned, I don't think this upfront fee will ever become popular. Some consumers may dislike realtor commissions, but they like the idea that someone will invest time and money into their property with very little risk to them if the property doesn't sell. I don't blame you for taking the money up front, and I might be wrong but I bet the sellers who paid you upfront were more realistic with price expectations and not just "testing the market".
The one seller that listed and has already has sold with the upfront structure he knew he was going to sell (upgrading from a condo to a house) and exactly that he priced the condo 50k lower than the same floorplan that had sold above him two year ago to account for the softer condo market.