Jun 22, 2006 -- FSBOs down, but discount services growing
The number of people selling a home by FSBO (for sale by owner) is in decline. Its down to about 12 percent, while 70 percent of sales happen with traditional brokers. This ought to be great news for real estate agents. But Clark thinks FSBOs have declined because those people are choosing discount brokers. And, in fact, almost 20 percent of real estate transactions are done with discounters these days. The real estate industry and the National Association of Realtors, in particular, has been doing everything possible to try and shut down the discounters. But Clark thinks that discount services are necessary and theyre here to stay. Commissions are negotiable these days, with the average falling to five percent. Commissions had been up around the 7 percent mark until the discounters came along. So, dont be afraid of using a discounter. You can both benefit. By 2010, Clark predicts that people will be able to pick and choose the services they want. Hes not anti-agent; hes just against price fixing.