Compare Tulsa Realtors

            National Real Estate Web Sites & TV Ads...
                                            ...The Truth & The Myth

What's in it for you and what's in it for them?

     When you are looking for a list of Tulsa's best REALTORS, the national TV commercials and websites will offer to match you with a qualified REALTOR or to get banks to "compete over you." They leave you with the impression that "they" the internet companies, will somehow look out for you and your best interests.

     The truth is they are profit-driven organizations that have come up with a way to get their hands into the pockets of REALTORS and lenders, and they will match you with whomever will agree to pay their price, regardless of what's in your best interest. Since buying and / or selling a home is the biggest financial transaction in most peoples' lives, buyers and sellers should understand how these companies operate and how they make their money.

Remaining anonymous, what's the big deal?

     A key "selling point" many of these companies offer is that you can evaluate prospective REALTORS while remaining anonymous. Our first impression of this is "so.....what's the point?" If you want to anonymously compare local realtors you certainly don't need one of these national companies to do it. Simply type the obvious "keywords" into any search engine and you will immediately be able to review the resources of dozens of top local realtors.
 

Get the best commission rates?

     Some of these companies promise to help you get the best rates by getting professionals to "compete over you." They then charge outrageous referral fees to whomever you end up with. These professionals are then asked to do the same job they always do, but this time for up to 30% less. It is not hard to understand how this kind of arrangement could result in a begrudging half-hearted effort which reduces you to a "2nd Class Client."

     A truly successful top producing REALTOR is not likely to resort to this kind of agreement because it takes such a big bite out of the their income. More often than not, you will be matched with a "B-string or inexperienced professional who needs the business and therefore has no other choice but to agree to these usurious fees. Even if the "winning" referral agent is inclined to give you a reduced rate to to get your business they are prohibited from doing so because they have already given away such a large chunk of their normal compensation.

Who really gets REALTORS and Lenders to "compete" over you?

     When you think about it, it's a bit ridiculous for these companies to maintain that "they" are somehow responsible for getting REALTORS and lenders to compete over you. These market forces are already in effect and in terms of benefits to you they are diminished, if anything, and definitely not enhanced by some outsider taking a big bite out of the deal. A TV commercial or internet company does not force competition - it's already there.

The Free Home Evaluation "Gimmick"

     Some of these companies offer to tell you what your home is worth but you should understand that anything less than an "in home visit" by a qualified appraiser or experienced REALTOR can only produce a result that is highly suspect. Some of these companies claim that you will have access to the same information real estate professionals use.

     The problem is that they provide you with a very generic dollar-per-square-foot range usually for an entire zip code. These values are not specific to the features of your home or your neighborhood and do not contain similar comparable sales that REALTORS can provide from the database of the Multiple Listing Service and other sources.

     The real purpose of this "service" is to match you with a someone who has paid an exorbitant amount to the company for any leads from your particular zip code. Again, the most qualified and top producing REALTORS are not going to resort to this kind of arrangement because it takes such a big bite out of their income.

So what IS the best way to find and compare Tulsa REALTORS?

     In our opinion you will NOT save any money with these national companies, and you might very well receive inferior service. You will probably get much better service at the same price from someone local to whom you have actual access, and who knows that you may refer them or be a repeat customer.

     And if you can't save any money with the national companies, wouldn't you rather have your dollars going to the hard working lenders and real estate professionals who are on the ground achieving your goals, rather than a website owner who has figured out a way to get a cut of "your" deal?

     An excellent way to find and compare local realtors is to utilize the resources of your favorite search engine. Search for "Tulsa Realtors" or "Tulsa Homes", or "Tulsa Real Estate." Visit a dozen or so websites of the most prominent search results and evaluate them based upon your needs and expectations. Narrow the list to two or three REALTORS and invite them to interview for the right market your home or to help you purchase one.

     During the interviews, ask for references and client testimonials. Address the key issues that are important to you and ask how they will be handled. Lean towards the individual to whom you seem to have the best rapport. It really does not need to be any more complicated than that.