A Christchurch real estate agent is offering an alternative to sellers fed up with paying percentage commission. He wants to spread north with his unusual model of charging hourly fees, reports ELOISE GIBSON.
House sellers fed up with paying real estate agents tens of thousands of dollars' in commissions - regardless of how much work was done - may have a saviour in the form of a small Christchurch sales firm.
Kim Franklin, who charges by the hour to sell houses, is in talks with potential partners in Auckland about spreading his unusual business model.
Like a lawyer or accountant, Franklin sees himself as a highly skilled professional whom home owners employ as a consultant.
House sellers fed up with paying real estate agents tens of thousands of dollars' in commissions - regardless of how much work was done - may have a saviour in the form of a small Christchurch sales firm.
Kim Franklin, who charges by the hour to sell houses, is in talks with potential partners in Auckland about spreading his unusual business model.
Like a lawyer or accountant, Franklin sees himself as a highly skilled professional whom home owners employ as a consultant.
Once the bill hits 15 hours he sits down with the owner to discuss what is wrong. Often it is the price. "We don't beat round the bush," he says. "Properties that don't sell in the market are priced incorrectly."
Franklin takes a more hardline approach. His acknowledges his tactics will not suit every seller, but nor does he want every seller as a client.
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"The last thing we need is a client with unrealistic expectations because that is not going to suit our model."
Ultimately, he says: "We will only work with people who need to sell. If they say 'we want this sort of money or we'll rent it out', as a professional I'd say 'well you need to rent it out because you're not going to get that (price)'."
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"The last thing we need is a client with unrealistic expectations because that is not going to suit our model."
Ultimately, he says: "We will only work with people who need to sell. If they say 'we want this sort of money or we'll rent it out', as a professional I'd say 'well you need to rent it out because you're not going to get that (price)'."
I like this approach and wish him well.
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