Brian Marino, Broker at Douglas Elliman in Farmingville, NY

My message today is to my fellow realtors as well as clients. If the relationship between realtor and client is to thrive, then both must believe in each other and trust each other. Easier said than done I know. But think about it....as a realtor when I know the seller or buyer believes in me, I'm fighting even harder for them. That's harder when there's distrust for whatever reason. When the realtor and client are at odds, it makes everything more difficult. I know this is c...ommon sense, but lack of trust in one another can cost thousands to both realtor and client. The client doesn't get the realtor's best negotiating skills, costing them thousands, and the realtor never gets referrals, costing them thousands. I made a mistake earlier in my career by not focusing on this and just doing a "good enough" job. Now my clients know I'm in their corner, they're in mine, and the whole transaction is easier and more profitable for all. Change your focus, change your results! See more

Interest rates have dropped dramatically over the last year or so. 30 year rates are below 4%, possibly even 3.5%. Factors such as your current interest rate, years left on your mortgage, and your personal financial situation determine if it makes sense to refinance. Call your bank, mortgage company, financial advisor or me to help determine what is right for you. I'm happy to advise!!!!

Today I'd like to put the for sale by owner (FSBO) debate to rest as to whether someone really does save the real estate commission by selling themselves. With 29 years in the business, and having spoken with thousands of people selling on their own, I think I am qualified to answer this. What the average person thinks is that by selling privately and not using a real estate broker they save the real estate commission. It seems logical on the surface but there are several thi...ngs to consider. First the assumption is that a buyer a private individual attracts will pay the same price as a buyer brought by a real estate broker. Facts are it's possible but highly unlikely. The mindset of a private buyer is the same as the private seller...to try and save the commission. Both parties can't save the same commission, it's impossible. That buyer's offer will most likely be less than a buyer brought through a broker. If a private buyer is going to pay the same as a buyer brought by a real estate broker, why would that buyer not use a real estate broker to find a home? Think about it....working with a real estate broker offers tons of homes to see, expertise on these homes and towns, advice, recommendations, and problem solving skills just to name a few. The fact is in most cases if a buyer is avoiding a real estate broker it's because they're expecting a lower price on that property. The only time I see evidence to the contrary is in a hot market and the house has something exceptional and desirable. The best analogy I can give is shopping at 7-11 or Costco. Costco is the for sale by owner, 7-11 is the real estate broker. There aren't many Costco stores but rarely do you have to travel more than a few miles to get to a 7-11. If you took the extra time to go to Costco and prices were the same as 7-11, would you go back? Of course not. In addition when selling privately now that person is doing all the work of the real estate broker. Finding a buyer is barely only half the work. The other half is finding the right buyer and being able to handle the problems that come up. Also, negotiating the best price and deal is another area that a real estate broker more than makes up for the commission. I often hear of a price a for sale by owner sells for, and in most, though not all cases, know I could have sold the property for that price with the commission on top of that price. This is why several independent studies have shown people selling on their own net less than if they sold through a real estate broker. Bottom line is selling with a real estate broker in almost all cases nets the owner more money. I do stress almost all, as I personally hate it when real estate brokers claim it's 100%, because it's not. Feel free to pick my brain anytime regarding this topic. See more

Every so often I'm in touch with a realtor who gives the industry a bad name. Let me stress this isn't typical despite what some of the public wants to believe. I call an agent to show a 2 bedroom condo. He answers the phone not with hello but hello Brian. I don't know him and I know most in my business. Obviously somehow he has my number saved in his phone. Strike one as I hate when someone acts like I'm their best friend and I don't really know you, it comes across as so p...hony and disingenuous. He tells me it's sold, and then goes on and on about a one bedroom listing he has in the same complex. I tell him buyer only wants a 2 bedroom but he continues to try to get me to show it. Strike 2. Finally after telling him for the 3rd time buyer wants a 2 bedroom, he tells me it doesn't have a garage which buyer also wants. And still he says to see if buyer wants to see it. How obnoxious and strike 3. It was tough not being rude. Why? Clearly this agent only thought about himself. The public today can spot this type of self centered jerk a mile away. Just listen to what people say and have self awareness for what you say. You'll be liked, trusted and respected most of the time. See more

Zillow or more to the point, the zestimate. The average person not in real estate loves this, until they learn the hard way how inaccurate it can be. It's quite simple as to why. The algorithm used cannot accurately value condition and presence of every standard item and improvement in a home. It also cannot predict how someone will value or devalue location nuances. And finally, I believe Zillow states the zestimate can be off 10% or even 20%. Let's look at that. If I think ...something is worth $50 and I'm told it's worth $45 or $55 (10% off) or $40 to $60 (20% off), probably not a big deal. Now if I think a home is worth $500,000 and I am told it's worth $450,000 to $550,000 (10%) or $400,000 to $600,000 (20%... yikes!) you can see the HUGE problem created in the person's mind. Bottom line...the zestimate is nothing more than a rough estimate. Use it as such. Also gather all the information you want, but trust a real estate professional to interpret that information....and give you KNOWLEDGE. See more