AttorneyRE vs Typical Realtor

QualificationsDoug Miller, Realtor, broker, attorneyRealtor
High School DiplomaNot required
College Diplomaunlikely
Minnesota Licensed Attorneyunlikely
Certified Real Property Law Specialist (only 3% of lawyers certified)unlikely
Minnesota Licensed Real Estate Broker (few Realtors hold a broker’s license)unlikely
Minnesota Licensed Sales Person (90 hours of training) or broker’s licensebroker
Member of Realtor Association
Member of Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
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Services and AdvantagesDoug Realtor
Full Service for 1.5%. No
Does not split fees with a brokerage.No
Fee stays at 1.5% if buyer does not have an agent. No
Provides legal advice to clients throughout the entire transaction.No
Provides Exclusive Representation (will not expose you to dual agency). Click here to learn more about dual agency.No
Can negotiate and advocate for Seller clients all of the time. Realtors will ask you to agree to dual agency which means that they are prohibited from negotiating on your behalf.No
Fee agreement can be cancelled. Realtor contracts do not contain a cancellation clause.No
Fee Waived if Seller Defaults with Buyer and file does not close. No
Reviews closing documents on behalf of clients. Realtors are not lawyers and are prohibited from providing this service.No
Markets Property on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, all MLS member brokerage sites, and other buyer-frequented websites.
Conducts market analysis to determine selling price
Full MLS access
Automated Scheduling
Provides signage and lockbox
Provides marketing brag sheet for showings
Helps Seller with legal requirements and disclosures.
Full access to all Realtor tools
Provides advice on how to prepare home for sale
Provide showing feedback to sellers
Provide MLS statistics on showings to Sellers.
Prepares Seller Net Sheets on all offers received (it’s the law)
Follow up with parties who have seen the property.Maybe
Provides “FREE” staging services by a professional staging company. I recommend staging firms.NoMaybe
Provides “FREE” professional photography services (approximately $200 or more depending on services rendered). I recommend professional photographers.No
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Gimmicks and TricksDougRealtor
Provide “Office Exclusive,” “Pre-listing,” or “off MLS” service. This severely limits market exposure to get the broker a double fee (click here to learn more about pocket listings).  No
Charges hundreds of dollars in junk fees also called “Admin Fees” or “Additional Commission” No
“One-Stop Shopping” (conflicted and overpriced in-house mortgage and title services).No
Realtor-hosted Open Houses (Realtors use your house for self-promotion). No
Collect double commission with unrepresented Buyers.No
Include your listing in a fancy in-house magazine that does not sell houses.No
Send mailers to all the neighbors. Ummm why?No
Provides free Home Warranties (the most complained about product on Angies List).No
Has list of buyers ready to buy your home. This is a gimmick to get the broker double fees and severely limits market exposure.No
List Your Home on Social Media, TV and Other Places that promote your Realtor not your house.NoPossibly
Set up a separate website for your home (that directs buyers to the Realtor’s website – helps the Realtor, not you).No
“Guaranteed Offer” (low offer with a LOT of fees)No
1% Listing fee when you sell and buy (they collect a hidden 2.7%). No
Claims they can negotiate when they legally can not.No
Falsely claim they can sell your house for more than other Agents.No