Notes From Readers: Cost vs. Value Report Needs Overhaul

The tremendous response to our “1998–99 Cost vs. Value Report” (November 1998, page 46) showed us just how important remodeling information is to our readers. Although many readers praised the report as a handy tool, others were distressed by the report’s subjectivity.

“The article perpetuates our industry’s propensity to promote subjectivity as fact,” said Anthony Balzano, broker-owner of Balzano & Associates, Arlington Heights, Ill. “Thousands of members will now be touting that data as fact and will invariably influence their clients’ renovation decisions.”

Balzano and others recommended using more qualified appraisers in the future, an idea REALTOR® Magazine plans to heed when it works with Remodeling magazine to develop next year’s report.

WEB WARS: No competition yet

My wife is the one in real estate. However, I read REALTOR® Magazine religiously. I run a Web site design company and look to your articles for help in answering questions about building real estate Web sites.

I read “Web Wars: The Contenders” (December 1998, page 44) with interest. After reviewing the other Web sites you referred to, I can honestly say that realtor.com doesn’t have much to worry about anytime soon. For now, you have the best site on the market.

If I had any suggestion, it would be to make the front page simpler. I noticed on page 47 an ad for the redesigned Realtor.com. Are you planning to make the change soon? That front page is much easier for new Internet users to digest.
—Rusty Smith, Site to Sight, San Marcos, Texas

Editor’s note:As of late December, the redesigned site was still in test mode, but the launch was expected “any day.” And we agree: The new front page deserves raves.

NEGOTIATION: Don’t devalue your service by bargaining your fee

I read David Rathgeber’s “Selling” column (“Avoiding deadlocked negotiations,” November 1998, page 30), and although most of the article was informative, I take strong exception to one statement.

We shouldn’t consider ourselves and the time we commit to our profession to be so meaningless that we give away part of a well-deserved commission when there’s a deadlock in negotiations. I ask whether Rathgeber offered up part of his management fee when he represented Fortune 100 corporations in contract and wage negotiations that ended in a deadlock. I’d guess not.

It’s not the dollar amount that’s the issue. It’s the principle and example that become a benchmark for all future negotiations.
—Robert N. Sibulkin, broker-associate, Coldwell Banker–Steve Weeks, REALTORS®
Laconia, N.H.