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Greg Cremia (Shore Realty of the Outer Banks)

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Rainmaker
1,535,564
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Unless this best person scores 100 on the "who is best for my client" exam and the first loser (aka second place) scored an 80, I'd look at other area agents.  If they don't pay for referrals, that tells me they are probably too busy or just don't like working with other realtors.  In those cases, will they really give the best service?  Will they give you any status updates?

Jan 31, 2017 10:25 AM
Rainmaker
920,403
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Yes, there must be someone else with similar credentials. If this agent doesn't pay referrals, it's already a signal to me that he or she thinks too highly of himself or herself.

Jan 31, 2017 10:14 AM
Ambassador
6,664,089
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

And there lies the ethical violation, and why most professions prohibit buying or selling referrals.

Jan 31, 2017 08:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,045,915
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

If there were NO other very good fits for my clients yes I would the odds of only finding worthy agent in a market though are slim

Jan 31, 2018 05:56 PM
Rainmaker
5,289,757
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

(1) I've never heard of an agent not paying at least 25% for a referral...not in 25 years. And I've never declined to pay one either.

(2) You'd need to define "best." Typically, I can find more than one great agent to refer to that my client would be happy with. So why not send to someone who will pay a referral fee.

Jan 31, 2017 08:26 AM
Rainmaker
634,582
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I agree with Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA  and others on this. I make several referrals every year and always interview agents I don't already know before referring to them. I have never had an agent balk at paying the usual referral fee. 

Jan 31, 2017 07:36 PM
Ambassador
1,092,125
John Meussner
Catalyst Mortgage - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

It's different in the mortgage world, but if I were an agent, I'd expect compensation for sending over a gift wrapped package of a fully qualified client with a warm introduction.  People pay for leads, and these are the 'glen gary' leads, so I think compensation is necessary.

 

The other referrals, where people get a random name and number, and forward it, then want 25%, I think that's a little crazy.  I believe in being compensated for work done --- if absolutely no work is done, then no compensation should be present.

Jan 31, 2017 11:43 AM
Ambassador
2,311,345
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Whoever that is does not want, need or deserve your referral.  Move On.

Jan 31, 2017 10:27 AM
Rainmaker
5,584,578
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

there is no best....

Jan 31, 2017 09:29 AM
Rainer
408,854
John Duke
Staging By John - Burlington, NC
We stage your home to show it at its best!

This really isn't something we deal with in staging there are rarely referrals maybe 2-4 times a year I run into them

Feb 12, 2018 07:07 PM
Rainmaker
577,850
Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

I can hardly believe there would only be one good agent that would take care of your clients... There are a lot of good agents out there.. 

Feb 05, 2017 07:56 PM
Rainmaker
1,647,022
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC • Short Sale • Probate

What is ''the best agent''? How do you define it? 

Feb 02, 2017 06:03 PM
Rainmaker
1,749,677
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Yes and as Corinne Guest, Managing Broker wrote. We are not unique and there are always many more choices

Feb 01, 2017 06:08 AM
Rainmaker
4,322,035
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Greg Cremia - definitely time to reconsider.

Jan 31, 2017 10:58 PM
Rainmaker
602,025
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

Of course! You can't just give your business away!

Jan 31, 2017 09:00 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,138
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I have yet to find the best agent that will not pay a referral fee so I guess 
I have been sending to less than the best.

Jan 31, 2017 08:23 PM
Rainmaker
5,254,347
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

There is never only 1 best agent just like there is never only one house. Look up several and interview.

Jan 31, 2017 07:17 PM
Ambassador
3,422,030
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

If they truly are the "best" agent then they would not have an issue paying a referral fee. I am with Corinne Guest, Managing Broker 

Jan 31, 2017 07:05 PM
Rainmaker
115,482
Jeanne Feenick
NextHome Premier - Basking Ridge, NJ
The Agent you choose REALLY does make a difference

Yes, I would look for an alternative.   If I got that response I would consider the arrogance that spawned it and move on ---- for the good of the client - and myself.

Jan 31, 2017 06:36 PM
Rainmaker
4,273,331
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

By all means I would send it to someone else. I'm sure the agent of who you speak doesn't refer without compensation...

Jan 31, 2017 05:49 PM
Rainmaker
2,234,859
Debbie Laity
CinaJones Real Estate - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County

I've never run across an agent that wouldn't agree to pay a referral fee. Maybe this is the best agent for your client, but why is this the best one? 

If this agent won't pay a referral fee then maybe they aren't the agent they seem to be. 

Jan 31, 2017 04:04 PM
Rainmaker
809,308
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

I agree with Bob Crane. But what specifically makes them the best?

Jan 31, 2017 04:02 PM
Rainmaker
5,177,402
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

This is still a business first so yes show me the money

 

Jan 31, 2017 03:16 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,227
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I let them interview the agents I refer and decide.

Jan 31, 2017 03:00 PM
Ambassador
3,654,444
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Greg I've never heard of an agent not wanting to pay a referral fee and I've been in the biz 28+ years.  

Jan 31, 2017 01:17 PM
Rainmaker
1,869,178
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Yes but why doesn't the agent pay referrals? It's standard business practice & is just a part of real estate. Maybe not the percentage? 

Jan 31, 2017 12:33 PM
Rainmaker
8,126,540
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

"Best" is an elusive description for real estate agents. There usually alternatives that will meet the needs.

Jan 31, 2017 10:49 AM
Rainmaker
846,575
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Honestly yes, it's part of deal.

Jan 31, 2017 10:19 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,257
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Greg Cremia Unless I'm doing some charity work, I would find another "best agent". This is a business and not a hobby.

Jan 31, 2017 10:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,713,581
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Not sure I understand the question. I send the referral to the broker of the agent who is willing to take a referral fee for the referral.

Jan 31, 2017 10:08 AM
Rainmaker
692,995
John Slocum
Premiere Property Group, LLC - Vancouver Washington - Vancouver, WA
Broker, SFR - Vancouver WA Real Estate

We would question the eligibility to be "Best" in this case; unless they were the Only broker in a small town.  What might they be hiding?

Jan 31, 2017 08:54 AM
Rainmaker
5,774,095
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Greg,

I agree with Corinne Guest, Managing Broker .  Here in Santa Barbara, we have 6 best agents I would happily refer.  Each is different and would suit different personalities.  A

Jan 31, 2017 08:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,260,308
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

What consititues best agent?   We have 100,000 other agents on the list....

Jan 31, 2017 08:36 AM
Rainmaker
2,841,137
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Depends on the situation. First, the clients well-fair and then other dynamics

Jan 31, 2017 08:07 AM