In the world of luxury real estate, the adage “you get what you pay for” rings particularly true. Many Realtors cut their commissions to secure a listing, but what sellers may not realize is how detrimental this practice can be to the success of their property sale. The promise of saving a few percentage points on commission often leads to shortcuts in marketing, presentation, and overall effort, ultimately costing sellers more in the long run.
The Hidden Costs of a Reduced Commission
When a listing agent cuts their commission—sometimes offering just 1% on the listing side—they significantly diminish their ability to invest in the high-quality marketing that a luxury property requires. For instance:
- Subpar Marketing Materials: A recent luxury listing used iPhone photos instead of professional photography. This lack of effort is a missed opportunity to attract serious buyers. High-end homes deserve high-end visuals.
- Minimal Exposure: A discounted commission often translates to a “sign in the yard and MLS” approach, an outdated method that does little to showcase the luxury lifestyle surrounding the property.
- Reduced Effort: Some agents underprice their services simply to secure a listing and use it to advertise their name in the neighborhood, not to truly serve the seller's best interests.
What True Luxury Marketing Looks Like
At The Agency, we don’t cut corners. Our goal is to make every listing stand out in a crowded market. We invest significant time, energy, and financial resources into ensuring each property is presented at its absolute best. This sometimes means weeks or even months of preparation before going live.
Here’s what we provide:
- World-Class Photography and Videography: Every home is shot at the perfect time of day by expert photographers and videographers to capture its unique essence.
- Lifestyle Branding: We collaborate with luxury car dealerships to incorporate high-end vehicles into photo shoots, showcasing the lifestyle that accompanies the property.
- Cutting-Edge Digital Marketing: Each listing gets a custom website and domain name, 3D Matterport walkthroughs, and sponsored ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
- Expansive Syndication: Listings are syndicated to over 150 real estate-related websites, ensuring maximum visibility.
- Sophisticated Print Marketing: High-quality brochures, full-color mailers, and placements in local and international magazines elevate the property’s exposure.
- Luxury Branding: Our recognizable branding signals quality to buyers, whether they’re local, national, or international.
The Costs of Excellence
Marketing luxury homes isn’t cheap. In Oklahoma, we spend between $5,000 and $8,000 on average per listing, with some exceptional properties exceeding $18,000 in marketing costs. This investment ensures our listings outshine the competition and attract the right buyers.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Luxury Realtor
Choosing the right luxury Realtor is critical. Before hiring, ask these questions:
- How many years have you been in real estate, and how many luxury homes have you sold?
- Do you work full-time or part-time?
- What resources do you have to support daily operations, including a closing coordinator and marketing team?
- Are you affiliated with a local, national, or international real estate brand?
- Do you have access to trusted contractors for repairs or improvements?
- What is your strategy for marketing luxury homes, and how much do you invest per listing?
- Can you provide examples of recent success stories?
- How many followers do you have on social media? (We sell a significant number of homes directly through Facebook and Instagram.)
- What is your company’s real estate website? (This allows you to see how your home will be presented online.)
Partner with Wyatt Poindexter and The Agency
At The Agency, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional results for luxury homeowners. Our expertise, marketing reach, and dedication to quality set us apart in the Oklahoma market. If you’re looking to buy or sell a luxury home, let us show you what we can do for you.
Contact Wyatt Poindexter today for a consultation or to learn more about how we can elevate your property’s potential.
Wyatt Poindexter - 405-417-5466 - [email protected] - www.OKLuxuryHomes.com
