What alot of misinformation,as an agent we would be mad not to report auction results the reality is it is often the best ad that gets some so called experts like yourself calling and perhaps logically those that may not be reported are those that the vendors are unrealistic and really dont want to sell

good post westan logical and correct as an estate agent i sold for many people in 1998 who told me they were selling to get back in when it drops they dropped out similar because of hype, as an agent working 6 ks from the cbd our market is good every property is selling and really people dont you know never sell in spring simple supply and demand favors the buyer so auction clearance rates drop i checked the reults from last year and what do you know we went from selling 80% in winter last year to 60% in spring it happens every year and march april next year i will bet anyone its up again!!!!

All very well my friends but lets look at the early 90s spiraling interest rates at 17-22%sorry but the astute investor can lock in today at 6.75 or thereabouts of course those morons that brought spec of the plan in the city southbank or docklands have already done dough but lets look at the fundamentles good economy and growth since 98 to 2003 has only made up for a lack of growth in 1993 1996 averaged out growth has been steady since 1993 until 2003.Since jobs are secure im sure we all can pay our mortgages and avoid hype created by the media regarding henri kaye,lets face it he was always going to go down my 1 year old could have predicted that,good established property is always good, crap real estate is always crap,and gee arnt more people renting anyhow than buying so demand is good for rentals yes the returns arnt huge but there still going many people have made good capital growth by speccing since 1998 anyone could, not hard at all but of course those that own tons of real estate with no real plan but to hold and watch the growth may get burnt but not the smart people!!

Okay dont hold it against me i am an estate agent and with conviction honesty is paramount to me,yes of course i would prefer people to use me when selling but always look at where you are selling before deciding whether to handle it yourself or by agent or private sale or by auction.If its 6.8 kms from the cbd use a good agent because there will be more than one buyer who wants it,time and time again i see owners who either overprice and wonder why they cant sell or owners who mistakenly think saving on agents fees is clever its not when they undersell it by 10%This year every home i have been appointed to sell has sold ,yes agents get a bad rep but not all are dodgy as are doctors lawyers mechanics solicitors etc pls show some respect to those that practice real estate professionally .On Average i meet 50 buyers per week so if any one rings me to sell a home i already know i have clients looking but more so when it comes to negotiating i know what they have bid on or offered on a private sale basis im infront by a mile in getting the best dollar, lets say your Agents fee is 2% on an average sales in melbourne of 350,000 thats $7,000 if i cant get seven thousand more for a property than 90%of do it yourself home sellers id be very surprised.Remember a good agent negotiates for a living day in day not just once every now and then and whilst you may disagree a good agent knows when a buyer has more and when a buyer is ready to walk anyhow agree or disagree but when selling a house or investment property its only too easy to sell it cheap and think how clever i saved on agents fees!!!