Denver-Area Real Estate Agents Face Challenges From DIY Buyers and Sellers and Low-Cost Competitors

In 2017, 13 percent of buyers and 8 percent of sellers didn’t use a real estate agent when purchasing or selling their homes

By ALICIA WALLACE | awallace@denverpost.com | The Denver Post

Kelly Moye, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX Alliance in Broomfield, has been a broker in Colorado for 27 years. She has ridden the undulations of the Front Range real estate market and witnessed the evolution of technology.

“The buyers can get information online, and that’s wonderful, but it stops right there,” Moye said.

From that point forward, the success of that purchase will depend on whether professionals are involved, she said.

“It’s quite hard to actually get the property, if you’re not working with a REALTOR® who’s experienced in negotiating and contract writing,” she said.

People get pretty excited about saving money, but Moye cautions that they should take the time to do the math when going with a discount or flat-fee broker. If offerings such as signage, listings, website presence, negotiations are made a la carte, those might add up to be similarly priced or more expensive than a full-service brokerage, she said.

Additionally, Moye noted that a REALTOR® is a licensed real estate agent who also must uphold the code of ethics and standards for the National Association of REALTORS® and is required to complete continuing education courses on a recurring basis. In Colorado, real estate agents are licensed as brokers.

Colorado Association of REALTORS® says 26,011 active REALTORS® are among the 38,626 active brokers licensed by the Colorado Division of Real Estate.

Foremost, it comes down to experience, relationships and that personal connection, Moye said. The trust built over the years with sellers’ agents have gotten many buyers in the door and contracts inked, she said.

“It’s an intangible,” Moye said. “It’s something that is so important because that is actually how we get those deals done.”

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