I've noticed that during the last few months of every year, agent list-serves and forums begin popping with posts regarding the newest and greatest software, tools, and must-have cool gadgets to buy for their businesses. This crazy rush to purchase the newest and greatest is in full swing by the NAR® (National Association of Realtors®) Convention in November and only seems to slow down when the realities of holiday shopping hit home - usually when the bills begin arriving in January.
Below is a response from one of the ACRE graduates and coach, Judi Bryan, to a post on a list-serv regarding programs that teach fee-for-service type models.
There is a program available which gives the "availability" of fee for services, but goes, I believe, a whole lot further. It's the ACRE® program for Accredited Consultant in Real Estate. Since the program is designed around a "consulting" model where the seller has options with what services they want and how they want to pay for them, and the agent has the opportunity to get compensated for time and expertise, whether a transaction ensues or not, it offers a real win/win. And there is no need to sell a prospect on anything. All it is meant to be is an option...an option that gives us "transparency" in how we are being paid and does not require that the seller take an "all or nothing" package.