"There has been much written and spoken, online, at conventions, and in industry publications, about real estate commissions and the pressures created on them by the proliferation of Internet-savvy consumers, national aggregators and discounters. Rather than take the position offered by many of devising arguments for protecting any standard commission schedule, Mollie wisely suggests offering alternatives. It all depends on who accepts the risk in any transaction. Visit ACRE®s Ken & Mary Deshaies

As a Realtor®, I have worked with clients who felt my commissions should be cut because their particular transaction seemed simple. They did not understand that for every successful transaction, there are five where my time was spent unsuccessfully - people change their minds, life circumstances change, or a buyer becomes disqualified. But, the work done for each who did not buy or sell was done for free. Our only payment is on successful deals. Consumers whose goals and abilities are clear, however, can engage a qualified agent for less if they are willing to shoulder the risk of compensation for representation. They can have a choice. And so can the agent. Welcome to the new face of real estate."

Ken Deshaies is the author of "How to Make Your Realtor® Get You the Best Deal" and "Get the Best Deal When Selling Your Home".

"As broker owners of a firm we realize the importance of providing options to our clients and customers. We provide extensive real estate knowledge and expertise for our clients' benefit and they have varied needs and budgets. The consulting model provides a win/win situation for our company and our clients. The Accredited Consultant in Real Estate (ACRE®) Program provides the best education in this field." Visit ACRE®s Rhonnie & Ed Rapozza

"The very first time I used the consulting approach I didn't get the contract for consulting. But by providing choices, I DID get a full commission listing from a FSBO and sold it in 6 days. By using the Consulting Approach, I have made over $24k in additional business in just a few months that I would never have made if I didn't offer consulting options". Visit ACRE® Deb Orth

Consulting is the logical evolution of the brokerage industry. It is by far the most professional approach to buying and selling real estate available today, and into the future. Gone are the days when agents dealt in privileged and protected real estate information. Most of that information is now available to consumers on a grand scale, thanks to the Internet. Visit ACRE® Vince Kleinknecht

Buyers and sellers want choices in the level of services offered by real estate professionals, and consulting gives them those choices. That's why I chose to become an ACRE®. It is by far the highest level of service that can be offered to the consumer today."

"The ACRE® consulting concept has so many possibilities it's mind-boggling. This will give us not only a great competitive edge with the FSBO (For-Sale-By-Owner) and investor market, but also the expired market. A big thanks to Mollie, Paula, Merv, and Tom for making this model available to us, and allowing us to be front-runners." Visit ACRE® Laurie Furem

"FINALLY! A program that IS what our real estate business SHOULD be! Though I thought Mollie's consulting model sounded good based on what little I initially knew about it, the more I became involved (taking the Consulting training through ACRE®, participating in the Graduate Coaching Exchange, getting the opportunity to interact with Mollie, Merv, Paula, and Tom on an ongoing basis) the more I felt TRULY FORTUNATE to have found this phenomenal group! Visit ACRE® Judi Bryan

Mollie so eloquently describes our industry's "identity crises", and she's right on target! Our industry is changing (whether we like those changes or not!) and the "old ways" of thinking and working are no longer enough. Finally there is a way where to provide our customers and clients with true "service" - and still get paid, even if there is NO SALE involved! Thank you, Mollie, for your "Win/Win" approach...and your willingness to share it!"

"I can't say enough good things about the ACRE® Course and Graduate Coaching Program. Well before the ACRE® course was generally available, I literally stumbled upon the consulting process on Mollie Wasserman's real estate website. One viewing of her video for consumers and I was sold! Visit ACRE® Betty Byrnes

Finally, almost a year later, the training module was ready! I signed-up, did the workbook, passed the test and became an ACRE®. But, that was just the beginning of the hard work! How was I going to make this work in my market - a market where the average sales price had slipped/slid to the high $80s to low $90s? This is where the Coaching Exchange, with input from fellow ACRES™ and the coaches helped me work through the process and determine ways I could implement the program to benefit not only me, but the consumer in this very challenging market.

Thanks to all of tools provided by our coaches and input from fellow ACRES™ on the Exchange, I was able to propose what I want to do and where I want to go with the consulting model. Success! Every step of the way all of our coaches have been fantastic - offering words of wisdom, guidance and support. The Exchange has been invaluable - "newbie" ACRES™ willing to share their progress, their successes and their stumbles along the way to implementing the consulting model in their practices."

Last year I changed companies two times in less than six months. My third company was at least a name brand and I started getting business. However, I knew there had to be another way besides knocking on doors and trying to call FSBOS who did not show up on the do not call list. Times were tough. Visit ACRE® Bill Barrow

I did not even start the class until March, my life is hectic. We have two-year-old triplet boys. My wife teaches special ed. Full-time. My dad had a really bad fall and my mom could no longer leave him alone to assist with our daycare. I was elected to fill in since my wife's insurance covers all of us and we really needed it. Finally, after we got the boys in an acceptable daycare, and my deals all slowed to a dead stop. I knew that I needed to get on the ACRE® site and finish what I started.

The material was not difficult. I made a 100 on the test!! However, I'm still kind of new at this, and my Broker was not very receptive of this brave new form of marketing that merely says: "Shouldn't I get paid for my work just like everyone else expects to? Isn't my knowledge and skill worth something?" Of course it is. Hence, if you want to take advantage of my skills and abilities so you can be successful, without spending unnecessary money- but without leaving yourself up the creek without representation. Then, we need to talk.

I have just recently taken advantage of the generous offer of another ACRE® who has been very successful- Merv Forney- to try and realistically set my prices to fit my local market. I have not yet presented my fee schedule, but have already mentioned it to several potential clients. They have all agreed to pay traditional commission instead. However, when I start competing with all the other agents here for FSBOS- the competition will be stacked in my favor. Why wouldn't a "penny pinching" FSBO jump at the opportunity to use my services? All the other regular agents have to offer them is their worn-tired-traditional full percentage commission. I have a smorgasbord of premium options which either stand alone or fit into a full package. Justifying my fees will never be difficult again!!!

I of course will need my Broker's blessing, but that seems very close to happening due to our very dead traditional market. Soon they may even be asking my advice instead of me asking theirs. We still do compete for business and Broker price opinions do not really pay the bills nearly as well as the smallest parts of my packages will! I am not sure what the market is going to do. Consequently, I'm very glad that I have found the ACRE® certification along with the great web and phone support from the ACRE® Council!! I really do not believe that I would make it through the next year otherwise. So come on and try it for yourself. You won't regret it. Everyone can use another success tool.

It was not until I became an ACRE® that I realized what piece I was missing in my consultative approach to my real estate business. You can work in the philosophy of a consultant, but being able to offer the choices to the consumer is another whole level. I have found the Coaching Exchange to be progressive both in the tools and materials offered and the subjects being discussed.