Real Estate SEO and Technology Blog

Okay, so we have this terrible economy with an unbelievable debt and falling stock market. If you look closer, you can see something shining, and it’s silver. Yes, a silver lining.

The one good thing about this economic catastrophe is that we’re all in the same boat. So now it’s time to do something that you would never think possible in a “normal” economic time:  barter. Ask for financing on the products and services you purchase.

Bartering
Wikipedia defines “bartering” as a type of trade in which goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods and/or services, without the use of money. It can be bilateral or multilateral, and usually exists parallel to monetary systems in most developed countries, though to a very limited extent.

Barter usually replaces money as the method of exchange in times of monetary crisis, when the currency is unstable and devalued by hyperinflation. Bartering benefits companies that see a mutual benefit in exchanging goods and services rather than cash.  It also enables those who are lacking “hard currency” to obtain goods and services.

How It Works

 The member companies buy and sell products and services to each other using an internal currency known as barter or trade dollars. Modern barter and trade has evolved considerably to become an effective method of increasing sales, conserving cash, moving inventory, and making use of excess production capacity for businesses around the world.

Businesses in a barter earn trade credits (instead of cash) that are deposited into their account. They then have the ability to purchase goods and services from other members utilizing their trade credits.  They are not obligated to purchase from the person to whom they sold, and vice versa.

The exchange plays an important role because they provide the record-keeping, brokering expertise and monthly statements to each member. Commercial exchanges make money by charging a commission on each transaction either all on the buy side, all on the sell side, or a combination of both (sound familiar?). Transaction fees typically run between 8 and 15%.

You sell homes, and those that pay you a fee may or may not have the cash to pay. Consider bartering a portion of your commission (with your broker’s blessing, of course) for products or services that the seller has that could be used to help you sell homes. Think of all the things you currently buy to get you through the month.

In the old days, there was no “cash,” and so all there was, was bartering. If the economy gets much worse, we may be forced to return to this basic policy across the board. However, I’m looking at this as an opportunity.  Make it easier for those selling their homes to do so without needing cash.

Does your home inspector need his/her home evaluated (note that I didn’t say “appraised” for you non-appraisers)? What does your carpet store need that you could provide without paying cash? The options are endless.

Favorable Financing
In this area, I’m referring not as much to home financing as much as I am to financing goods and services. Maybe you can’t find anything to barter for the goods or services you want. Here’s your option: Ask for favorable financing.

What is “favorable financing?” Let’s say you want to buy that new software program that will get you organized. Try telling them that you don’t have the full amount of cash, but could you pay 50% down and have them carry the balance for 6 to 12 months at 0% interest?

Here’s the interesting thing about asking for favorable financing. We don’t think companies would do this, and yet when is the last time you went into a car dealership and didn’t see an option of 0% financing? And if large companies are hurting, don’t you think small companies are hurting even more?

Now is the time to take advantage of that silver lining in this dark economic cloak with which we are covered. Before you say “This will never work!” I’d ask . . . “Have you asked?”

Randy Eagar has been Realtor Of The Year, Salesman Of the Year, National President of the CRS Council and author of the most successful CRS 2-day Technology Course. He is a sought after speaker and technology humorist. You can hire Randy by email Randy@ComputerCamp.net or calling (800) 277-1316.

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