One morning, John woke up feeling unusually weak. His head throbbed, and his body ached as if he had been hit by a train. Trying to brush it off as a lingering flu, he went about his day. But as the hours dragged on, John knew something wasn’t right. His energy drained, he found even the simplest tasks exhausting, and by the afternoon, his wife insisted he see a doctor.

Reluctantly, John agreed, and within a few hours, he found himself sitting in the doctor’s office. The doctor asked him some routine questions, examined him, and after a moment of silence, looked at John seriously.

“John, I’m concerned,” the doctor began. “Your symptoms could be indicative of something more serious. To figure out exactly what’s going on, we need to run some tests.”

John nodded, feeling the tension grow in his chest. “Okay, so what are my options?”

The doctor replied, “Well, you have two choices. You can go to the public clinic, where the tests will be free, but it will take a few days to get the results. Or, we can run the tests right here in our clinic, and you’ll have the results within an hour. However, there will be a fee for this service.”

John sat back, weighing the options. Waiting days for the results felt unbearable. His condition was worsening, and the thought of not knowing what was wrong for days gnawed at him. He glanced at his wife, who was sitting beside him, her concern matching his.

“What do you think I should do?” John asked the doctor, hoping for some guidance.

The doctor leaned forward slightly and said, “In my opinion, it’s better to act quickly. The sooner we know what we’re dealing with, the sooner we can take action.”

That was all John needed to hear. He chose to pay for the in-house test, preferring peace of mind over waiting in uncertainty. After an hour of anxious waiting, the doctor returned with the results, his expression serious.

“John,” the doctor began carefully, “your condition requires immediate surgery.”

John’s stomach dropped. The word “surgery” echoed in his head. “What now? Where do I go?” he asked, panic creeping into his voice.

The doctor handed John three pieces of paper. “These are three different surgeons you can consider,” he said, laying out the options. “The first surgeon is newly graduated, very friendly, but with a success rate of around 60%. He’s likely to be the least expensive option. The second surgeon has a few more years of experience under his belt, and his success rate is 70%. He’s slightly more expensive. Then there’s the third surgeon. He’s been performing surgeries for many years, has an 80% success rate, and is the most experienced of the three. However, he’s also the most expensive and quite busy.”

John’s head swam with the options in front of him. This was a life-changing decision, and he knew he couldn’t afford to gamble with his health. After a brief exchange of worried glances with his wife, John made his decision.

“I’ll go with the third surgeon,” John said firmly. Experience mattered most when the stakes were this high.

The doctor nodded. “I’ll make the arrangements.”

The next morning, John arrived at the clinic for his surgery. His heart raced, but knowing he had chosen the best surgeon gave him some comfort. Before the procedure, the surgeon met with him, going over the details and reassuring John that he was in good hands.

After two long hours in the operating room, John woke up, groggy but alive. His vision slowly focused, and the first thing he saw was the surgeon standing beside him, smiling warmly.

“The operation was a success,” the surgeon said. “You’ll make a full recovery.”

John breathed a sigh of relief, the tension easing from his body. But when he later received the bill, his relief was quickly replaced by surprise. The amount was much higher than he had expected. Confused, John called the front desk to ask for an explanation. Moments later, the surgeon himself returned to explain.

“How did you arrive at this number?” John asked, holding the bill in his hand.

The surgeon glanced at it and calmly replied, “About 15% of the bill covers the operational costs of running this clinic—things like the nurses who took care of you, the medical equipment we used during your surgery, the electricity to keep the facility running, and the insurance that protects both you and the clinic.”

John furrowed his brow. “What about the other 85%?”

The surgeon smiled softly. “The remaining 85% covers knowing how to perform a successful operation. It’s not just about the surgery itself; it’s about the years of experience, the skill, the training, and the confidence to make the right decisions at the right moments. That’s what ensured you woke up to good news.”

John paused, reflecting on the words. He realized that what he had paid for wasn’t just the procedure—it was the expertise that made the outcome possible. The high cost wasn’t just for the surgery itself, but for the surgeon’s knowledge and ability to deliver success.

How This Relates to Selling Your Home

Just like John’s experience with choosing the right surgeon, selling your home comes with important decisions. You’ll have options when choosing a real estate agent:

1. You could choose a newly licensed agent with a lower commission but limited experience, like the first surgeon. They may be friendly and affordable, but their success rate in securing top prices for homes might not be high.
2. You could go with a mid-range agent, someone who’s been around for a few years and has a better track record, but still doesn’t have the depth of experience to truly maximize your home’s potential.
3. Or, like John, you can choose an agent with decades of experience, a high success rate, and a reputation for achieving top results. This option may come with a higher fee, but you’re paying for the expertise that can make a real difference in your financial future.

Just as John’s surgeon explained, some of the fees when selling your home cover the basic costs—front desk, electricity, office equipment, insurance —but the majority of what you’re paying for is the agent’s ability to navigate the market, create competition, and negotiate the best possible price.

In real estate, just like in surgery, experience matters. The right agent can mean the difference between underselling your home or achieving a price that exceeds your expectations.

Why Expertise Matters

When John received his bill, he learned that while 15% went to the operational costs of the clinic, 85% of the fee reflected the surgeon’s expertise—the skill and experience that ensured the operation was a success. In real estate, the same principle applies. A portion of the cost goes toward the logistical aspects of the sale, but the majority reflects the agent’s experience and ability to deliver exceptional results.

Anyone can list a home for sale, just like any doctor can perform surgery. But only those with the right expertise can truly maximize the potential of the sale, ensuring that you not only sell your home but sell it for the best possible price.

The Bottom Line

John didn’t settle for the cheapest or most convenient option when it came to his health—he chose the best, because he knew that in critical situations, experience is invaluable. The same is true for selling your home. You have the choice to go with a less experienced agent to save on fees, but will they deliver the results you deserve?

When the stakes are high, it pays to invest in experience.

If you’re thinking about selling your home, don’t settle for less. Choose an agent with a proven track record of success. Contact me today to ensure your home sells for its full value.