Why Marketing Still Matters in 2025
For nearly a decade, I’ve been ranting into cameras about real estate. And now, in the Audit Jason Show, I’m fact-checking myself. It’s like looking at your old Facebook photos — cringey, funny, and sometimes surprisingly right.
This week, I pulled up an old episode where I tackled two big questions:
- When should a buyer tell the listing agent they already have their own REALTOR®?
- Does MLS really sell your house on its own?
Let’s break it down.
Buyers: Stop Creating Chaos Before You Even Write an Offer
Picture this: you’re a first-time buyer. You’ve already got an agent you trust. But instead of calling them, you go straight to the listing agent to book a showing.
Sounds harmless, right? Wrong. That’s like sneaking into your mechanic’s garage and asking him to swap your tires for free because “you’re just looking.”
Here’s the problem:
- You’ve wasted the listing agent’s time.
- You’ve blindsided your own agent.
- You’ve created an awkward situation where trust, paperwork, and representation get messy.
The golden rule? Be upfront immediately. If you have an agent, let them make the calls. That’s their job. That’s how they protect you. And trust me, the last thing you want is a ticked-off listing agent when it’s time to negotiate.
Sellers: MLS Isn’t a Magic Wand
Here’s the myth: “Almost all homes sell through MLS, so it doesn’t matter how good your REALTOR®’s marketing is.”
Here’s the truth: MLS is the flyer. Marketing is the reason people circle the vacuum in the flyer and actually go buy it.
Yes, your house will probably end up on MLS. But MLS is a database, not a demand machine. What actually drives your home’s value higher?
- Smart targeting of the right buyers.
- Storytelling that makes people want your house, not just scroll past it.
- Creating demand so multiple buyers raise their hands, not just one.
In today’s market, where sellers hold the cards and multiple offers are the norm, the agent you hire — their reputation, their relationships, their strategy — can literally put thousands more in your pocket.
Manufactured Authenticity is… Garbage
Looking back at my old videos, I noticed myself trying to be “authentic” by staging messy moments or tossing in fake casual bits. And here’s the kicker: there’s nothing less authentic than manufactured authenticity.
So let me say it straight:
- No gimmicks.
- No “oops, look at my coffee spill” nonsense.
- Just the truth, delivered with all the caffeine and sarcasm my ADHD brain can handle.
The Takeaway
For buyers: honesty with your agent isn’t optional. It’s step one.
For sellers: MLS will list your house. Marketing will sell it for top dollar.
For everyone: don’t fake authenticity. People can smell it a mile away.
If you want real estate advice that’s transparent, strategic, and yes, sometimes ranty, stick around. Because the only thing worse than bad advice is bad advice that goes unchallenged.
📌 Want more? Watch the full episode of Audit Jason here: http://www.youtube.com/@TheAskTeam-eXpRealty
📞 Thinking about buying or selling in St. John’s? Call us. We’ll get it right the first time.