Selling or buying a home? Take the Modern approach

At Modern Real Estate, the approach is different. With a focus on Omaha, Lincoln and surrounding communities, the Nebraska-based real estate company puts sellers and buyers first.

"Real estate has been done the same archaic way for so long," says Modern Real Estate founder and owner Tyler Bebout. "I knew I had to change it with a modern way of thinking and full transparency."

Bebout aims to change the industry with his client-first mentality and full-disclosure fee structure. Emphasizing affordability and transparency, Modern Real Estate caters to a wide range of clients, from first-time home buyers and sellers to seasoned investors.

"It's astonishing how many clients I talk to who actually do not really know where their $18,000 in commission is going," Bebout says. "We step up to be an advocate for the consumer, allowing our clients to choose exactly where their commission is being spent."

So where does the money go? The three major components are listing commission, buying commission and marketing costs, Bebout says.

At other brokerages, home buyers and sellers are often paying for extras they aren't aware of, including corporate fees, attorney fees and even fees for them to maintain flashy offices. As a "boutique brokerage," Modern Real Estate can place funds where other real estate companies can't.

"It's not a revolutionary way to do business," he says. "It's just a better way."

Soon after he started in real estate in 2015, Bebout realized it was clear that the industry needed a change.

He started asking questions and listening to the needs of his clients, vendors, and other agents in the area.

"It's no secret, the reputation agents have," Bebout says. "I started this new model with the idea that the public will appreciate the value of hiring a Modern agent."

Putting buyers and sellers first is the only way to save an industry which has spiraled for the last 30 years, Bebout says. If it means he and his agents make less per transaction, it pays off in the long run.

"The public needs real estate professionals, but only those who hold tight to their fiduciary responsibilities and put the clients first," he says.

There are more than 7,000 real estate agents operating in Nebraska, Bebout says, which means buyers and sellers need to screen them carefully to find one who works for them. The agents at Modern Real Estate offer all the benefits of a 6% broker but will save tens of thousands of your hard-earned equity.

"You need to interview your agents," he says. "It's worth it. If you take nothing else away from this, my goal has been accomplished."

Tom Sturgeon interviewed several agents before finding the right fit.

Every one of them tried to get him to sign a contract for a 6% commission structure, he says. They were relentless in their attempts to convince him how hard they would work to justify their commission - and he felt his intelligence was insulted.

"Given the current seller's market, I knew that the house would sell quickly, and they really couldn't justify to my satisfaction why I should pay such an exorbitant amount of my equity to them," Sturgeon says. "They were all absolutely against discounting their commission."

Looking for an alternative, he was scrolling Facebook one night and one of Bebout's online ads popped up on his feed. The next day, he called Bebout and scheduled a meeting.

"He met me at the house we were selling, and right away I saw a distinct difference in the way he presented himself," Sturgeon says. "He wasn't selling, he was just candid and low-pressure."

Sturgeon and his wife, Denise, quickly signed a contract. Bebout sent a photographer to take professional photos and had an open house scheduled a day later.

"Tyler communicated exceptionally well," Sturgeon says. "The day after the open house, we had a qualified cash offer, and the buyer wanted to close in two weeks. He got us what we wanted for the house. His commission of 2% vs. the industry standard of 6% saved us $16,000."

Whether buying or selling, every client comes first at Modern Real Estate. That's simply how Bebout operates - and always has.

Tyler Weiland, a longtime friend of Bebout, met him 10 years ago when they lived in the same apartment complex. Weiland has since worked with him to broker several real estate deals over the years.

"Tyler works hard every day to make it more fair for everyone," Weiland says. "He's on the up-and-up and comes from humble roots, so he understands how important it is to deal honestly with people."

Bebout's transparency and desire to change the industry to benefit homeowners sets him apart from the real estate crowd, Weiland says.

"He's very grateful for what he's made for himself, and he's the only person I'll work with in real estate," he says. "That's how much I believe in him and what he's built at Modern Real Estate."

For Bebout, fighting for the client isn't a game changer - it's just the right thing to do.

"Modern Real Estate cares about the consumer," Bebout says. "We're not afraid to show our clients exactly how and where their commission and fees are being spent. The Modern agent is in the fight for you. We are on your side."