[GRE]Writing Argue _ SA sample 002

The following was posted on an Internal real estate discussion site. 

" Of the two leading real estate firms in our town - Adams Realty and Fitch Realty - Adams is clearly superior. Adams has 40 real estate agents. In contrast, Fitch has 25, many of whom work only part-time. Moreover, Adam's revenue last year was twice as high as that of Fitch, and included home sales that averaged $168,000, compared to Fitch's 144,000. Homes listed with Adams sell faster as well: ten years ago, I listed my home with Fitch and it took more than four months to sell; last year, when I sold another home, I listed it with Adams, and it took only one month. Thus, if you want to sell your home quickly and at a good price, you should use Adams"

The author claims that Adams is evidently better than Fitch in real-estate market. To support this argument, the author suggests some statistical data about the number and working hours of the firm's agents, and the revenue, average selling price of the two companies. The author also indicates his own experience with Adams and Fitch. However, this arguments is flawed in many aspects.

  To begin with, the author assumes that Adam's serve is superior to Fitch's since Adams has more real estate agents than Fitch, and these agents work more hours than their counterpart do. However, the author fails to provide the information about how the quality of service that real-estate firm offers is related to the number or working hours of its agents. Without this evidence, it could be possible that Fitch meets customers' expectations better because of its flexible business structure and working hours. If so, the argument that Adams' service is better than Fitch's is unpersuasive to me. 

  In addition, the author assumes that Adams is more effective in selling hours than Fitch, citing last year's revenue and average selling price of the two companies. However, the author overlooks the possibility that a company's revenue can easily change year after year. It is fairly possible that the result of last year was unusual case, that is to say, Fitch's income was higher than Adams' in most other years. Moreover, if Adams deals mainly with luxurious houses, its revenue and average selling price have little to do with its effectiveness. In any case, the argument that Adams has comparative advantages over Fitch in selling homes is unreliable to me. 

  Last but not least, the author assumes that the house listed with Adams will be sold faster than that of Fitch based on his own experience. However, the author ignores possible conditions that affect the speed of sale. It is possible that economic environment has significantly changed for last 10 years or the marketability of recent house much higher than previous one. Accordingly, the argument fails to convince me that homes with Adams will be sold quickly because of its superior service. 

  In conclusion, the argument is unreliable to me as it stands. To support it, the author should show clear supplemental evidence that it is non other than more agents work longer hours that make. Adams be more effective in selling homes than Fitch. Also, the author needs to inform me that all conditions which affect home sales was the same in his own experience with Adams and Fitch.