The following is a true story.  The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Ah yes, another beautiful day and another eager couple excited and ready to head out and find their dream home.  With a strong need and desire to make an offer on something TODAY and CASH in the bank, Bill and Joan are a seller's dream come true - No cause for concern about credit since they have more than adequate cash on hand to purchase the home of their choosing.  No concern about the timing as they don't need to close for three months but are willing to close next week if the seller prefers.

The buyers have already viewed 10 homes and only have 5 more to see that made their short list.  If they don't find anything better today, it's okay because they found one yesterday that meets their needs just fine.  They have informed their agent that they are definitely going to make a strong offer on one of the listings TODAY.  They don't want to haggle over price or terms so they will likely offer full price and pay all their own closing costs.  They are flying out of town this evening and want this sewn up before the plane leaves the runway. (Like I said... these are ideal buyers.)

Now, no doubt, every seller in this market knows that the competition is stiff.  They are well aware that with hundreds of similar homes on the market they need to do everything they possibly can to make their home stand out above the rest.  No seller in the right mind (who truly wants and needs to sell) would do anything to discourage a buyer (especially a buyer like this) from looking at their home....

or would they?  (Fast forward to later that afternoon...)

Bill and Joan have carefully viewed and considered the first four homes on the list.  The one they saw and liked the day before was still their favorite but they had saved the best (most promising) for last and Joan was like a little kid on Christmas morning.  Fortunately the listing agent had done all the right things... she had included a wonderfully worded description of the property, all the pertinent details that any buyer would want to know before purchasing, 2 great photos of every room and numerous exterior pics as well.  She even had a copy of the survey and seller's disclosure attached to the listing.  Everything looked perfect... Joan said she just had a feeling that THIS IS THE ONE.

As the agent drives into the community she catches a glimpse of a glowing smile emerging on Joan's face and hears Bill softly whisper "This feels like home, doesn't it honey."  Joan says, "I just had a feeling...."

They turn the corner and drive up the cul-de-sac.  The seemingly perfect home sits before them at the end of the street, set up on a slight hill and surrounded by beautiful trees.  The landscaping was immaculate and the wreath on the door seemed to beckon them to come on in and see your new home.  The agent hears a slight gasp and a giggle come from both of them.

As they get out of the car, the agent begins thinking about what she's going to fix for dinner after writing up the offer on this perfect home.  With what they already know about the house and from the appearance of the exterior, there is little doubt that the interior will be any less perfect.  Yep... this is it.

All three walk up to the front door and as the agent begins to open the lockbox to retrieve the key she hears Bill exclaim, "What's this?!"

"What's what?" asks the agent?

"This notice on the front door.  It says UN-WELCOME!"  replies Bill.  Without missing a beat, he turns around, heads for the car and says, "No problem... if we're not good enough as we are to look at their house then we're definitely not good enough to buy it."

Joan sighs a sigh of disappointment but voices her agreement with Bill and heads toward the car behind him.  She seems to quickly regain her optimism and says loud enough for the agent who is fumbling to put the key back in the lockbox to hear, "No problem.  Let's go back to the office and write up our offer for the house we saw yesterday."  Joan locks her arm inside Bill's, looks up into his eyes with love and admiration and gives him a kiss.

The bewildered agent gets the key back in the lockbox, puts on her reading glasses and takes a look at this note that Bill asserted said UN-WELCOME.  What seller in this market would do such a thing?  Did the note really say UN-WELCOME?  She looked closely and read...

PLEASE REMOVE YOUR SHOES BEFORE ENTERING

Moral of this true story... sellers need to cut ties with their home the minute they decide to sell it.  Their 'home' now becomes a 'house' (a product that they wish to sell).  Buyers have a lot of choices... don't give them any reason or excuse to rule your "product" out.  Make buyers feel WELCOME and WANTED or they just might WALK!

                                                  Sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest difference.

Disclaimer: The "remove shoes" or "put on shoe covers" thing doesn't matter to me one way or the other.  I'm not the customer... as an agent working with a buyer, I tend to follow their lead on such matters.  If my customers bring any dirt into a listing I make sure that I clean it - in my opinion, that's just a part of my job just like turning off all the lights and making sure all the doors are locked.  While this customer is the only one I've had that refused to even look at the house, I've had several who scoff at the notice and simply walk on in with their shoes on.  And on the flip side, I've had some who automatically remove their shoes at every listing out of habit... the funny thing is that sometimes their socks or feet are dirtier than their shoes - go figure!? LOL