A couple weeks ago an email popped into my mailbox. The subject said Low-end listing. I was intrigued, and started reading what I thought would be just a piece of spam. It turned out to be a very sincere and intelligent Email. The writer stated that she knew I specialized in high-end listings but wanted to know if I could recommend someone who would do a good job of marketing her low-end listing.
Immediately I knew that she had to have stumbled upon this post I had recently written. For starters, although I have achieved Million Dollar Guild status with the Institute For Luxury Home Marketing, I have made it a point since relocating to Idaho last year NOT to position myself as a luxury broker. Last I checked there was over 10 years inventory in those high-end listings! Our local stats show 70% of sales are under $200,000 at the present time. I had found in the past that when ordinary folks perceive me as a luxury broker, they mistakenly believe that I wouldn't be interested in selling their ordinary property.
Yes, I confess, I LOVE THOSE HIGH-END LISTINGS, but I just as enthusiastically love ANY listing that is priced right, affordable and shows well. Because after all, the point to taking ANY listing is to sell it!
I was able to convince the owner of that low-end listing to meet with me. I was then able to convince her that I would be honored to list her beautiful, well-kept home with a lovely yard and tons of curb appeal. She was so sweet and so concerned that because of the low listing price of $114,800 it wouldn't be worth my while! We have it listed now, and I am enjoying working with my first-time home seller who has proven to be simply delightful. I LOVE my low-end listing! (I would never have described it that way, but it's how she refers to it, so I do so too, affectionately, with tongue in cheek.)
Today, I listed a beautiful home in the historical neighborhood of The Fort Grounds near Coeur d'Alene City Beach, for $1,200,000. Almost TEN TIMES the price of my low-end listing! I confess that I am thrilled to have that high-end listing, and that those sophisticated sellers have enough confidence in my abilities to select me to work for them. But I can honestly say that not one more bit of energy or enthusiasm will be spent on marketing that beautiful restored classic Craftsman near the lake. Oh, don't get me wrong, I will be a marketing maniac with that listing. THAT is the benefit to people hiring me to market their ordinary homes. I put everything I have into all of my listings. I am used to sophisticated sellers holding me to a high standard and requiring accountability.
I don't shift gears and slack off proportionately to the listed price!
So whether a home is selling for $114,800 or $1,200,000, I will not rest until I have done everything I can to get it in front of the likely buyer.
There you have it, the fun story of my favorite low-end listing. And another validation of the value of time spent blogging!
Janna Rankin Scharf provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.com to search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.
No matter how grand or modest your real estate dreams may be, you can turn to me in confidence. Give me a call today and let me know what I can do to be of service to you!
Janna Rankin Scharf, AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS 208.651.9700 NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com
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