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What Is That Seller Thinking? Just Read His Blog to Find Out!

By Monica Bourgeau

Services for Real Estate Pros

July 22, 2009 12:53 PM

What Is That Seller Thinking? Just Read His Blog to Find Out!

Have you ever wanted to know what the "other party" in a transaction was thinking? Well, you may be able to find out, and you won't even need a crystal ball!

We just recently closed on a transaction for a home with a great first-time homebuyer and his family. We looked at several and identified "the one" in a short amount of time. Both the husband and wife are very computer and internet-savvy and do their research.

When they got home, they were able to pull up the property taxes online by the property address. This information is available to the public on the City's website and also lists the owner's name. A quick search on Google of the owner's name just happened to pull up his Blog.

The seller kept a blog related to his work and discussed his family, favorite books, and it just so happens....the sales process of his house. He talked about previous showings, mentioned offers, and even commented on our showing - we were a little early and they weren't quite ready for us and were disappointed.

We put an offer in on the house and it went under contract. The seller didn't make too many more references to the sale after that but it certainly made for an interesting transaction!

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Eric Reid

Renaissance Realty Group of Keller Williams Atlanta Partners - Lawrenceville, GA

At my real estate school they had a special day of training all about reading the buyers and sellers mind

Jul 22, 2009 01:04 PM

Ryan Shaughnessy

PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com - Saint Louis, MO

Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner

It is always interesting to hear what the other side thought of a transaction - whether blog, twitter or status updates on other social networks. I often connect online and look for clues with my prospects as to which way they are headed.

Tammi Copsey

Perry Hall, MD

Great post and a reminder that we need to let our sellers know that anything they post on the net could be seen by potential buyers. It makes me wonder if anyone has ever "shot themselves in the foot" by blogging about issues with their house, repairs, neighbors and whatnot. I guess this is yet another reminder to give sellers at the listing appointment and beyond. Thanks for sharing!

Michelle Gibson

Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL

REALTOR

For some reason I have a (bad) habit of googling buyer's and seller's and sometimes I find out some very interesting things. I haven't come across anyones blog, but I have read a few facebook pages that weren't blocked to the public.

Jul 22, 2009 01:05 PM

Andrea Swiedler

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT

Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Wow, that is weird. I will have to check this out myself, wonder if I will get anything, LOL. It would be far easier than reading thier minds though. Thanks for the tip!

Jul 22, 2009 01:07 PM

Maureen McCabe

HER Realtors - Columbus, OH

Columbus Ohio Real Estate

wow.... that would be odd. A buyer or seller could do themselves serious damage by posting content during the transaction if they or the property are identifiable.

Jul 22, 2009 01:09 PM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

You must have found them on Facebook. This happened to my broker. He was representing buyers who wrote an offer on a property. He happened to know who the sellers are and managed to monitor the seller's thought process.

This reminds me of a philosophy that when you're at the negotiation table, and after presenting your case, first one who talks loses!

Jul 22, 2009 01:13 PM

Vanessa Calhoun

PalmerHouse Properties & Associates, LLC - Atlanta, GA

Your Greater Atlanta Marketing Guru!!

Proof positive and a good testament to the longevity of internet comments!!!

Jul 22, 2009 01:14 PM

Suzanne McLaughlin

Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN

Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

I'll be sure to let my buyers and sellers know that their blogs may be read by interested parties. I would think that they would know not to let that information out. But, with Facebook and Twitter all over, you need to let your clients know that their every move on the internet can be scrutinized. Thanks.

Jul 22, 2009 01:16 PM

Monica Bourgeau

Portland, OR

Business Coaching

Thank you for all of your comments, it really is a reminder for both buyers and sellers that what they post online is available to everyone.

Jul 22, 2009 01:45 PM

FN LN

Toronto, ON

Kevin and Monica - I hadn't thought of using the internet in this manner. Very useful information.

Jul 22, 2009 02:13 PM

Thanks Marc - they were some savvy buyers for sure :)

Jul 22, 2009 02:28 PM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Kevin and Monica ~ My clients often arrive at the office to put in an offer knowing more about the sellers than I do after googling them. This takes the cake though. Amazing!

Liz

Jul 22, 2009 02:38 PM

Gerry Khatchikian

Red Lodge, MT

ASA, TRC, SFR

Kevin & Monica,

Congratulations on the closing and thank you for the tip! I will make sure to take the time to do some additional research and to also alert my buyers and sellers so that they are more conscious of the info which is available out there to everyone (and that most is probably the result of their own online activities).

Gerry's AR signature

Jul 23, 2009 03:47 AM

Olga Diaz

COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON - Pullman, WA

Potter, Mng Broker, CRS, ASP, ePRO, ABR

Wow! That is interesting and kind of a negative for the seller and a positive for your buyers. Like all social networking out there, you have to be careful what you post, don't you think? Thanks for the great post.

Jul 23, 2009 10:00 AM

Margaret Barnes

Windermere Investors Marketplace, Jacksonville, Oregon - Jacksonville, OR

ABR, GRI, Jacksonville, Oregon

I honestly never thought of Googling prospects. I will now. Thanks of the tip!

Jul 23, 2009 03:54 PM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

I wonder if you would have read the seller's blog before making the offer if it would have created anything negative or positive about dealing with them. I wonder what the listing agent would have thought if they realized their client might be spilling too many beans?

Jul 23, 2009 05:53 PM

Tracy Lee Parker

RE/MAX DFW Associates - Royse City, TX

Buy*Sell*Rent

We americans google everything! The internet is here to stay. Thanks for this information. I am going to google my listings now.

Aug 05, 2009 11:05 AM

What Is That Seller Thinking? Just Read His Blog to Find Out!

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Monica Bourgeau

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