Scenario:  Mr. Seller is very eager to sell his house.  He just "happens to be home" when a lot of the buyers and their agents pop by for a visit. Mt. Seller likes to be the tour guide highlighting all the parts of the house he [the Seller] likes about his house. Mr. Seller also likes to talk money.

Yes, that's right.  Stuff like "I can do this with closing help or I can do that with less closing help or....."  Get the point?

So I get the call from the agent with a low ball offer.  I present to the Seller.  The Seller tells me, "I told Ms. Agent what I could do and not do and yadda, yadda, yadda.  I thought she was on board."  Or I get feedback about how awkward the agent felt or that the buyer really didn't like the main feature of the house the Seller was so proud of.

No matter how may times I ask Seller clients to take a walk around the block or go to a movie or hide in the basement, there are those that insist they can sell their house just fine, thank you very much.

I don't get it.  If they really didn't want the help, why'd they ask (and agree, in writing, to pay my fee)?

Please...to all you Mr. and Ms. Sellers everywhere: you may get more than you thought, in less time than you thought, with less stress than you thought...if you let your Realtor do their job.  Sit back. Relax.  We'll get it done.

 
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12 Comments on Mr. Seller...Let the Buyer's Agent Sell Your House

OCT
04
Outside Blog

That is not help.  I tell all my sellers that the buyers agent is a pro and if you tell him or his client anything it will probably cost them money.
6:46pm • #1

Well said, We've all had this conversation with our sellers and it needs to be said again.

Thanks!
6:50pm • #2
154,146 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Ken -  A seller being home is usually a little uncomfortable for a buyer, but when the seller decides to give the tour it's almost always uncomfortable. 
6:51pm • #3
112,807 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor

Ken ~ That is huge no no for the sellers to be home don't ya think?  I would have to have another talk with the sellers and insist they do themselves a favor and vacate period.  What they like about the home may not be what the buyer likes.  He is telling the Buyers agent private info that will be the reason for low ball offers or NO offer. 
7:02pm • #4
168,886 Points 4 Featured Posts

I've had a few instances when the sellers have been in the housetrying to sell it and my people just couldn't wait to get out of there. Makes people very uncomfortable to be given a tour either by the sellers or the agents that don't think we know how to do our jobs, without them.
7:31pm • #5
Outside Blog

I'm on board with my colleagues on this.  The sellers should never be home when the buyers agent and the buyers are there. Buyers are put off and feel they can't make comments.  They feel they can't look in closets and cabinets. They don't want to express themselves for fear of offending the seller. In most cases, the buyer is anxious to get out of the house because the seller is hovering or making their own comments and giving an unwanted sales pitch. And I totally agree with Ken.  Why would a seller lay out good money to a REALTOR if they feel they can do it better? 
7:45pm • #6

It's bad enough that they stay home but they need to learn the first rule of sales - You have two ears and one mouth for a reason!
7:47pm • #7
Outside Blog

It's even worse when it's an owner/agent who is there during the showing.

This is also the reason that FSBO's don't work out that well.
8:10pm • #8
OCT
05
1 Featured Post

The best experience is when the seller was telling my client about how much money and time he put into upgrading this room and my buyer replied that he was going to tear it down and make it into a music studio. I had to control my laughter!
2:15am • #9
296,133 Points 42 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Diplomacy works.   Perhaps explaining that by shielding the seller from the buyer, it will strengthen the seller's  negotiating power.   Keyword here is power.  
5:57am • #10
522,855 Points 41 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

I've found this issue in particular with older clients.  They have a lot of memories in their house and want to share them all.  We just have to be patient and explain that when someone is coming to see their house it is a great time to do their errands so a new family can think about how  many memories they will make in the home.
6:32am • #11
OCT
07

Hi, Ken:

I love sellers who stay home during showings. I tell my buyers that I will engage the sellers in chitchat while they look around the house. Then if my folks are at all interested, we ask probing questions of the sellers. Their listing agent would be mortified to find out about that.

Cheers,

Robin
4:50pm • #12

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