Had an interesting conversation with a current seller today.  His home is vacant and has been on the market for approx. 90 days.  The listing is about to expire within 2 weeks.  I am currently thinking about not extending the listing.  It was an overpriced listing, we listed it at $275, my suggestion was $249 because that was what it comped out at.  He had the best home in the subdivision and it was going to be picked up quick.His words, not mine.  Avg. days on market is approx. 100 - 120 days.  The home has an Arizona Room which was done by the homeowner (no permits),no baseboards in the Arizona room,  wood flooring done by the homeowner, saloon style doors in the home office, no closet doors in the 2 of the bedrooms, a dog run that still had dog stuff (I'm not talking about toys).  I enlisted the help of a staging company because my seller was not listening to any recommendations that I was saying.  I paid for the stager to come in and give a consultation to the sellers.  As of today, they have not done anything that was suggested!!

I took this home on the Realtor tour, had plenty of feedback from other Realtors and a home inspector, all basically stating what I had already told him.  We had an offer and during the inspection period (he called the inspector, the pool inspector, and the air conditioning inspector all idiots!!) the deal fell through.  When I listed the home, I suggested that we purchase a home warranty, the seller wanted no part of it.  When this deal fell through and he realized that the air conditioning unit was 23 years old and might fall apart at any time, he agreed to purchase a home warranty on the home.  When I called him last week, I left the message that I wanted to extend the listing agreement an additional 3 months.  He finally called me back this morning and stated that he wasn't sure on what he wanted to do.  When we had the offer on his and I thought that it might fall apart, I realized that I did not want to work with him because in my opinion he is a bully.  I represented  him when he purchased his current home back in February and parts of that transaction left a nasty taste in my mouth. 

Advice???

 

16 Comments on Help!! Advice is welcome here!!

JUN
26
2007
184,002 Points 46 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp
Karen: Fire him. Refer the client to another agent and perhaps collect a referral fee? 
12:22am • #1
202,804 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Karen, I say go with your gut instinct...he sounds like a bully, whoever purchases the houses is going to have to purchase it in 'as-is condition' (because of the room with no permits)...and that should be stated in the MLS and in the contract or counter offer.  Sometimes people like him are just not worth the trouble or $$$.
12:25am • #2
4 Featured Posts

Karen, I just had this conversation with another Realtor.  How much business are you losing because you are working so hard on this one that won't sell?  Could you have three other listings that are priced right and can sell fast in the time and marketing you have put into this one?  If he is not emotionally ready to sell, he's not going to sell.

 

Lexa Montierth 

12:30am • #3
240,429 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

There is a lot of wisdom in the value of NOT taking an over priced listing, ONLY hiring 5 star clients, and the statement. . ."if you want the same results you've gotten, continue what you are doing".

Good luck on this one!   Referral fee sounds like the way to go...

12:30am • #4
I'm with roberta and katrina, get the referral fee .
12:38am • #5
600,655 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Don't extend the listing. Why have an overpriced listing? A seller who doesn't respect your judgment? Next time, don't pay for staging until the price is where it should be and the cleanups are done. Also, why risk being sued for a nonpermitted addition, etc.  NEXT!
12:52am • #6
650,291 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
I'm with the folks above - fire him, refer him and get a referral fee. And I hope you get reimbursed for your out of pocket staging costs.
1:16am • #7
416,892 Points 63 Featured Posts Outside Blog
If it won't appraise you'll never get paid.  Plain and simple.  Buyers are using the same internet to do their research, that the seller's are using.  Buyers are educated and will never fall for overpaying for a home, in this day and age.
5:11am • #8
In this type of market, fire him. It's difficult enough to sell a home without having a seller who is a bully.
5:20am • #9

Mary - Yes, it is written on the MLS and the property disclosure that we do not have permits for the Arizona Room.  Actually, if memory serves me correctly, when I suggested that he go to the city to see what was needed to get the permits, he came back and stated, "Those people down there are idiots!!"  Funny, how everyone is an idiot except him.

Robert, Katrina, Angel, Bob & Carolin - I like the referral fee idea.  I will give it some thought. 

Kristine - when he purchased his home that he is living in, he stopped by when the seller was there (seller was an widowed older woman) and made some comments that did not sit well with me as a person.  That was when I thought that this might not be worth it.

Thanks for the advice.  I believe I know what I will do.

8:37am • #10
285,100 Points 1 Featured Post Attended Rain Camp

Why, exactly, did you take this listing in the first place? There are some you are much better off walking away from. There are others where you HAND THEM YOUR COMPETITION'S CARD (someone you aren't thrilled with) and suggest they call THEM.

I'm with the person who said, above, that you may be losing other business because of the time you are wasting on this one.

12:57pm • #11
202,804 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Karen...u should of come back with 'it takes an idiot to know an idiot' :)  Just kidding, I know that's impossible to say but I'd surely be tempted!
3:24pm • #12
1 Featured Post
Karen, I'm just now figuring out that sometimes you have to say "no".  It's not like me....I like to help everyone, but now I'm in a situation that has been frustrating, disappointing and deceptive on the part of my clients.  I'm still trying to decide what to do....I'm not taking it personal just realizing, unfortunately, it's part of the business.  I think, all in all, if you feel your compromising any part of you - professional or personal - maybe it's time to say "no".
8:34pm • #13

Leslie - I'm not sure I know the answer to the question about why I took the listing.  At the time, it seemed like it was a good idea not to go with my gut reaction.  He was extremely satisfied with me on the purchase of his other home and I thought he would be a good referral source.

Mary - what a great comment!!  I wish I could actually say that to some clients.

Joddie - Sometimes, it is hard for me not to take things personally.  Thank you for reminding me that if I feel that I am compromising part of myself, walk away!!

10:08pm • #14
JUL
05
2007
1,072,306 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp
Karen, you know what you have to do....this is just going to drain your resources and take this as a learning experience.  We all have them in our careers...just don't do this again!  This seller is not helping you sell because he believes in his heart he can get more.  He also may be a bit of an ego-maniac where nobody is as smart as he is.  I would not continue the listing.  I would use my efforts to find listings I can sell.  Someone mentioned a referral....yes, great idea but not to someone you like!  If they get lucky you get paid!  Nice post.
2:23pm • #15


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Karen Radzinski

Carlsbad, CA

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