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The Ideal Client

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers

A Client that Does Everything Right and Values My Opinion Gets an A+ From Me. 

I recently had an A+ Client.  I have to admit, at first meeting I was a bit skeptical.  I had the impression from phone conversations that it actually may be a difficult scenario.  I was so wrong.  This client was absolutely terrific.  Not only was this family nice and pleasant to work with, but they valued my professional opinion, clearly understood that my cost to them was valuable and carefully listened to everything I had to say.  I think so many REALTORS® nationwide are working with a lot of selling clients that want to over-price their homes, shop for the cheapest commission regardless of the service and question & reject all aspects of the selling process - that this transaction was a welcome and refreshing change.  With that said, I am fortunate to have many great transactions - but this one was fabulous. 

Here are just some of the things that were so great about these folks. 

  • Listing Appointment
    When I was first asked to come over for the initial listing appointment, originally only the wife was going to be available.  I explained how important it can be for both to be present and wouldn't you know, they agreed.  So I met with both.  Of course this isn't always possible, but in this case it was not difficult to make that happen.

  • Preparing the Home for Sale
    This is one area where I was a bit worried.  This house initially, lets just say it was a tiny bit cluttered.  Overall, great shape - just a ton of stuff.  Too much furniture, too much of just about everything.  I went through the home with them and went over everything I thought would make their home most presentable for sale.  You never quite know how someone is going to take this information, but let's face it - this is part of my service.  If you want to sell your home, you need to know.  I was so pleasantly surprised to see their heads nodding up and down in agreement and again, a welcomed "Thank You Steve for being so honest."  That followed with a storage unit being rented and used (to its capacity), a huge garage sale and charity donations. 

    When the home went on the market, it looked fantastic.  Not only was their home ultra-presentable - they later thanked me for encouraging them to purge - their realized their was a lot of stuff they didn't need to move, ultimately saving them money.  They also made all of the minor cosmetic improvements that I suggested.  Some painting, touch-ups, floor work, etc. Nothing too major at all. 
  • Price of Commission
    Of course we aren't going to talk numbers here.  But let's just say my area is riddled with everyone and their brother trying to get listings for next to nothing.  I wasn't really worried here - of course my commission is always negotiable but I can't feed my children for free, the grocery store wants money as does the bank that holds my own mortgage.  So there is only so far I can and will go before saying No Thanks, which does happen sometimes.  I generally get a good handful of those listings later once the discounter hasn't sold it - but that's another blog.  Anyway, again, they saw the value of what they were paying for and understood clearly everything I brought to the table - and appreciated it.

  • Price of Home
    Here's the biggie.  Again, this area where the listing was has its fair share of overpriced listings.  And it has become apparent by talking to many people, that a lot of residents just think their homes are worth more than they really are.  The bottom line is, price is key.  If you want to sell your home you need to listen to your agent and make sure they are being honest with you.  If you are being told by someone your home is worth more than you think it might, don't just smile and sign away - investigate.  Any agent that leads you on is only trying to buy your business.  Its going to go down hill from there.  As for my clients, at first they thought their price may be about $20K more than it actually should have been.  But I showed them the data, the numbers, the real deal.  I know Highlands Ranch real estate and I will never skew the numbers to make someone believe a higher price than reality.  My clients listened to my professional opinion and priced their home correctly. 

    After the home was Under Contract and close to closing - the client told me that a neighbor of her's stopped by.  Her house was on the market and had been for over 2 1/2 months.  She wanted to know what the home sold for.  She then went on & on about how their (my client's) house was priced too low and "her agent" said it was too low and they could have gotten more.  My client said to me that she actually felt bad for this woman because it was obvious she truly believed her over-priced home was going to sell at that high price.  The last time I checked, that home was still on the market over-priced for about 5 months and still sat, not sold. 

  • Showings
    Again, I told them what to do.  Accept as many showings as you can.  Do not say no unless you absolutely must.  Make sure the house is pristine condition for showings and when you are leaving for the entire day.  Make sure you leave for all showings.  Etc. Etc.   Again, they happily complied. 
     
  • Negotiating the Contract
    This is an area that I excel in.  I have a pretty good feel on every contract what I can work with and what I can't.  I gave them the information and what I believed we could work with in their best interest.  Of course for the most part they listened to me. There was one area I advised them they weren't going to get the buyer to budge on but they wanted me to try anyway.  I was right, no budge.  They said, "I guess we should of listened to you Steve, you were right."  That's ok.  It was worth a try and it did no harm.  If I thought the area they wanted to try for could have blown the whole deal, of course I would have told them that too.  But all worked out.

The Outcome:
This home went on the market and was Under Contract in 7 days. 
They got the price they wanted (which was exactly what I told them the house was worth) the closing date they needed (they needed to be in a new location by a specific date) and everything else that they had hoped for - an agent that communicated clearly, was honest & professional and represented their best interests from Day 1. They also were able to purchase their new home in their new location without any contingencies very quickly - which was fabulous as they were able to purchase the home that they really wanted.

I also got everything I wanted, a client that valued my service and opinion, trusted that I do know what I am doing and listened and executed my plan precisely as I had told them too.  Not only did they thank me, but I thanked them.  A+. 

It is relatively true that this is a tougher market.  But it doesn't always have to be that way.  There are still a significant number of homes in many areas of metro Denver that do sell very quickly.  If you have a great home, in great shape and it is priced appropriately, and can most likely will still sell quickly.  Many of the homes that are part of the "tougher market" statistics are over-priced and not in showing condition.  If you want to sell your home, you need to listen to your REALTOR®. 

If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Highlands Ranch or any other part of the Denver Metro Area, and are looking for an agent to be honest and professional and represent your best interest at all times, it would be my pleasure for you to contact me.   

 

Additional articles & information about Highlands Ranch, real estate, Douglas County and Colorado:

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Steve Scheer, REALTOR®
Denver Realty Partners

385 Inverness Parkway #140
Englewood CO 80112
720-849-6101

If you would like more information on the Denver area or more information on Highlands Ranch homes for sale or any other of the south Denver suburbs, contact Steve at 720-849-6101or read his Denver Real Estate Blog.

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©2007-2014 Steve Scheer Denver Real Estate and Relocation

Comments (10)

Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Steve--More potential sellers need to read blogs like this to understand it is not just about commission. To sell your home you need to partner with a professional Realtor like yourself and good things happen! :) 
Jul 25, 2007 01:47 AM
Steve Scheer
Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers - Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Denver Real Estate
Teri - Thanks for the compliment.  It is so much easier for all to accomplish great things when everyone is on the same page and ready to move forward and make things happen. 
Jul 25, 2007 02:13 AM
Steve Scheer
Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers - Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Denver Real Estate
Jon - Thanks.  I agree, communication is key. 
Jul 25, 2007 02:15 AM
Joeann Fossland
Advantage Solutions Group - Tucson, AZ
Master Certified Coach to Motivated Agents
Great article Steve. It clearly points out the different areas where your experience and knowledge bring value and benefit to a client. I agree that it is a joy when you have clients like you described. More agents need to walk away from clients that don't appreciate and value them. Life is too short to work with jerks!
Jul 25, 2007 03:14 AM
Steve Scheer
Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers - Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Denver Real Estate
Joeann - Thanks for commenting.  You are right, it is rewarding when the value is recognized but even better, it makes for a great experience for the seller. 
Jul 25, 2007 03:39 AM
Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate
Majestic Properties - Miami Beach, FL

I know I'm supposed to be commenting on how great these customers were....but 7 days on the market!!!  My hat goes off to you, that's amazing!   (but I do love when the client/Realtor relationship works out)

Ines

Jul 25, 2007 04:43 PM
Steve Scheer
Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers - Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Denver Real Estate
I know Ines, I have been very fortunate.  There are buyers here (ready to buy the right house at the right price) and if our sellers listen to us, work together and understand how critical the price is, it can, and does happen. 
Jul 25, 2007 05:11 PM
Desiree Daniels
RE/MAX Tri County - Robbinsville, NJ
Ya gotta love the good ones.... but I guess like everything take the good with the bad ... or the easy with the difficult... it all works out in the end.  Great post
Jul 27, 2007 03:24 AM
Steve Scheer
Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers - Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Denver Real Estate
Desiree - You are right, generally it all works out in the end. 
Jul 27, 2007 12:39 PM