Special offer

What Will It Take...?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty

To get agents to come through this property?  Here is a house that is in a very desirable area, priced very well (under comps), in pristine condition and located within walking distance to a top rated elementary school and high school.  The dilemma?  It is located close to a freeway wall and, yes, you can hear freeway noise.   But here is the problem I am having... agents are not coming to preview it to determine if the noise is loud, moderate, barely audible, etc.  My feeling is buyers are looking at Google maps, or the like, and determining without even seeing, or hearing, the house if it would work for them because of the freeway proximity they see in the aerial maps.  But shouldn't agents be previewing homes like this and explaining to their buyers that they really need to take a look at it and all it has to offer?  Or at least come look at it to compare it against a house the buyer may really like better?  My gut is that agents are getting lazy and allowing their buyers to do all their previewing via the Internet.  Agents are not taking the time to get out and look at homes and ask themselves, "Who do I know that this house would be perfect for?" Other than the 2 Broker Tours we've had, in 34 days we have had 7 agents show the house.  Of those, only 2 came to preview it for their clients.

If you have any ideas on how to increase agent traffic through this property, please let me know.  I am including the Realtor.com link so you can see the house, location, etc. 

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/186-Circle-Dr_Walnut-Creek_CA_94595_1116725818

And by the way, I am a licensed agent so I am including myself in the above comments.  Oh, and another thing, the home I am talking about is my personal residence.  A co-worker is listing as a favor and this is in no way a reflection on her.  But I have learned SO much being on the other side of things through this process.  I hope to continue my blogs of what I have experienced, the emotions, the process, etc.  I have a whole new appreciation for my sellers!

  

Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

I don't know a lot of agents who take the time anymore to preview homes for their customer's maybe this is what it will take just going to the home. Do you have double-pane windows if you do state this it will help eliminate the noise.

Apr 20, 2010 08:41 AM
Drick Ward Property Management / Broker Assoc
NEPTUNE REALTY - Virginia Beach, VA
"RealtorDrick" - Experienced Representation

Assuming it is quiet (or reasonably quiet) in spite of the location near a freeway, perhaps a video with audio on YouTube and link to that from all your listing promotional materials/sites.  That way, it encourages prospective buyers to see for themselves.  If it's a short video (less than 60 seconds) it will likely get more hits and if you can have a waterfall or bird chirping in the background, it may go a long ways toward conveying tranquility which implies quiet.

Apr 20, 2010 08:43 AM