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Agent Speak? Or Lies

By
Real Estate Agent with Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 BRE# 01494165

I read a great featured post today by Lori Liveston called Lies, Lies, Lies..... and it really hit home. Why do agents just blatantly try and mislead the buyers...it's not going to work! Do they really think the buyer won't notice that the carpet smells of dog urine and the pool is green?

I know the goal is to lure the buyer through the front door, but then you had better have a beautiful property waiting. I've seen very low prices used to attract attention, and then the bidding war begins. That makes sense....but pretending that the home is beautiful when it's horrible? What exactly is that doing for your client?

Here is an accurate listing description I'd love to see sometime:

 

Dilapidated House For Sale At Premium Price

Wonderful fixer to take up savings and weekends. Outdated plumbing and electrical, needs heater. A/C was replaced 40 years ago for minimum efficiency. Hardwood floors with mold inlays. Designer paint from the 60s. Formica countertops in kitchen in gold and brown. Separate garage has a caved in roof just waiting for your hammer. No View, No Association Pool or Spa. Price is High, but you'll get hours of satisfaction bringing this home back to habitable condition.

 

Comments(10)

Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Many agents tend to forget that the Code of Ethics and most state laws require the agent to treat EVERYONE  honestly.

Aug 24, 2010 06:35 AM
Deborah Byron Leffler BzyBee Real Estate Lady!
Keller Williams Realty Boise - Nampa, ID

Ok so I am Laughing out Loud because it is so true...but really it is sickening how many paint a much prettier picture than it really is!  Yikes!!!   Buyers are so much savvier these days that you can't pull that over their eyes...most know the market at least as well as me...and in some areas better!   they are searching online for listings daily....
My other gripe is when agents lie to their sellers in order to get the listing!  

Aug 24, 2010 06:49 AM
Deborah Byron Leffler BzyBee Real Estate Lady!
Keller Williams Realty Boise - Nampa, ID

Ok so I am Laughing out Loud because it is so true...but really it is sickening how many paint a much prettier picture than it really is!  Yikes!!!   Buyers are so much savvier these days that you can't pull that over their eyes...most know the market at least as well as me...and in some areas better!   they are searching online for listings daily....
My other gripe is when agents lie to their sellers in order to get the listing!  

Aug 24, 2010 06:50 AM
Eric Castongia
Zephyr Real Estate - San Francisco, CA

My other laugh for today.  Thank you!

Aug 24, 2010 06:57 AM
Leslie Ebersole
Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL
I help brokers build businesses they love.

Karen: don't you wish you could flag a house with an mls rules violation for puffery? Funny!

Aug 24, 2010 07:11 AM
Donne Knudsen
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services

Karen - The problem with that listing (at least around here) is that it would sound like so many other properties on the MLS.

Aug 24, 2010 07:20 AM
Deborah "Dee Dee" Garvin
C2 Financial - San Diego, CA
C2 Financial

Karen,  I love it!  Thanks for bringing a smile to my day!

Aug 24, 2010 08:33 AM
Shelley Rowton
Move To Realty - Austin, TX
ABR, RSPS - (512) 507-5779 MoveToRealty of Austin

Too funny, Karen!  I can think of several houses in my market that could cut and paste that description right into their MLS remarks!

Aug 24, 2010 08:48 AM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Sometimes this type of misrepresentation could be construed as feigning... It needs to stop.  Like your renewed article.

Aug 24, 2010 08:54 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Hi guys....just in a funny mood today...but isn't it so true?

Aug 24, 2010 09:57 AM