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Bring Attention to Unique Selling Features in the MLS

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Franklin Homes Realty LLC

Listing agents, please bring attention to unique selling features in the MLS.  I am currently working with 2 different buyers. Both are retirees moving here from out-of-state and, surprisingly, both are woodworkers with lots of very large equipment.  They are looking for a unique property.  A home with either a detached shop or building, a home with an extra large garage (at least, 3 bays) or a home with a garage under the house that extends into an unfinished basement. 

I have searched the MLS but I am not finding any mention of such a space.  What I have been forced to do is pull up anything that has a garage under the house with an unfinished basement and hope that meets our needs.  Unfortunately, most agents don't post pictures of garages or basements.workshop 

My clients don't want to tip our hand to the sellers for fear that they'll overpay for such a space.

Consequently, I can't call the listing agent to confirm if this property meets our needs.  So, we have been forced to drive out to many a house to see if the space can accomodate this very large equipment.  As of yet, we haven't found the ideal place.

Listing agents, please bring attention to unique selling features like extra-large garages, detached workshops or even garages with unfinished basements attached.  These features may just be what some buyers are looking for. 

Be sure you take a picture or two.  In Middle Tennessee, our MLS allows 20 pictures to be posted.  If you have a unique feature like a tandem garage, detached workshop or even a very large basement with garage access, snap a couple of photos.  Who knows?  This unique selling feature may just end in an offer being submitted.

Posted by
Tammie White, Managing Broker/Owner
CLHMS, CRS, GRI, SFR
Franklin Homes Realty LLC
Franklin, TN
(615) 495-0752 
GET REAL. GET LOCAL.
 
This posting with the content written here and photographs displayed are the intellectual property and opinions of Tammie White of Franklin Homes Realty LLC. Any party who uses this material without the written permission of Tammie White is subject to copyright infringement and possible lawsuit.

Comments(46)

Michael Myers
King-Rhodes & Associates - Cherokee Village, AR

I find it interesting that on many listings I see they leave out very important features that make property just like the next one. Make it stand out from the rest.

Sep 13, 2010 01:02 AM
Kathy Kenney
Keller Williams, Princeton, NJ - Robbinsville, NJ
Realtor - Princeton & Central NJ Homes for Sale

I see someone about beat me to it, but I was going to comment that some agents are too busy taking pictures of bathrooms with toilet seats up, and garbage cans in front of the house!  Clearly the agent has not been properly trained on how to market a home!

Sep 13, 2010 01:07 AM
Peggy Noel
RE/MAX Commonwealth - Chesterfield, VA
Bouchard, ABR, CDPE, SFR

Tammie - you echo my frustrations - thank you.  I'm at the point that if I find room dimensions I want to send the listing agent a bottle of champagne and a thank you note!  THANK YOU to everyone who takes the time for the details and shame on you to those who slap it into mls and move on - you do a disservice to your client and your fellow agents!

Sep 13, 2010 01:18 AM
Blatt + Cutino
Coldwell Banker Realty - Monterey, CA
Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*

I agree with Lenn! Going out on tour and previewing property will help to know the inventory better. But you are also right on..listing agents could do a better job with photos--good photos and better descriptions--especially a unique selling feature!

Sep 13, 2010 01:31 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Tammie, I can see where these features should be brought in the listing. Good luck with finding a suitable property. I had to build an out building for my wood shop.

Sep 13, 2010 01:35 AM
Jonathon Steele
Exit Realty Champions - Loganville, GA

Great post!!  I also like to see captions under pictures that paint a picture of the space.

Sep 13, 2010 02:20 AM
Franklin & Brentwood, TN Homes Mike Nastri
Keller Williams Realty - Franklin, TN
It matters to us as much as it matters to you.

Tammie, When we see a listing that posts less than the 20 photos allowed in the MLS it almost scares buyers away.  As if to say , what are they afraid of showing.  As for bringing attention to unique selling features there is an old song, "Accentuate the Positive".  

Sep 13, 2010 03:16 AM
Dee Bundy
Fort Collins Realtor @ C3 Real Estate Solutions - Fort Collins, CO
Helping You Make Colorado "Home"

Tammie - I couldn't agree more. I've had a couple of 'niche' buyers and it has been extremely tough to find the right thing because of the lack of effort put into the listings.  While previewing the properties I could probably list ten things for each home that have not been included in the MLS (items that could have been included apart from the description).  Drives me crazy!

Sep 13, 2010 03:43 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Catherine - I agree.

Steve and Carol - I am surprised at things I see in MLS pictures.  Some recents include a cat on the kitchen counter.  Who wants to buy a house where they know the cat has walked all over the kitchen counters?  My favorite was a picture of a man sitting at the kitchen table smoking a cigarette.  Are you kidding?  Let's advertise that this is a smoking house so no one comes to see it.  I'm beginning to think that some of these listings agents are missing a few brain cells.

Sue - I guess, we have to lead by example.

Cheryl - I suggested that.  Unfortunately, some areas restrict building any thing other than a small storage shed.  Not to mention, my buyer doesn't want to go to the expense.

Coral - True.

Sally and David - Our MLS, also, has lots of that info.  However, not all agents are including that info.  For example, buyers are always looking for fenced in yards for pets.  It's rarely mentioned on the MLS even though there is a place for it.

Alan - My dad was a car collector and had such a property.  When my mom gets ready to sell, I will make sure that this info is front and center.

Michael - Isn't that unfortunate?

Katherine - Great minds think alike.

Peggy - I recently spoke to a woman about listing her home.  She had a bad experience with a previous agent.  She said they had decided to wait.  So yesterday it comes back on the market with one picture posted, the exterior.  Nice choice for your listing agent. NOT!!

Angelica - I probably preview more than most.  However, one property was an hour and 15 minutes away.  I'm not going to drive that far out to just preview it.

Michael - Unfortunately, I don't think that is going to work for either of these buyers.

Jonathan - Captions are very helpful to buyers.

Mike - I never get this.  Why not take full advantage of the 20 pictures.  The more buyers see, the more likely they'll want to see the property.

 

Sep 13, 2010 03:54 AM
Craig Frazer
Farmington, UT
Real Estate, RE/MAX Metro, Davis & Salt Lake County

Not to disagree with the overall comments provided, but isn't it just possible the type of property you are looking for doesn't currently exist in your market at the price point you've targeted?  How many of the "right" properties have you come across that would be a fit for your buyers regardless of whether it was depicted on the MLS or not?  I know I have been looking for a particular type of property for a buyer and we have seen everything in her price range and it doesn't exist.  However, at a 25% higher price point there are a couple options available.  Sometimes, the property our buyers are looking for just isn't on the market at that time.  Just a thought.

Sep 13, 2010 04:09 AM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Good post w/ good tips! Thanks for getting this out to us today.

Patricia

Sep 13, 2010 05:32 AM
Ann Nguyen
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Truckee, CA
Lake Tahoe Truckee Homes For Sale

Tammie...great idea. I have one such property right now & I did put oversize garage in the MLS but will go back & put in more details. Our MLS only allows 9 pictures...wish we have 20 pics like yours.

Sep 13, 2010 06:40 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Danielle - That is one of the advantages of working with buyers and sellers.  You get a feel for what a buyer is looking for and make sure that you've included that information on your listings.

Craig - In some cases this may be true and you just have to wait until either something comes on the market or you move to a different price point.

Patricia - Your welcome.

Ann - How do you do it with 9 pictures?  Take advantage of posting your listings here so you can get more pictures out there.  Also, you may consider putting your listing on Realbird.  They allow 40 pics.  A great way to market your listings.

Sep 13, 2010 11:15 AM
Stephen Sainte-Martin
Realty Direct Boston - Boston, MA

Tammie:

 

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing. loved the content.

Stephen

Sep 13, 2010 11:46 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Stephen - Thanks for visiting.

Sep 13, 2010 02:55 PM
Anonymous
Kayla walter

Good discussion is continue over here, i m agree with Mary Macy....

Fl homes for sale

Sep 15, 2010 12:08 AM
#42
Debbie Cook
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring and Takoma Park Maryland Real Estate

Listing agents want to leave out a unique, unusual feature because THEY may think it's a drawback, when really it may be the one thing that some buyer really wants.

Oct 01, 2012 12:38 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Debbie - I have even found tandem garages that weren't called out in the MLS. These are rare and provide valuable space. Agents shouldn't over look a hidden gem.

Oct 01, 2012 03:09 AM
Wayne B. Pruner
Oregon First - Tigard, OR
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

This is good advice. I just picked up a listing with a large woorshop. I have identified that feature in the MLS and I plan on getting a sign rider made.

Oct 02, 2012 12:01 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Wayne - Great idea. Make sure you include photos as well.

Oct 02, 2012 02:43 AM