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Shhhhhhh, you FSBO!

By
Real Estate Agent with Amerivest Realty

My newest video, "For Sale By Owner - "The Pitfalls" touches on just a few risks sellers take when attempting to sell their home without a Realtor.

I could go on all day about the danger of inviting strangers into your home - showing them all around - and hoping they're a legitimate, qualified buyer. (FYI...Realtors make every attempt to only work with legitimate, qualified buyers.)

If you were going to sell your house yourself - how would arrive at your price? Would you fork over the money for an appraisal? Would you pretend you were going to list with a Realtor to get their price opinion? Would you base your asking price on what the neighbor sold his house for a few years ago??? Or, eek.... would you add the costs of all of your improvements to the price you paid for the house, tack on a little extra for appreciation and call it a day?

In this video, I really wanted to hammer the point of sellers talking too much. I'm not even suggesting that as a seller you need to be a good listener - but I am advising that you hold your tongue.

I've seen it time and time again when showing FSBO homes. The seller shows us around - tells us how eager they are to sell, makes excuses for broken items or things that need to be replaced, and then identifies all the framed faces throughout the house. They tell you all about the great updates they always meant to do (thinking they're helping the buyer see the endless potential). They make promises to fix things. They intimidate buyers. (Who would be comfortable opening closet doors with the seller standing RIGHT THERE?)

(A lot of this goes for sellers who [even if they're listed with an agent] insist on being present for showings.) I know sometimes circumstances make it very difficult for a seller to leave the house - that's understandable. But when possible - even a seller that must be at home - should make every attempt to let the Realtor show the buyer around - and not hover over them.

I've sold several homes listed FSBO - to buyers that I was working with. In every case - my buyers have gotten a GREAT deal:)

So... without further ado.... enjoy my latest video. I know I've done some crazy stuff to date - but this is probably the silliest. Informative and entertaining - that's my goal...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdqrrN2FpkA

 

Comments (9)

Donne Knudsen
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services

Tara - Ok, I just left a message suggesting that reformat your post and as soon as I posted my comment, your post changed.  I guess you were in the process of changing it when I left my comment.

Apr 11, 2011 05:05 PM
Tara Winfield
Amerivest Realty - Naples, FL

It took me a few tries to properly embed my video:) 

Apr 11, 2011 05:11 PM
Anonymous
Troy Roark

Tara - You're hilarious.  You're videos are very well done.  I do videos for my area also.  I hope you'll take a look.  http://SpringfieldILHomesForSale.com .   We should do a guest video for each other sometime.  I think it might be fun.  Question:  Will you be at the IAR Spring Conference?  If so, we'll have to meet.

Apr 11, 2011 05:12 PM
#4
Mike Mayer
Mike Mayer, Broker/Owner - i List For Less Realty, LLC - Lafayette, LA

I'm confused why, as a profession, we tend to stereotype FSBO's. Consumers are considerably more savvy than we give them credit for. It's almost as if we're bitter that homeowners have a right to sell their home without professional guidance and assistance. While I agree it's not always prudent, it is possible.

Apr 11, 2011 05:26 PM
Samantha Davault
Alexander Chandler Realty - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth, TX

Great video.  You were very funny playing all of those roles.

Apr 11, 2011 05:47 PM
Roger Radcliff
FREEDOM REALTY - Barksdale AFB, LA
AFB Specialist - Barksdale

Mike you would be confused, your a FSBO Real Estate Agent. Tara is right pointing out the pitfalls of FSBO.  The difference between a REALTOR and a part time Real Estate Agent.

Apr 11, 2011 05:47 PM
Tim Lorenz
TIM LORENZ - Elite Home Sales Team - Mission Viejo, CA
949 874-2247

LOL loved the video and the actors are great.  Do you hand that out to FSBO's.  Just kidding.

Apr 11, 2011 06:34 PM
Thomas Sweeney
Tom Sweeney Real Estate, Owner/Broker, Bossier City, LA - Bossier City, LA
GRI

Tara, (like the harp that hung in Tara's Halls) :-)...    You're gifted and beautiful. I am so impressed with you.

Apr 13, 2011 11:05 AM
Dawn A Fabiszak
Private Label Realty ( Denver metro area, Colorado - Aurora, CO
The Dawn of a New Real Estate Experience!

Tara ~ Thomas (above) re-blogged your post and I had to come to the original to make a comment.  I loved your video!  FSBOs are like that, maybe not as dramatic, but in making a video, you have to embellish to get the point across.  Great job!

Apr 30, 2011 04:56 AM