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To list, or not to list...

By
Real Estate Agent with Atlanta Communities 303302

Here is the situation. You need/want to sell your home. You engage a Realtor to look over your home and come up with a fair list price for your home. The price is below what you owe. Apparently you forgot about the second mortgage you took out when things were great to cover the cost of that vacation. Now what do you do?

This situation will come up today. I have a listing appointment this afternoon with a lady who now owes more than the house will sell for or appraise for. She will want to list her home at least $25,000 over the Realtor recommended price.

I will explain to her that with all the competition in the area and the recent foreclosures in the neighborhood, a high list price will do her no good. She will explain to me that she does not have the money to bring to a closing and she really is under no hardship at this time. I will explain that these are the times we are in. She will explain that she still needs to sell her home and I will explain that it will not sell at an inflated price, no matter how nice her home looks. At this point in time I will have to decline the listing of her home.

In these times especially price is everything. We Realtors are not trying to depress the value of your home. We are trying to squeeze every ounce of value out of your home by selling at the absolutely highest price we can, and still sell your home. But with the values of homes all around us low and the inventory high, pricing your home above market will not help you sell your home. I wish it would. The agent that assures you they can sell your home at the higher price you want may either be a genius or just need their sign out in your neighborhood. Either way I wish you the best of luck with your listing.

Hopefully, someday soon, housing prices will start to recover and we will be able to start recommending more agressive pricing. I can't wait for those days to be upon us.

Posted by

Peter den Boer, Associate Broker, Realtor

Atlanta Communities Real estate Brokerage

 

Ph. 770.713.1545

www.denboerhomes.com

 

I write about daily life as a Realtor in the Towne Lake Community in Woodstock Georgia.

Comments(4)

Kwee Huset
Kwee Huset Realty - Venice, FL
Venice Florida Homes For Sale

Hi Peter, alot of seller doesn't  or want to understand, we REALTOR® have to decide to "take it or leave it"  whether they like it or not we have to tell the truth. Wish you good luck.

Apr 12, 2011 01:20 AM
Nor Yeretsian
Envoy Capitol Realty Inc. - Toronto, ON
Envoy Capitol Realty Inc., Brokerage Toronto

Thanks Peter for the frank perspective on this issue and the specific situation you may find yourself.

In my 3 decades of real estate and business experience, I have learnt to never say never.

After all it is the practice of real estate , not the science of it.

Just doing the best I can with what I have been given in challenging times.

cheers

Nor

Apr 12, 2011 01:22 AM
Lois Davies
Century 21 Birchwood Realty, Inc. - Cape Coral, FL
Cape Coral & SW Florida

Hi Peter...You were honest with her and explaining the way the market is today, not 3 years ago or 3 years in the future.  If she is in no hardship to sell her home than why is she pushing so hard and not respecting your professional opinion?  I am sure we have all had to walk away from a listing or two; better to walk away than taking on unrealistic expectations.  Good Luck.

Apr 12, 2011 02:06 AM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

This is not an unusually occurrence.  I come across the same situation when they want to refinance and cover the closing costs.

Apr 13, 2011 02:09 PM