Special offer

How to List and Sell a Home For More Money! The Best Marketing Dollars an Agent Could Ever Spend!

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Boston - Metro

In Case of Extreem EmergencyOrigionally posted at: DistinctiveBostonRealEstate.com

I came across this post today ...

Listing Appointment must have tool..the Reality Hammer.

that got me thinking... What's my "Realty Hammer", my tool of all tools that I and only I have that sets me apart from other agents. And why would this be important to a Seller. Approaching this from the intended result, which is selling a clients home for the most amount of money and in the shortest time, it's really quite simple. My Marketing! And since 80% of marketing is price, it would have to be getting the the seller to list their home with me at or near it's fare market price. So here it goes........

... Well Mr./Mrs, Mr., Ms, Mr./Mr., Mrs/Mrs. (Boston's very diverse okay?) Seller(s), it's perfectly normal and quite honestly I would be surprised if we did not have differences of opinion over pricing your home. You see, I'm not your average agent. Some agents will happily agree to list your home even though its over priced because it will help sell one of their other listings. Or they'll be hammering you to get a price drop every two weeks or so.... So here's what I am prepared to offer.  I’ll reimburse you out of our commission for any independent appraisal that you choose to have done. <I take out a list of "approved appraisers" and continue> Here's a list of three appraisers that I believe to know this area best. I've selected them from the many because they are the only appraisers trusted by certain private lenders for their portfolio loans. So why not choose one today and I'll set the appointment up. All you'll have to do is write a check when they visit. An added benefit is i'll include the report with marketing material here when potential buyers visit so hopefully they'll be more comfortable with your price and know ahead of time that they are not over paying. . . .

Yes I know, there are likely many agents thinking why would I give up any part of my commission? Well this approach clearly may not be for you. Fortunate for some, there are plenty of agents who continue to wow sellers with promises of $$$ in the sky, accept that expired's are par for the course, and yet watch another agent (smarter, sharper or not) come in, demonstrate that the prior listing was overpriced, get the price needed, sell the home in short order and smile all the way to the bank with YOUR payday.  So stop advertising yet another overpriced home, we know who you are.

If you are a seller, consider this. You can never really under price your home, only over price it. Buyers just won't allow it!  Market priced homes attract more interest and often multiple offers, and some pretty aggressive buyers. I say this from my own experience as a buyer, and as a Seller's agent. So if you're in the Greater Boston area and you like my ideas, please Call me today; expect to have some fun and the results you desire. If your not in my market area, I would be happy to refer you to a great agent in your area.

Dick & Sandy Beals
Wilmington Real Estate 4U Wilmington, NC - Wilmington, NC

Hi Bart,

We have used this technique many times....works great!  If the seller still resists our price, we refer the listing out.

Dick Beals

Dec 22, 2011 12:14 PM
Francine Viola
Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty, Olympia WA - Olympia, WA
REALTORĀ®, In Tune with your Real Estate Needs

You are so right about how a seller can never under price a home.  Good point, and good advice.  I'm not sure I would go the appraisal route as buyers are the best appraisers! 

Dec 22, 2011 12:50 PM
Bart Foster
Keller Williams Realty Boston - Metro - Boston, MA
Boston MA Real Estate

Francine, While I agree buyers are the best appraisers, and I like that line, its not uncommon for a seller to be 10-15% off the mark, and here in the Boston that can be upwards of $100K or more. When I was be informed I might loose the listing when it expired I pulled this out, the sellers agreed, the appraisal came in $90K less than the list price. They were motivated, and relisted it at $80K under the previous price. In 15 days we were under agreement and sold for 98.7% of asking price. On a ~$700K sale, that was the best $370 investment I ever made.

 

Dec 23, 2011 02:16 AM
Francine Viola
Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty, Olympia WA - Olympia, WA
REALTORĀ®, In Tune with your Real Estate Needs

You are absolutely right about sellers being overly optimistic about pricing, and in this case, calling in an appraiser was a great idea.  Another professional opinion is extremely helpful for sellers, and added more credibility for you. Good job on selling it!

Dec 23, 2011 12:56 PM