ugly houseI've been selling real estate for a little over two years now.  Far from being a veteran, but not quite a rookie either.  I learn new things it seems like everyday.  Well one of the hardest things for me to learn is that my tastes don't necessarily reflect those of my clients.

About a month ago I was working with a couple who were friends of mine.  A house came on the market that was a little out in the country.  From the MLS listing, the house looked pretty nice.  It had great square footage and the picture showed that the house had great curb appeal.  Now I did know that it was a forclosed property, so I figured it needed a little work.  Nevertheless, we made an appointment and went to see it.  Well how can I put this delicately?  The house absolutely awful and the surrounding area was even worse.  My clients didn't like it and for their sake, I was happy.

Fast forward to yesterday.  While working our service desk, I receive a call from a woman that wants to go see a house.  She gives me the MLS number and low and behold, it's the house I looked at last month.  My first question is "Have you driven by this house?"  She replies "Yes, we know it's a little rough, but we're not worried about it."  So she is OK with the area, but we still need to overcome the house itself.

We make an appointment to see it this morning and I have to tell you that I'm not optimistic.  After all I've seen the inside of this house and couldn't imagine anyone wanting to buy it in the condition it is in.  I warn them that the house is very rough and not to expect too much before opening the door.  We walk in and from the get go she is in love with the house.  Needless to say, I am in total shock.  We are meeting tomorrow as soon as they get off work to submit an offer.

Your Best Move for Southern Indiana Real Estate

Brett Mumaw REALTOR®

Semonin Realtors

3707 Charletown Rd. Suite 1A

New Albany, IN 47150

(812) 542-9057 Office

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Post is included in group: Kentuckiana Real Estate

40 Comments on You May Think You Know, But You Have No Idea

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JAN
08
2007
1,314,033 Points 97 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I'm in my 7th year and it's still hard to figure out why some people choose the house they choose.  I'll walk in cringing, and they're walking around with a big smile on their face.  Go figure!
9:02am • #21
201,517 Points 12 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp
I always like to keep my comments to "interesting" until I have figured out if they like it or not.  I remember one time walking into a house and saying how awful the wallpaper is...they absolutely loved it... YIKES!!!  Too each his own!
9:09am • #22
2 Featured Posts
We tell our sellers "There is a house for everybody and you only need one buyer!"
9:22am • #23
1,596,197 Points 437 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
You just never know what buyers might think, especially if you don't yet know what they really like. Good think you saw the house first. It probably helped you to not saw much but to also keep your body language from reflecting your inner thoughts - sometimes that can be even more problematic than what you saw. I have had similar experiences.
9:43am • #24
1,314,033 Points 97 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You made me finally post a blog that I had written about a week ago,  but had never posted.  It's along this same theme:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/32840/House-Hunters-Hidden-Potential
9:54am • #25
324,771 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Brett - ALWAYS be optimistic - otherwise - why bother to spend your time at all if you are thinking "it's not going to happen"?!  Hope it works out!
10:21am • #26
206,810 Points 6 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp
Brett- I am in the same point of my career as you.  I feel like I learn something new everyday.  And my tastes usually do not equal my clients either.  So I remain neutral and just point out the facts of a house.  Congrats on making an offer on that house! 
2:13pm • #27
625,403 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
We've "opened mouth-inserted foot" on a few occasions.  We've shown some homes we thought were beautiful but our clients ended up hating.  And of course the complete opposite has happened as well.  We've learned that our job is to show, not to interject opinions.  Glad that this one has turned into a deal for you! 
2:14pm • #28
1,979,964 Points 484 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

One of the best lessons agents learn with experience is that, what we think of a property has absolutely no value in the business of selling real estate. 

Listen, listen, listen and you'll sell a lot of real estate.

Lenn
3:30pm • #29
7 Featured Posts

Brett-  I have learned to not say too much....I let the Buyer talk and if they want my opinion then I will answer questions....I'm a clean freak and have a sensitivity to odors & bugs ....and I have to understand that my tastes and standards are usually very different from some of the folks I have worked with.  I won't spend a lot of time in a house that has heavy cigarette odors.  Needless to say, I've gotten grossed out a few times.

Great Post !!
3:46pm • #30

Hello Brett,

Lesson learned... I know I ran into a similar situation only to find out that the person buying is handy with home repair.  I have met several people who love buying old beat up homes only to fix them up and sell them.  Some of these people fix them up and make it their home.  Personally, I'm not much of a handy man and would rather buy a new home, but that's me.

Thanks for sharing that story, everyone can gain from it.

Take care!!!

Phillip Lanier

Active Rain Group, Brevard
4:04pm • #31
Bret you never know folks tatste , what's a dump for someone is a great project for another !
6:27pm • #32
7 Featured Posts

Thanks everybody for some great comments.  Chris, I love the "interesting" comment.  Not too much on either side of the fence.  Kevin & Sherry, that is a great saying for our sellers.  Suzanne, that is one of my main things to change this year, MY ATTITUDE!  Lenn, what did you say?  LOL!

Well they came in this evening and we wrote an offer and you will never believe what happened.  We are in a multiple offer situation.  LOL!  That means there are TWO people that like this house.  We wrote a very strong offer so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks again everyone!

9:55pm • #33
131,216 Points 24 Featured Posts

Brett,

There is an old saying about a cover for every pot.. and a house for every buyer..

 
10:45pm • #34
The first house I bought wasn't much better than your picture. Sometimes it's just what you can afford. Anything can be fixed up, if you want to rebuild it. I did end up rebuilding our house and doing the majority of the work myself. I saved tens of thousands of dollars, and ended up selling it for twice what we paid, just 3 years later. I can understand why flipping houses is such a big deal now a days.
11:31pm • #35
JAN
09
2007
155,805 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
Brett-Is that really the house?  Ouch!  I make sure I dont say anything about a home until I hear what my buyers think of it.  That would be very embarrasing to express my own feelings only to find out that their feelings were totally opposite.  Afterall, they are the ones buying the house.
12:54am • #36
JAN
10
2007
4 Featured Posts
"You never know until you try" is a great motto to have.  I've had many clients that liked something that I would never buy myself.  "You never know...."
4:28am • #37
7 Featured Posts
David & Tonya, no the picture isn't the actual house.  I sometimes tell them that it doesn't matter what I think of the house, because I'm not going to live there.
9:42pm • #38
JAN
20
2007
299,132 Points 49 Featured Posts Outside Blog

A little late but someone just sent me over to your post.  I enjoyed reading it.  Learned from it too.  I can be chatty at times and I see Ines' point.  I would have been the offending party making the comment too soon.  I'll be more reserved from now on.  Promise.  =)

I hope you're in escrow now?
7:01am • #39
7 Featured Posts

Thanks for the comment Maggie.

Just a quick update.  As I said above, there were multiple offers on this property and it didn't work out.  They did however find another home and we are in escrow now.  The 2nd home is in MUCH better condition.
7:52am • #40

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