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Every Seller Needs to Hear Something Positive About their Home

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Executive Realty, Al and Cal Realty Group S-96414

 

Every Seller Needs to Hear Something Positive About their Home

How many times do you look at a home with your professional eye and think, "Oh, this driveway is going to be a problem", or, "what the heck were they thinking with this color?".    

What do we do then?   We sit down with the Seller and recommend improvements that will help them sell the home quickly.    We may recommend a professional stager, or we gently let them know that a color is just not neutral enough, or the electrical is way out of date.    Whatever it is, we look to the negatives.   Rightly so.   We are just  priming ourselves for the objections that we know from experience will come.   We try to address them prior to hitting the market.   

We all have that "eye".    We are thinking ahead.  What do we need to do to get this home sold for these folks?  We definately see the positive attributes and make mental note of them.houses

But, what we might forget to do, is to be vocal about the positive characteristics of the home.   For a Seller to hire you, they have to know that you like their home.    Hell.    I maybe over weight, but I do have kick butt eyes!    The same is true with homes.   There are negatives AND, there are always positives.    We just don't focus on them because we don't need to!    

I feel thought, that it is imperative to mention the postive.     Doesn't matter if you are a Buyer or an Agent.    The Seller wants to know that you like their home!      It is really important to most people!   

Pride of ownership is a trait that most of us possess.    Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and we often don't see eye to eye.    As agents we can be unkind and not thinking when it comes to expressing aloud some thoughts.   

Remember to mention the positive qualites of the home.   They all have some!  Even though you need to pay attention and downplay the objections that you know will come, don't just voice the negative.

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About the author

Carol-Ann PalmieriCarol-Ann Palmieri, a full time Real Estate professional in Massachusetts for the past 24 years along with Al Mussi have helped hundreds of families find, sell or purchase new places to live.

A former US Marine, she grew up in Walpole, MA...  is committed to the serving the community through various volunteer opportunities.   She attended MA Bay Community and Suffolk University and is committed to constantly updating her Real Estate education. 

Licensed in MA and RI...

Al and Cal's primary areas of service Franklin, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville, Blackstone, Walpole, Milford, Holliston, Hopkinton, Mansfield, and Foxboro, North Attleboro, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville but have resourses to help anyone, anywhere....

Her mission....  To exceed your expectations!

Peggy Wester
Realty Executives Integrity - Grafton, WI
Real Estate Agent Ozaukee & Washington County

This is so true, Carol. I've actually seen seller who look like the air has been sucked out of them when I tell make suggestions for improving their home. That just serves as a reminder to make sure they also hear me talk to them about the positive features.

Aug 04, 2012 05:59 AM
Carol-Ann Palmieri
RE/MAX Executive Realty, Al and Cal Realty Group - Franklin, MA
"Cal" the Real Estate Gal

Hi Tamara.    Exactly!!    Thanks.

 

Hi Cheryl.   Those Grandma's were right pretty much most of the time, weren't they?

 

 

Hi Sally and David.    That's the goal and if everyone feels good even better!

 

Hi John.   Thanks for being "that" kind of home inspector!

 

 

Hi Mona.   Never thought about that, but you are right!

 

Hi Edward.     I agree.   Sometimes we can get ahead of ourselves.

 

Thank you all for reading and weighing in.   Appreciate reading your comments.

 

 

 

 

Aug 04, 2012 07:49 AM
Carol-Ann Palmieri
RE/MAX Executive Realty, Al and Cal Realty Group - Franklin, MA
"Cal" the Real Estate Gal

Hi Barbara.    Thank you.   Got a listing because the other guy forgot this.  :)))

 

Hi Ginny.   As with everything in life!

 

 

Hi Nancy.  Most times it takes nothing to be kind.  

 

Hi Doug.   That is a good plan.

 

Hi Peggy H.   I love those old sayings.

 

Hi Peggy W.     I know.  It can be really hard to hear things about your home.

 

I enjoyed reading your responses.   Thanks all for taking the time to read and comment. 

 

Hi

 

 

 

Aug 04, 2012 07:55 AM
Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

I agree that this is an important aspect of the staging process too! When I present my written reports to my clients, I make sure that before a single recommendation in any room is made, that I have given some positive feedback of the space. 

Aug 04, 2012 10:19 AM
Travis "the SOLD man" Parker; Broker/Owner
Travis Realty - Enterprise, AL
email: Travis@theSOLDman.me / cell: 334-494-7846

Good advice!!! I do TRY to balance the positves and the negatives, but I may.....PROBABLY get carried away with the negatives. Need to watch myself.

Aug 04, 2012 11:31 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Not only do we need to find the positive for the seller, we are going to need to find it for the buyer.

Aug 04, 2012 01:35 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

You are very correct Carol Ann, being positive is always best whether you are signing up a listing or negotiating a sale, everyone would rather work with someone who knows when and where a compliment is needed.

Aug 04, 2012 04:43 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Carol-Ann, I agree with you and always find something positive to share with the homeowner.  All homes have positive qualities!

Aug 04, 2012 07:36 PM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Carol Ann, it depends on whether they are willing to price it right.  If not every positive is a $$$ in their minds.

Aug 04, 2012 10:47 PM
First Last name
Keller Williams Preffered - Raleigh, NC

Super Great advice! I couldn't agree more.  I totally love a positive attitude and its very refreshing.

Thanks so much for sharing!

 

Aug 04, 2012 10:49 PM
Ron Aguilar
Gateway Mortgage Group - Saint George, UT
Mortgage & Real Estate Advisor since 1995

Carol, excellent post. As a mortage lender, often I go to their home for an application. And the idea of possibly selling down the road comes up. I can tell them the areas of concern to gain a better sales price, but I am careful of my opinion.

Aug 05, 2012 01:24 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Carol Ann: Every new agent should read this post..or they will find out the hard way...that if you act too negative about a home, the sellers will take it personally and move on to another agent who is more diplomatic in their critisism.  I totally agree with you!  I  find it helpful to show sellers other homes on the market (photos or tour) that are updated and immaculate--and explain, this is your competition!

I also feel it's important when leaving feedback on a showing to try and say something positive.

Aug 05, 2012 01:37 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Good reminder. I wonder how many times in a presentation I forget?

Aug 05, 2012 01:46 AM
Al Raymondi
Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL
Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

Excellent post Cal, every seller does need to be complimented about the good features of their home.

Aug 05, 2012 08:28 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Hey, Cal!  I included this post in Last Week's Favorites.  Have a great week!

Aug 12, 2012 02:43 AM
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

Carol-Ann: This is a really good point. Sellers like to know that you believe in their house, that it will sell.

Aug 12, 2012 03:23 AM
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

It's like with any criticism. If you offer all the positives first, the negatives don't sound so harsh. Then focus on the positive. Good attitude to have!

Gretchen

Aug 12, 2012 12:50 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Carol Ann, I do try to see all that is positive, and am sensitive to their feelings, after all it is their home. But then it comes time to tell them what might be an issue and that too needs to be handled with care

Aug 12, 2012 10:38 PM
Beth and Richard Witt
New York, NY
The best Retired Brokers !!!!

Good Advice Carol Ann... Sellers do want to know if we like their home...

 

Aug 14, 2012 02:25 AM
Tim Lorenz
TIM LORENZ - Elite Home Sales Team - Mission Viejo, CA
949 874-2247

Carol Ann

I agree good advice.  Have a very Merry Christmas.

Dec 22, 2012 12:54 AM