The Realtor's Spouse

By Gary Worsham

Real Estate Agent with Gilchrist and Company

January 20, 2008 09:40 AM

My wife, having lived with a realtor for 12 years, has come up with the 6 top things that people do to sabotage the sale of their own home:

List it for a ridiculously high price.
Refuse to consider lowering the asking price after weeks of no offers or even showings.
Assume that buyers feel the same emotional connection that they have with their home.
Hang around during a showing.
Believe the neighborhood gossip about how much the so-and-so's down the block got for their home.
Leave dust, smudge marks, clutter while the home is on the market.

What have some of you (or your spouses) noticed along these lines?

Gary Worsham, Keller Williams Realty - Dallas, Texas

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Dan Gobis

Re/Max Newport Realty Corp. - Racine, WI

#7. They didn't list with my significant other.

Jan 20, 2008 09:52 AM

Jamie R. Bell

Bell Realty Group at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NEP - Glastonbury, CT

Your Central CT Realtor

Very good points but lets not forget these:

1. leaving every family photo since the kids were 5, and they are now grown and have their own home, throughout the home.

2. Blind to the fact that a little staging, fresh paint & decluttering will make a huge difference.

The sad thing is that we could go on and on with seller problems.

Jan 20, 2008 10:02 AM

Endea Thibodeaux

Lanham, MD

Solar Energy Consultant, CDPE, CLHMS

Are not accommodating when it comes to being able to show it!

Jan 20, 2008 10:18 AM

Tracey Wood -ReFeathering: Staging and Design

ReFeathering LLC - Eagle River, AK

Leaving pets (especially large dogs) in the house, or chained up and barking outside.

Failing to notice and do something about odors such as pet, cooking, mildew.

Failing to present the best features of each room.

Jan 20, 2008 10:39 AM

JL Boney, III

Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC

Columbia, SC Real Estate

Let the front yard get to the point that it is a small safari to make it to the front door. I mean curb appeal is really overrated.

Jan 20, 2008 10:44 AM