This is NOT a Drive By! How many times have you told your clients to drive-by a listing to see if they like the neighborhood? Only to find that the home falls short of expectation because it's plagued with deferred maintenance and a host of other issues.
Recently, one of my clients (who lives out of the area) asked me to check out an REO home they saw on the MLS. It was late in the day, raining, and just about dark when I arrived at the home. I didn't want to go inside a dark vacant house alone, so I decided to walk the perimeter of the property to check things out.
By all appearances, the MLS pics looked great, the price was right, and the neighborhood was coveted. So far, the home looked like a shiny red candied apple ready to be eaten. But... upon closer inspection, I discovered the backyard pool and deck were ready to slide down a very steep hillside (ugh... no mention of that on the MLS).
When something looks to good to be true... it almost always is. So much time is wasted spinning our wheels looking at homes that end up being a disappointment because of lack of care and pride of ownership. Perhaps this could be avoided if a true and accurate picture of the home is presented in the marketing remarks on the MLS.
It's our duty to set the tone for realistic expectations, both for the Seller who is listing their home, and for the Buyer's Agent and Buyer who read our marketing remarks. Telling the truth upfront can certainly prepare one's expectation and perhaps minimize the level of disappointment one might feel after being misled (or do we call that fibbing with fluff?). Who's driving the car anyway?
As for drive bys... who doesn't get giddy at the prospect of a shiny red candied apple? The key to getting someone to take a bite is to offer them curbside appeal, a welcoming front door, a warm and inviting interior and something of substance inside and out. Set the stage for a razzle dazzle experience and they'll leave feeling satisfied and magically delicious! The rest can be left to the real estate gods!
Listen to this catchy tune... and you'll never think of another drive by in the same light!
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