Is the house for sale or not? Just because there is a For Sale sign in the front yard, a lockbox on the front door, and a listing in the local MLS, doesn't mean the house is actually For Sale.
A couple of weeks ago, I had an appointment scheduled to view some houses with a buyer. We got to the last one, and it was the buyers' favorite, on paper. It was tenant occupied and the tenant mentioned he would be home during our appointment so I knocked on the door and rang the doorbell. I repeated... I then took the key out of the lockbox and attempted to unlock the door. Deadbolted from the inside!!
I called the tenant. I told him I was outside the house and asked if he was maybe in the shower or bathroom and didn't hear us. He proceded to tell me he left town that morning.
I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you. You left town? But I scheduled an appt yesterday and you confirmed it. When do you plan on being back?
I'm not sure, maybe 3-4 days. Oh wait, are you the agent who called yesterday to schedule the appoinrment to view the house?
YES!
Yeah, I'm not there, I had to leave town.
But you were expecting me, why would you leave town? Why is the door deadbolted from the inside? Is there another way into the house since we're here?
What an idiot! I decided to try the back door and that was also deadbolted from the inside. We looked at each window to see if any were unlocked, which they weren't.
I called the listing agent:
The house at 123 Main Street has been on the market for 154 days. Do you think the reason is that the tenant isn't allowing showings?
What do you mean? We had an issue in the past with the tenant, but the home owner talked with him and we thought things were better.
I had an appointment for this morning and he left town. Deadbolted the doors from the inside so the lockbox wasn't helpful. You might want to call your seller to see if he really wants to sell the house and then get rid of the tenants or have another conversation with them. Those tenants are making that house stay on the market longer than it should.
We have yet to go back and view the house. The buyer has a bad taste in his mouth to the process right now. Tenants and sellers that behave badly make the Buyers' agents look bad when we can't help our own clients. Such a shame in such a hot selling market!
If you want to sell your home quick(er), it's best to do it vacant than having a "regular" tenant in the property. Staging tenants or Home Managers are different and they are there to help with a smooth showing. In the mean time, Mr. Seller, don't hold your breath that the house will sell any time soon!
**Are You Packed Yet?**
Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com
Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, CedarPark, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way.
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Copyright© 2012 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Is Your House Really For Sale? * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.
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