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Listings? Who needs them?!!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with JWC Florida Realty

 I recently was visiting a realtor friend of mine at another office.  The phone is not exactly ringing off the hook....you know!  So I decided to visit friends that used to be in the same office as I was. 

My friend is the type of person who is the first one in the office in the morning and last one to go to bed at night.  While we were speaking, another realtor in the room was complaining about the lack of sales and on the condition of the market in general.  Still another realtor in the room, says that she has so many listings that it is more than she can handle and offers to have this realtor complaining work with her on some of them.  What happened next almost made my head explode!  He said, "No, thanks.  What I need are sales, not listings."  I asked "What is the difference?"  He just couldn't understand what I was getting at. 

Some people have the blinders on.  They don't see the link between the two.  This isn't 2005 or 2006.  We need to work harder and smarter to get the sales.  I am a firm believer that .....he who has the most listings....makes the money.  If 3 years ago it took 10 listings to make 2-3 sales a month, then now we need 25-30 listings to make maybe 2 sales.  Point is the more inventory we have as listing agents, the greater the chance of something getting sold.

In this challanging market we need to get as creative as possible.  But, having many listings increases the chance that another realtor, or a buyer, will see something they like for themselves or their buyers.  Having more listings, I think is a no brainer.  I have been working the expireds alot lately.  A little at a time I am getting more calls.

Listen, I don't pretend to be a know it all or the"best" realtor.  I'm just saying that we all need a different outlook.  If listings is what you have,  them by all means.....tell everyone that you have them. It cost nothing to tell and e-mail.  Start with the people in your own office.  E-mail them to your friends, co-workers, and other real estate professional you know.  You never know when someone might know someone who just happens to be looking for that house you just happen to have listed.

This is time for, and should always be, unification!  Let us unite and help eachother.  We are in this rocking boat together....no matter where you live!

Comments (12)

John Stauffer
John Stauffer MBA, E-pro,CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES - Battle Creek, MI
Amen - No matter what it is still a numbers game and whether this month or nine months from now when the market turns he has the listings will when - it realkly isn't that hard.
Mar 03, 2008 12:00 PM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK
Listings are the beginning of sales, but I don't want more listings than I can do a good job with.  I had rather have 10 thta are priced right and have motivated sellers than 100 that are ovepriced dog of listings or unmotivated sellers.
Mar 03, 2008 12:04 PM
Giuseppe "Joe" Pistone
JWC Florida Realty - Pembroke Pines, FL
Thank you John!  I'm glad that I'm not alone in this thinking.  We can all achieve more by working together than by working apart.
Mar 03, 2008 12:05 PM
Giuseppe "Joe" Pistone
JWC Florida Realty - Pembroke Pines, FL
Having listings that are priced right is key.  If the seller is being unrealistic about the price, then you're better off saying no to that listing.  People have this idea that their home is worth a certain amount.  That price in their head might be from 2005 or 2006!  Again, they have blinders on! 
Mar 03, 2008 12:08 PM
June Piper-Brandon
Coldwell Banker Realty - Columbia, MD
Creating Generational Wealth Through Homeownership
Thanks for reminding all of us.  Listings are our life blood and bread and butter.  I am currently carrying 19 listings and working on 2 more.  I can't find anyone to take mine over either, they all say they want sales.  So far I will have my 2 settlements this month and 1 next month so far.  The sad or happy thing is I'm the Broker and don't want our office to lose the business.
Mar 03, 2008 12:08 PM
Jon Miller
United Country-Marshland Realty - Beaufort, SC

Right on the money!  He who has the listings does better.   I've been working on getting the listings pretty hard.  I challenged myself to maintain 40 listings by the end of the year and so far this year I already have 26 and I've got 4 more on the way.   Then I do www.postlets.com and make my brochure/flyers and email them out.  Cost nothing. 

AND.... what's really cool is when you get both the listing side and the selling side of the transaction!  We can do that here in South Carolina.

Mar 03, 2008 12:08 PM
Giuseppe "Joe" Pistone
JWC Florida Realty - Pembroke Pines, FL

Thank you all!  Please if anyone has an idea on how we can all benefit, please share the information.  Anything that we can get to promote our listings free is great!

Mar 03, 2008 12:12 PM
Greg Dallaire
Dallaire Realty - Green Bay, WI
Green Bay Homes

This attitude and thinking is wonderful to see it's all about how you perceive the market and you have to being able to adapt to the changing times

The resources we have at active rain should help anyone struggling with the right perspective.  Keep up the great work

Mar 03, 2008 12:15 PM
Gaye Granice
Robert Defalco Realty - Staten Island, NY
Associate Broker
You know what they always say "Listings is like having money in the Bank".... Eventually if you work them right they will sell even if they start off overpriced.  Good Luck everyone!
Mar 03, 2008 12:24 PM
Giuseppe "Joe" Pistone
JWC Florida Realty - Pembroke Pines, FL
Persistence!  AMEN to you Gaye!
Mar 03, 2008 12:42 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

No matter the market, I have gotten buyers FROM listings.  What a moron!  But I know a few of those in my own office too. 

Aug 13, 2008 07:35 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

I know a few of those too.

Aug 13, 2008 08:03 AM
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