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A Tale of Two FSBO's

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with SD Home Source Realty BRE #01363537

a tale of two fsbo'sI suited up this morning and went to a few open houses that were being sold by owner. Two of them posed an interesting study of contrasts.

At the first, the owner was warm and welcoming. He was dressed professionally in dress slacks and shirt. Inside his home, I was greeted by a counter of warm cookies (yes, the wonderful smell was present), coffee, cups, plates and napkins.

We sat down together and he allowed me to do my informal sales pitch for listing his home. One of my options appealed to him, we exchanged cards and we agreed to reconnect. It was easy and pleasant, leaving me with a good impression - even if I never hear from him again.

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At the next open house, the owner's father was sitting in the front driveway in a camping chair. He was wearing blue jeans and a rumpled t-shirt. When I introduced myself as a Realtor, he said he was there to keep his daughter away from Realtors. He did however, add that he'd welcome a buyer and compensate me. 

Inside, the home was empty, in old condition, and offered no place to sit down, nor any refreshments. Upon my way out, I handed him the market comparables I had prepared, and said I'd like to leave this with him. He declined to take the packet.

I drove off thinking about how needlessly unpleasant this man was. Even though I sell the neighborhood, I would never bring a buyer to him because he was so antagonistic.

I understand that many for-sale-by-owners want nothing to do with Realtors. Yet, the vast majority of home buyers come with Realtors. When you are unpleasant to an agent, you may just be shooting yourself in the foot and losing some business.

If you are selling your home by owner, I encourage you to be polite with those agents you come across. I know that some Realtors will come on too strong, and can even be aggressive as they push for your listing. But please, remember that we are people too. The more you engage, and even tolerate us, the more likely you are to sell your own home.

 

Comments (9)

Will Johnson
Hendersonville, TN
The Sell and Stage Team

Excellent point!  Almost always, a FSBO seller will come in contact with a realtor when trying to sell their home.  And they have to get along well with said realtor.  Great examples!

Jun 06, 2015 06:12 AM
Adam Crocker
Elite Properties - Olympia, WA

I very much agree with your take on FSBO's.  People who are selling their home themselves, must understand that it is the duty of Real Estate Agents to  represent them in selling their home.  Due to the fact that we know we will work hard for them, save them a lot of time and effort, and we will get their house sold at the right price! 

Jun 06, 2015 06:16 AM
Vera Gonzalez
RE/MAX Suburban, Inc. - Sterling Heights, MI
Gonzo For Real Estate

Excellent post. It is so funny how people can be like that and act like you wasted their time. The best thing you can do is chalk it up to there will always be one person like that, and remember for everyone of those there will be one like the first one:)

Jun 06, 2015 07:30 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

That's to bad, and more likely than not the first house will sell, because they are doing the right things, and the second will languish on the market or sell for a very low price. Go figure...

Jun 07, 2015 04:31 AM
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Hi Cindy Davis ,  You're right about them shooting themselves in the foot. (More like in the wallet).  They should make it harder for people to sell their own homes.  There should be a $3000. filing charge if they do it themselves, without a Real Estate Agent. They would be more apt to go through a Real Estate Brokerage.

Jun 07, 2015 10:59 AM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

On the mortgage side I cringe when someone tells me that are buying a home directly from a seller, most of the time they don't close.

Jun 09, 2015 10:41 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Cindy, wow, what bad behavior the second home seller (father) was, and you are right, I would not take a buyer either.  

Jun 09, 2015 11:33 AM
Scott Schder
PrimaVend - Portland, OR
PrimaVend

Did the nice guy ever call you back?

Jun 27, 2015 02:51 AM
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

Ironically, Scott Schneider he did a fsbo listing with another agent who doesn't live in town AND he only offered the buyer's agent 1% commission. It hasn't sold and there are 3 other units in the same complex available with full commission for the agent. Go figure! :)

Jun 27, 2015 07:49 AM