A young couple called me one day to list their home. They were referred to me by a past client and they were in need of my help. I listed their home- not exactly the listing price I suggested. I knew the home was over priced because of the condition and I told them that if there was no calls for showings or offers within the first 3 weeks, then we needed to reduce. They did not want a lock box on the door- was affraid it would sctratch the door.( they have 8 children in a 4 bedroom home and they are worried about a rubber cover lock scrathing a door. The wife wanted to be present during showings. Bad idea in my book, however that is what they wanted.

2 weeks go by and they agree to reduce- but only $3,000. Not much of a dent but it was a start in the right direction. The wife wanted to know if that would help- I told her honestly they needed to come down about $15K to be more realistic.

Once a week we would talk and I would update her on the new homes that came on the real estate market and there was 2 showings, but nothing came out of it. I told her she needed to sit down with her husband and really discuss the proper reduction if they seriously wanted to sell. I told them I would give them 2 days to talk about it and I would be calling back.

2 days come and go and I call them to discuss the reduction. Phone is disconnected. This was later in the evening so I figured first thing in the morning I would go over there to talk to them. The next morning just as I am getting ready to go over to their home, I get a call from a neighbor- "I got your number off your sign and wanted to let you know that your prople moved out in the middle of the night yesterday."

They walked away from the home- instead of reducing the price they walked away. Even more so- I am unable to find them which means I have no way to get them to sign to cancel the listing and I do not have a key if they are still intending on selling!

 

What's my next move?

 
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8 Comments on Where did you go?

I hope it works out for you and the sellers. Hope the clients who referred them to you have a clue.

04/22/2008 06:19 AM by GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR BUCKS COUNTY, PA HOMES (ReMax Centre Realtors)

I have made some calls and no one seems to know where they went except one person who stated- I'll call them and ask them to call you.

That's a big help- that was a week ago and no return call.

04/22/2008 07:00 AM by MAUREEN STACCATO Associate Partner Massachusetts (KELLER WILLIAMS OF PIONEER VALLEY)

I actually had something like this happen to me. I got a call from the bank telling me to get my sign and lockbox because the house foreclosed. This client was a friend of my sister in law. No one told me anything. AT least I had a way to track her down. I would tell the people who know where they are to please have them contact you. With 8 kids, someone knows where they are. What a bizarre situation all around!

04/22/2008 07:15 AM by Rob Muller - ABR, ASP, RCC, CNHS, LREA Cherokee County Real Estate (ReMax Town & Country)

This is one for the books. I can't cancel without their signature and can't show it without a key.

04/22/2008 07:28 AM by MAUREEN STACCATO Associate Partner Massachusetts (KELLER WILLIAMS OF PIONEER VALLEY)

No lockbox, no key, high price, I'm not sure I would have taken the listing in the first place. But, if you are serious about finding them and telling them you can help them with a short sale or some other option, then you can hire a skip tracer for $25 and they will find them in one day!

04/23/2008 09:49 AM by Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Washington Co, Beaverton Oregon) (Kastings & Associates, Beaverton Oregon Real Estate)

Really weird.  Were they in a bad financial situation and about to lose the house?  I'd run this by your state's legal hotline and see what they suggest.  

04/23/2008 10:42 AM by Katherine Anderson, Managing Broker (Coldwell Banker Hobin Realty, LLC - Hampton & Rye, NH, USA)

First- because of the amount of children they have, they felt is was better to be present for the showing. That was their choice. I have had other clients that wanted it that way and I never had a problem.

 

They were on the verge of financial problems. We were discussing converting to a short sale which was my opinion where they should have started.

 

04/26/2008 06:55 PM by MAUREEN STACCATO Associate Partner Massachusetts (KELLER WILLIAMS OF PIONEER VALLEY)

If you're a Realtor in MA you could call one of the Association's attorneys. It's a free service for Realtors; 800-370-LEGAL. Your broker will have to sign a release form or, if you're the broker, you can do it.

Full disclosure, yes, i work for the association.

I hope it works out.

05/31/2008 12:25 PM by Mike C

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Real Estate Agent: MAUREEN STACCATO Associate Partner Massachusetts (KELLER WILLIAMS OF PIONEER VALLEY)
MAUREEN STACCATO Associate Partner Massachusetts
Springfield, MA
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KELLER WILLIAMS OF PIONEER VALLEY

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First time homebuyers and Expired Listing Specialist. Let me put my track record to work for your personal Real Estate needs. Blogging about everything and anything Real Estate! I love my career and always looking for ways to express my personal experience, sharing opinions with others and supporting ideas! Meez 3D avatar avatars games

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