San Jose Home Sellers Ask For Blind Recommended List Price

I also question their motive for not wanting to show you the interior if they are seriously in the process of hiring an agent. I would send them information about recent Sold square foot prices, then let them know what the range would be for a fixer to an upgraded property. But make sure to emphasize that a home values is only as valid to the desirability and availability to prospective buyers.

I'm with you...I have to see the house before I can give a price recommendation. We don't just pull these numbers out of the top of our heads, well maybe some do, but I don't work that way. 

I'll have what they're having!  It's amazing how much people don't know regarding what goes on in buying and selling homes.

Can't imagine why a seller wouldn't want a serious opinion of price on their home if they really want to sell!  We're not magicians.

Well I do not understand what the problem is here:))))))) there is Zestimate and then there is Refin Estimate and then there is the SWAG method. I favor the SWAG method aka Scientific Wild Arsed Guess.... just think what Google Earth and a Desk top evaluation can do give or take depending on the market location $100k-$500k off the actual price:)))Endre

I don't send CMAs based upon a phone conversation. They get a CMA when we meet face to face. However, depending on how the conversation goes while on the phone I might tell them houses are selling for XX on the low side and ZZ on the high side. Then I'd tell them I can't tell where your house will fall until I see it.

Kathleen Daniels your post reminded me of a listing presentation slide - where the house is in the eyes of - seller, appraiser, buyer and lender.

Sellers always believe they have an excellent home. Now we only know and place a number for list price, after looking at the condition. Data is just data, what we give them is piece of information!

If they are looking for a price without an agent seeing the interior of the house they should just get an online zestimate.

When home owners ask me for a blind value, i give a range and tell them to be more exact, i do have to get inside and tell them why. Have a good Saturday Kathleen Daniels 

Good Morning Kathleen:

You mentioned all the important factors to consider in making a list price recommendation. We could probably draw parallelism on a blind date. The personal encounter could make us either say ooh lala or ouch..

Bingo, Kathleen. I just love it when someone says, " I know my home is worth $$$ because Zillow has its market value listed on line" but I'd like to see what you think too. Oh boy, good ole Zestimates. ;)

Why wouldn't the seller want to meet with a knowledgeable, qualified Realtor? From what I understand, they are listing their home with the highest bidder? That seems like a foolish way to determine list price.

I take a pragmatic approach. I don't bother wondering why the seller is going about it the wrong way. My intent is to get the listing. I tell them what they need to hear, just like a bunch of other agents will do. They aren't going to choose me because I am the best Realtor with the most experience, even though I probably am, they are going to choose me because I fit their expectations. I wait for a more direct conversation face to face.

Integrity.  I would ask them what they would pay for a house without inspecting it.  Do they want a doctor's opinion without an exam, tests or x-rays?  What about their mechanic?  Sorry, but I am a professional and my advice is not off the cuff or a wild guess.  Great blog!  Enjoy your day Kathleen Daniels 

Great read Kathleen!  I akin this to having my diamond rings appraised by a Jeweler . . . over the phone.  Consumers would NEVER expect that to occur, so why do they think it's feasible with their home's evaluation?  Unless the Jeweler can look at the diamonds through their loupe, they're can't appraise a thing!

Hello Kathleen Daniels 

Why not just throw a dart at a dartboard...

Must view the inside also. There can be significant differences in value and condition, even among homes in the same neighborhood with the same exteriors and floor plans.

I think I would provide a range. Happily, this has never been asked of me, at least so far.

Hi, I'm just checking out some of your older posts and older market reports.

Just going through some of your older stuff, gathering knowledge.  I like the market reports.