Special offer

How many showings should a seller have before they accept an offer?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Godzyk Real Estate Services NH License 033394

Is there a minimum number of showings a home should have before the seller accepts a home? Most reasonable people will tel you it only takes 1 showing if the buyer is ready, willing and able to purchase and makes an acceptable answer. Not all sellers or listing agents think that though, take a Manchester NH area home listed last summer. My buyer was the first one to see it. They made a full price offer contingent on a home inspection within 7 days and were pre-approved a mortgage. The Sellers rejected the offers as he said "his agent said we should have multiple showings and buyers interested before we accept an offer."   

 

That was 6 months ago. Reviewing the expired listings whose home do i see? That one. Price $20,000 less than the buyers offer and unsold. 

 

I contacted the seller who told me they think about that offer every day. Why did their agent give them such poor advice. They said they did not have another offer the last 6 months except for a cash buyer the day before their listing expired for half price.

 

 

THE BOTTOM LINE is that there is a Right way and a Wrong to buy or sell a home. This is an example of the wrong way. Sometimes your best offer is your first offer. No matter if you have 1 offer, 2 or a dozen, all offers should be considered despite how quick they come in.   

 

The HARD TRUTH is that the BEST way to be prepared to buy or sell a home is by hiring a "GOOD" Agent. One that will guide you through each step of the Buying or Selling process. To the consumers who were successful, they found the secret which I would like to share with you. Free advice can be worth what you paid for it, so when you are ready, do it right. 

 

If you read all the way to hear, i hope you like my series of "catchy titles" They are meant to grab your attention and let Buyers and Sellers know how to avoid such pitfalls by simply hiring a better agent. One that will work with them throughout the buying and selling process. 

 

 

THE TOP TIPS TO FIND A "GREAT" REAL ESTATE AGENT

 

 1. LEARN THIS ONE FACT: One should know that All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest Agent or Company. It is important to Hire the BEST Agent. In NH that could be me.   

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT AGENT: As a Buyer OR Seller in this market you need every advantage you can to get your home sold. It starts with choosing the right agent. a. Ask for a Full time agent whose sole job is to sell homes. b. Ask for a Full service agent who will guide you through each step of the selling process. Discount brokers often equal discount services. c. Ask for a Local agent who knows your neighborhood and is readily available when you need them is a must. Out of town agents can leave you high and dry in your time of need. d. Ask for a well experienced Listing Agent can give you the advantages you need when selling your home. Not all agents are created equal. Choose only the best.  

 3. HOME BUYERS SHOULD START BY:  Getting a FREE PRE-QUALIFICATION with a local and trusted lender. They will look at your credit and financial picture and let you know what type of mortgage you may qualify for and what your interest rate and monthly payment may be.   

4. HOME SELLERS SHOULD START BYGetting a FREE MARKET ANALYSIS. Learn what your property is worth in today's market along with how ling it may take to sell. If you are ready to sell now, learn what you should ask for it. How much offers may come in at and what the approximate selling price should be. NH Home owners should contact me now.   

 

 

IN SUMMARY the key to having a successful purchase or sale can increase simply choosing a better agent. The secret is that All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest. I leave you with now infamous philosophy, which is simple, to provide more personal and professional service to guide my clients through each step of the buying or selling process.

 

 

It does not take magic to turn your "For Sale" sign into a "Sold" sign. it takes a full time Local Agent who specializes in Listing homes like yours.


If you are thinking of buying a Home please contact us. Get a free pre-qualification along with some of the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE through each step of the Buying Prices.

 

 

WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE THROUGHOUT EACH STEP OF THE LISTING AND SELLING PROCESS!!!

 

If you need to sell your home and you owe more than your house is worth, i may be able to help. I specialize in working with home owners to get your home sold. There are many options such as a short sale which may be able to help you.

Please try and avoid out of state or out of town agents and companies that make "out of this world promises". We are local agents with experience who never charge any up front fees.

 

 

 

We are local agents with experience who GET RESULTS!!!

 

We stand by you through every step in selling your home.

 

Another reason that makes New Hampshire a great place to Live, Work and Play.

 

About the Author: Scott Godzyk is the Owner/Broker of the Godzyk Real Estate Services in Manchester NH. With 30 years of experience, Scott is a leading Agent for Listing and Selling Homes in this area. To CONTACT Scott Godzyk please call 603.661.2121 or EMAIL: Sctprop@aol.com . We are Full Time Agents ready to serve all of your Real Estate needs through each step of the buying and Selling process. We are proud to be locally owned and operated.

Comments (40)

Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Oh geez. These poor sellers. A 20K loss and more due to the time on the market. That is a true shame. 

Jan 26, 2016 09:55 AM
Nancy Hankin
RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants - Palm Springs, CA

 

I had to read your title twice. I thought it might have been a trick question. Instead it was the same old story of an incompetent Realtor representing a buyer or seller and giving them bad advice.

 

In our area, Palm Springs, CA, we get a slew of retired people from all walks of life who retire...then decide to become a Realtor. They haven't a clue how to negotiate, how to fill out contracts or how to professionally represent a buyer or seller. But they have taken a few written tests...and now they are Realtors!

 

These same inexperienced Realtors sign up on Zillow, Truila, Realtor.com, etc and pay thousands of dollars for a LEAD. The poor unsuspecting Buyer or Seller hasn't a clue how inexperienced that Realtor is.

 

Every day I hear horror stories and I shudder to think who will be the next unsuspecting victim. About two hours ago I received a call  from a Buyer in California who has sent all their funds to Escrow and the seller of the home they were to close on today..decided today NOT TO SELL!

 

This woman was hysterical. I asked her to contact her Realtor's Broker. She said the agent represented both the buyer and the seller.  I told her she may have to go to court and she may be able to ask for damages and court fees, but her Broker had a duty to assist her in this dilemma. I also advised her to put EVERYTHING in WRITING and to definitely contact the Broker immediately.

 

It all happened so quickly and I have no idea why she reached out to another Realtor. I'm guessing she did not feel too confident in contacting her Realtor.

 

The bottom line is we are in an industry where a lot of Realtors are giving clients very poor advice, because our licensing is too darn easy to get.  We sell the largest commodity most people own, and a good majority of the public looks at our industry as if we are over-paid clerks!  I wonder why?


 

Jan 26, 2016 10:13 AM
Marte Cliff

I agree - it is far too easy to get a license. 

Jan 26, 2016 01:06 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Scott Godzyk 
That's my mantra - as you said -
"Sometimes your best offer is your first offer."
All the best -
Lynn

Jan 26, 2016 10:34 AM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

All it takes is one buyer ... and usually the first offer is the best offer ... so I'll say one!

Jan 26, 2016 12:23 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Scott, sometimes the first offer is the best offer. Sometimes it is the only offer.  Full price ... what could be wrong with that?

Jan 26, 2016 01:00 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

FEATURED IN CRAP-TACULAR

 

CRAPPY ADVICE EQUALS CRAPPY RESULTS! 

Jan 26, 2016 01:02 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Why reject a full price offer? Because it means maybe you didn't list high enough? I think the days of listing high and expecting to just take offers are over - and that will be a good thing if the public (and some agents) ever comes to understand it. 

Jan 26, 2016 01:07 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

It's always a shame to hear when sellers, or buyers, are given bad advice. We know that often the first offer is the best, and in your case it was a great offer. Someone has egg on the face, or should

Jan 26, 2016 11:06 PM
John Oman
Newington, CT

Major bad advice.  Why would you turn down a good offer.  Especially this one.  Certainly not in the best interest of your client....

Jan 27, 2016 12:21 AM
Christi Farrington
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
~ Your representative in Fairfield County, CT

The agent gave some very poor advice, indeed.  However, the seller knew the price that they wanted for their house and received that exact price.  I think the seller has some responsibility to accept the offer and move forward.

Greed is not a good thing! 

Thank you for a thought provoking post!

Jan 27, 2016 12:46 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Don't know the full situation yet, but it seems to me if they have had only one other offer in 6 months it may be over priced.  Also unlikely you could make it stick.  But they have you a commission for the bringing them a buyer.  You brought them one at asking price.  Seems they owe you a commission.  

Jan 27, 2016 01:47 AM
Terry McCarley
Coastal Real Estate - Cape Coral FL - Cape Coral, FL
REALTOR, SRES, CDPE - Cape Coral, FL

Great post!  It is sad the owners took the poor advice they were given by the previous listing agent.  That was a very expensive lesson for the sellers!

Jan 27, 2016 03:45 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Excellent advice!  Chosing the right agent is so important but as well all know...some of the 'not so good' agents can sell themselves pretty well in the listing appointment then not follow through..and the seller is stuck

Jan 27, 2016 04:09 AM
Dana Basiliere
Rossi & Riina Real Estate - Williston, VT
Making deals "Happen"

I just put a property under deposit with the first showing we had.  When it hit MLS the other agent called so quickly my guy hardly had time to get the house ready for show. First one may just be the only one.

Jan 27, 2016 04:33 AM
Theresa Akin
CORPUS CHRISTI REALTY GROUP - Corpus Christi, TX

Had a listing that received an offer of just less than the seller's lowest projected acceptable price. Like $500. They started to drag their feet. Told them they could always counter and they did. Also told them another offer like it may not show up and it could sit. Since they were motivated to sell they came up to their least acceptable. Closed 30 days later. I always suggest they counter never do a wait and see for better. One may be looking at the light on their way to meet their maker.

Jan 27, 2016 05:07 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

How sad this was for the seller in your post. I discuss with sellers many scenarios they may encounter when it comes to buyer offers, so that they are prepared to take the first offer, if the buyer is qualified and the price is right.

Jan 27, 2016 05:08 AM
M.C. Dwyer
Melody Russell Team at eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Felton, CA
MC Dwyer-Santa Cruz Mountains Property Specialist

The first offer is often the best offer! At least make a counter offer-the buyer took the time to write an expression of interest...

Jan 27, 2016 05:11 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Well, ideally they should have one showing, one offer and a good one. 

Jan 27, 2016 07:11 AM
Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent
Professional Realty Services® - Corona, CA
Bringing you Home!

Sold one this weekend. One showing, offer over asking. BOOM! Done. Next.

In reality, when I knew I was getting the listing, I called some of the busy agents in town asking if they had a buyer. One said yes, she showed it the day it hit the MLS after telling her buyer what a great deal it was, how clean, great location, etc.

She did her job selling it to her client, I did my job selling it for my client.

Would it have sold fast anyway? Probably. But this way I get to work with a professional I want to to work with. There will be no drama, no surprises.

Feb 08, 2016 01:01 AM
Eren Millam
Realty World Cosser & Associates, Inc. - Chehalis, WA
Certified Negotiation Expert

This story surprises me in two ways. #1 why didn't they just get back to you right before the offer expired. During that time, agent could see if he could generate multiple offers. If nothing, take the offer or counter over asking. #2 Why didn't that agent call you right before a price reduction and beg you to bring your buyer back? That just seems crazy to meet! Good reminder not all agents are created equally.

Feb 18, 2016 10:54 PM