From time-to-time I'll read a post and it will make me think a little deeper. I read this post today "What's with the house next door?" and it got me re-thinking the precept.
First, when a prospective buyer views a home on paper, it does not, can not and will not -- ever -- be a tactile review of the property, in the flesh. As an Exclusive Buyers Agent, I call this: JOB SECURITY.
As pointed out in the above-referenced post, the property seemed great on paper. But, that house next door . . . is killing my deal!
I've showen many properties that have had these "houses next door." WE CAN SEE IT, my clients and I.
I try to ground myself in the following reality:
The house next door has a someone living in it. A PERSON.
The house is not in disarray to ruin my deal!
The house is not in disrepair to hinder my life, or cause my client any grief.
We have come to be a nation of whiners who take everything personally, and a direct affront if, GOD FORBIDE, the person, place or thing isn't a mirror-image of our reality.
Let's Look Under the Roof
The house is in disrepair . . . more than likely . . . because there is A PERSON living there that may have some hardships.
Many of the homes I see in my local area that are in need of some TLC are owned by ELDERLY PEOPLE who are on a very fixed income and can't take care of the home. The deferred maintenance . . . that can not be deferred any longer.
The paint is the color of oyster puke, and that's because that was the trend (fad, rage) 30 years ago ...
The lawn is un-mowed . . . and so is the roof! That's because the owner broke their hip, and can't manage the lawn, or can't afford the costs of roof maintenance.
There are cars parked . . . and it's a junkyard . . . and that might be a sign of the PERSON'S mental health issue. I've been to a few HOARDER houses. I feel sorry for the owners. They obviously can't see their accumulations, which have become obsessive.
DING DONG . . . It's Not Avon Calling
"Hey, why don't you REPAINT . . . "
If someone came on to my property, without invitation, to bitch and moan about the condition, why would it surprise anyone that I -- the PERSON living in the home -- becomes defensive?!?
My home is not meeting your expectations?!? Boo hoo hoo
See, here's the thing about human nature . . . you can't go into soverign areas and complain.
" When I was suffering with my medical abuse issues, my home went to seed. Things didn't get done. I wasn't prepared to have an othropedic surgeon butcher me. Society did nothing for me. By the Grace of God . . . I survived!
In your travels through life as a real estate agent, and you see a home which is in need of some TENDER LOVING CARE . . . think about this:
- The PERSON living in that home may need all kinds of help.
- The PERSON living in that home may need financial assistance.
- The PERSON living in that home may have some mental health issues.
- The PERSON living in that home may have some life altering events.
- The PERSON living in that home may be suffering with addictions.
- The PERSON living in that home may be on a very fixed income
- The PERSON living in that home may be isolated
- The PERSON living in that home may be on pscyhotropic medications
If. . . the only thing that society brings to their front door is a pushy real estate agent bitching about the condition of their property, because it's messing up their deal . . . what does human nature predict will happen? The PERSON living in the home will welcome the bitch and moan about their property's condition . . . or, get a tad defensive?!?
OFFER TO HELP. I've called listing agents to ask about the "house next door" -- is it a rental? Does the owner know the condition of the property? Is the owner living there? Is the owner elderly? Do they need some help? Is there an outreach program in your city to help? Is there a CHURCH in the area that can help the person? A little coat of paint can go a long way . . . AND make an elderly person feel better. Organize a school to help? Get a youth program to volunteer to help in neighborhood clean-up projects. The list can go on and on.
For every home that is in disrepair . . . for every city suffering blight . . . I can assure you, it's not done to ruin your sale, or to make your clients turn their nose up in disgust.
It's because of circumstances . . .
which we are not privvy to unless we look under the roof
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