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Are we in the furniture business??

By
Real Estate Agent with Corcoran 30HA1040502

How many real estate sales agents had a listing where the owner asked you to offer his furniture for sale to the buyer? Almost every other listing I get listed, has this extra "benefit".

-   Are we in  the furniture business?

-   Do we have to negotiate the sale of a dinning room with the sale of the house and get off track of our main goal...selling the property?

-  After all are we making a commission on the sale of the furniture?

whether it is an antique piece of furniture or a hand me down chandelier from generation to generation, my gut feeling try NOT to get involved in selling furniture. It's not our expertise.

In the begining when I got into this real estate business, I got involved in the sale of furniture, paintings etc.. and soon thereafter, I found out that my clients either the seller or the buyer, used these items to negotiate and bargain some more or even to hold off the sale of the property until they got that crystal door nob or that antique chandelier.

Focus, focus focus!! last I saw, I am a Licensed real estate sales agent and NOT furniture sales agent. Tell you seller tof irst focus on the property sale and when this is done then you can focus on the furniture sale if you wish to be that helpful.

Posted by

Fern Hamberger  Associate Broker

Sales and leasing 

Corporate Headquarters Relocation Services

Town Residential

33 Irving Place    New York, NY 10003    fhamberger@townresidential.com  

      Cell: 646.660.0060   

Your Referral is your Best Compliment

 

Comments (9)

Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Fern we quit selling anything on a bill of sale outside of escrow many years ago. I always tell the sellers if there is anything you really want to keep (ie keepsake chandelier given to them) they should take it down and replace it.  Sellers get this.

Nov 04, 2016 08:33 AM
Fern S. Hamberger

Thank you. I try not to get involved but they always ask...

Nov 05, 2016 03:35 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I try not to get involved in personal property sales between buyer and seller

Nov 04, 2016 09:10 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

When I get that request from a seller or buyer I just back away and tell them to talk among themselves.  My issue is to try to get the house to close

Nov 04, 2016 12:12 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Fern. Smart analysis. Let the buyer and seller handle the furniture stuff once the deal is firm.

Nov 04, 2016 11:05 PM
Fern S. Hamberger

Thank you SHeila!!

Nov 05, 2016 03:34 AM
Fern S. Hamberger
Corcoran - Manhattan, NY
The Fern Hamberger Team

Thank you All for your answers.. 

Nov 06, 2016 05:07 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good Morning Fern - that could really get dicey considering the values in each.  It is one thing to say a fixture stays but getting into art and furniture trading is another expertise for sure.

Jan 25, 2017 08:10 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Fern Hamberger you are wise to stay away from side sales, they can also create issues with the sale of the house.

Sep 26, 2017 02:01 PM
Lesley Wilson-VanGoethem
Innovative Realty Solutions Group - Winter Springs, FL
Residential Real Estate Broker Associate

I learned a long time ago, to explain to both sides that banks dont give mortgages on houshold furniture.. ergo , not a part of the sale. Appraisers look past furniture when they are valuing the home.

To my sellers, if you are planning on selling any of your  furniture,  Make up a booklet with pic of item and price  and keep on counter for people viewing the home. I also suggest they create a "123 mainstreetfurniture" email address for contacting them.

Jul 30, 2018 07:25 AM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

While it seems logical to sellers, selling "stuff" distracts us from selling houses.

Oct 31, 2019 11:29 PM