Keeping the Neighbors in the Dark for Now
Some sellers don't want the neighbors to know they are thinking about selling. I can understand this especially if the neighbors have been close friends and moving might be upsetting to them. Other times, they just don't want their business known too early and before teh final decisions are made. Some people are very private people.
I got a call from a prospective seller that was referred to me. She explained she will be moving later this year and would like to talk about the selling process. It has been many years since she and her husband made their last move. I commended her on getting an early start so the property could be show-ready when the time comes to put it on the market. Of course when it's time to go on the market, the neighbors will see the signs and that is when all their questions will start.
This will not be an easy move for her since she will downsizing and has so many possessions. Therefore I suspect she wants a lot of those decisions resolved before the neighbors put in their two cents worth.
When the time came to set the appointment the seller asked if I had a car wrap. When I answered no she asked if I have car signs identifying myself as a real estate agent and again I answered no. This was the answer she wanted to hear as she didn't want to let her neighbors see she was talking with a Realtor®. If I had any of those things I would need to come after dark or remove them. It felt very clandestine but I totally understood. She wants her privacy protected.
I choose to not have identifying marks on my car but if you look inside you will likely see a for sale sign, MLS sheets and other tools of the trade. It just isn't my style to have my car painted up indicating that I am an agent. I know there are agents that get lots of business by telling the world they are in real estate. It is a personal choice.
When I am talking with someone, I try to accommodate their requests. I know it is especially hard for those that are older to give up their homes of many years and their neighbors and neighborhoods. It is part of my job to make the transition as easy as possible. If it relieves stress by me coming to look at the home at night and not looking like a Realtor® I am glad to do it. I am all about serving the needs of my future clients.
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