Comparing Apples....and Avocados....Or Something Like That

   We are often asked to review a listing that another agent has ...sometimes due to our divorce niche and sometimes because one of our purple envelope loyal and wonderful business or client sphere members has suggested that we offer a second opinion to a friend or neighbor who is trying to sell their house without success. 

    We begin by "assuming " nothing...that the present listing has is correct....we start from scratch...that means room sizes, directions, description of location, finishes, features, etc.  Every category that is "fill in the blank" on MLS in addition to the features that a buyer may find worthy of noting in choosing to buy the property.

   More often than not....we find that there are some very basic things that were done incorrectly.  In one instance....the size of the house was incorrect by 35%....smaller ...unfortunately. When buyers came they were expecting to see a house one size and instead....regardless of how nice it was...it was not the house they imagined it would be based upon the description.

       The directions/school system are wrong and wanting to be or stay in a school system can be very "key" to many buyers...that information is often missing from the listing all together...Or can be incorrect...hard to target that audience who may want to be a buyer when the educational "facts" are wrong.

    Updates and finishes are HUGE...comparing laminant counters to quartz or granite...kitchens and baths that have been updated vs those with the infamous pink fixtures (thank you Mamie Eisenhower).  

    "Forgetting" one property has a finished lower level offering another whole area of living space...which may include egress windows, partial or full walk out exposure, amenities not limited to a fireplace, kitchen, bath, rec room/man/person cave,, wet bar, bedroom, office etc.   There is the avocado that is being compared to the apple....and the result is that there is an "inaccurate listing" that likely will not sell as quickly as the potential buyers don't have the information that would attract them to the house.

     Preparing the listing for sale....washing windows, de-personalizing, decluttering, tidying landscaping, power washing siding, making the property the very best it can be..not taking pictures, putting the listing on MLS and a sign in the yard...that isn't "practicing real estate" that to us, is trying to imitate practicing without having the knowledge to use the tools of the business to put the very best home forward. 

    Did you bring that "NET" sheet with you so that you know from the beginning what is owed on the property ?  Did you alert your title company to do a "search and hold" so that no liens are "forgotten"....that is the HOME work part of the listing and part of the key to being successful.

        Listing agents....when you take a listing...don't "Assume"...look at every detail of the property, the area, the features and be careful to target the Buyer for the property. 

   There is more than "Luck" involved to listing...there is more to real estate than just having a license....knowing the difference between apples and avocados is part of what an agent with successful experience brings to the listing.

    If you or anyone you know wants real estate agents who have a practice based upon education and fostered by successful experience in southeastern Wisconsin, call the Hansons, we are honored to be of service.