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Apology to Home Seller's

By
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster 0225078705

It is not uncommon when we are on a listing appointment we meet with irrelevant objections from the seller that have no bearing on price.  More often than not, these are objections that we cannot overcome.  With little or no equity in a home, the listing agent often finds themselves between a rock and a hard place of placating the seller, and telling the truth.  A real estate professionals know all too well that  home prices are not something we can just pull out of the air, they are more objective than that.  Sellers do not want to hear they cannot get what they want.  It becomes frustrating for all, and perhaps they will call in another agent that will just tell the sellers what they want to hear.  It does not mean that they will sell the home; it just means they have hired a "Yes person!"   It isn't easy for a real estate professional to tell the owners the truth, but somebody has to.  

So Mr. MS, or Mrs...I'm sorry but the suggested list price for your home cannot factor in:

  • What your indebtedness is on your property has no bearing on your asking price.
  • Because you already borrowed the equity out of your home, does not mean we can spend it again.
  • You lost your job and need some money to hold you over.
  • You price cannot factor in medical bills and life factored expenses - ( buyouts, child support etc...)
  • What you need to net on the property isn't relevant to your list price.
  • The cost of living where you are moving to does not mean you can ask for more here.
  • What you paid for your property 4 years ago has no bearing in this market.
  • What your neighbor's home sold for last year, does not mean that is what you can get today.
  • Neighborhood hearsay - what you heard someone really sold their home for.
  • The price of the swimming pool cannot be added on top of the list price.
  • Maintinence items are not upgrades - What would your home be worth if you did not fix the leaking roof?

 

Posted by

James Crawford Broker Associate

Long & Foster Fredericksburg Virginia

678-595-5286 Direct

 

Fredericksburg VA Real Estate Agents, Spotsylvania County Homes for Sale, Spotsylvania County VA Homes, Stafford County VA Homes, and City of Fredericksburg VA – Luxury Homes, Lots, Land, and New Home Construction. Buying or Selling Call Me!  

 

Long and Foster Fredericksburg VA

Sonya Rosser
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers - Douglasville, GA

I am not the one to lie to a seller.  I like being up front in the very beginning and if I do not get the listing I am okay with that.  I have a potential seller but after telling him the truth I may not get the listing.  I am fine.  Thanks for the post.

May 15, 2008 12:59 PM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL (RE/MAX Premier Associates)   Everyone wants a deal, and a profit but as whose expense?

May 15, 2008 02:01 PM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Kay Van Kampen, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions)  We do a one step, but we are always open to ideas.  The market is really changing too quickly these days!

May 15, 2008 02:02 PM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Sonya Rosser (ERA Buckhead Realty  I feel the same.  If I do not get the listing, no loss.

May 15, 2008 02:03 PM
Sarah Nopp
South Sound, WA

I am so grateful to be in my rather stable market. The county to the North has now been designated a "declining market". It is the only one in the area with that label.

May 15, 2008 06:15 PM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Sarah Nopp, REALTOR(R), CRS. RE/MAX Four Seasons, Olympia WA (RE/MAX Four Seasons)   You are blessed.  Strange market in many areas.

May 16, 2008 01:02 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Jim..This list is sooo on target.  I'm just left wondering why reasonable adults somehow loose rational perspective when it comes to being realistic about home pricing.  Fortunately, at least in our experience...more people seem to get it & we're hearing less of these types of comments.

May 16, 2008 05:06 AM
Thom Abbott
MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living - Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta GA Condos For Sale

Jim...well said! I just had a sale that the appraisal was lower than the contract price. We worked on our Seller's behalf and got them $15,000 back on the appraisal price. My Seller STILL thinks he should of got the contract price. Hello!!!

May 16, 2008 05:55 AM
Esko Kiuru
Bethesda, MD

Jim,

Great list. One way to approach a listing presentation is to send the seller this list in advance and ask them to read and understand it and then the conversation about the listing price could be more objective.

May 16, 2008 09:57 AM
LaNita Cates
REMAX of Joliet - Joliet, IL

Great list. People really think they can get what their neighbor did last year. And tons think they get back 100% of what they "added on" in extras.

May 16, 2008 10:16 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate Broker  We had one recently where the seller just wanted to hear what they wanted to hear.  We wish them well and we are on our way.

May 16, 2008 11:36 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

The Thom And Ray Team  Some folks think we control the appraisal price.  It will never happen.

May 16, 2008 11:38 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Esko Kiuru - Las Vegas NV Mortgage Consultant (Sinifox Financial)  They never read it.  Even pre-lst packages...they never read them.

May 16, 2008 11:39 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

LaNita Cates (REMAX of Joliet)  Many believe they are entitled to a 100% plus extras.  They will find out the hard way...not so.

May 16, 2008 11:41 AM
Doug Fritchie
DOUG FRITCHIE-Silver Legacy Properties,Inc. - Portland, OR

Hey Jim ~ Good stuff as always. It is funny how Sellers try to justify things.

May 16, 2008 11:41 AM
Toby & John T. Williams
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Medford, NY

Very good!  You CAN answer these objections. It's just uncomfortable for you. 

Honesty is the best policy.

We, as real estate agents and appraisers DO NOT set prices.  ONLY the buyers decide the actual value of a home at any given point in time based on what it is and where it is...

Jul 22, 2008 05:15 AM
Peter Nikic
Broad & Bailey Realty LLC - Valhalla, NY

Jim, great list, but if every seller was a broker, then they would already know this. Our job becomes more difficult because home owners (sellers) don't know what we know, though it is very comical at times :-)

Jul 22, 2008 05:35 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

DOUG FRITCHIE-Silver Legacy Properties,Inc  Rationalization is the only way to go for some.

Jul 22, 2008 09:45 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Toby & John T. Williams (Prudential Douglas Elliman RE)  I am never afraid to share the truth.  I run a business, and it all about objectivity.

Jul 22, 2008 09:47 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Peter Z. Nikic ... and a lot of unethical agents lead the sellers wiht lies!  They buy the listing with manipulation.

Jul 22, 2008 09:48 AM