Special offer

I would list with you... but my wife is a Realtor

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Properties

Is there an answer to such a comment? Most Realtors would think not. I met a For Sale By Owner gentleman last December. It was an investment property in the Ridgewood area. He was kind enough to show me the property, but informed me that he would not be letting me market his home because his wife was a Realtor, and her company wasn't charging her on the selling side. He was offering a competitive 3% to the selling agent. This would seem to be a smart strategy... however the gentleman was doing all the work since his wife is part-time in Real Estate in Bergen County. He had a couple of contracts fall through and was getting frustrated. It is now over 5 months later and he has withdrawn the house to do some renovations. I have been keeping in touch with him, he is a really nice man. I made the case to him that for an additional 3% he would get the full exposure that he needed for his home, an expert negotiator and someone to manage this property for him. When you figure the value of the home (approximately $375,000) he was already offering half the brokerage fee, but having no one to represent him. I offerred his wife a 25% referral fee, so his additional investment would only be 2.25%. It seems obvious that you should hire me for only 2.25%. It can be very challenging to work with a family member. What if they don't do a good job? Talk about uncomfortable family gatherings, worse if you are married to them. I have an appointment with him next week, I will keep you updated. Has anyone marketed a home when one of the spouses held a Real Estate License? It hasn't happened to me yet, but I'm looking forward to next week.

For more information on Selling For Sale By Owner, New Jersey Homes for Sale, Bergen County Real Estate or any other topic,

call Sal Poliandro, Realtor, ePRO, SRES at 201-259-2187, or visit our website: http://www.salanddawn.com/

Sal can be reached by snail mail at RE/MAX Properties 81 North Maple Avenue Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Posted by

Get Educated.  Get Empowered.

For more information on this or any other topic, call Sal Poliandro, Broker Associate, Realtor, Marketing Advisor,

Short Sale Specialist and CDPE, Certified Distressed Property Expert

ePRO, SRES at 201-957-7650, visit our website: www.BCHomeTeam.com 

Follow me on Twitter: @bchometeam

Sal can be reached by snail mail at RE/MAX Properties 82 East Allendale Road  Suite 4B Saddle River, NJ 07458

Jean Powers
Kane & Associates call 510.908.9002 - Alameda, CA
CRS,e-PRO,HAFA,SFR Broker, Northern California

Your comments all make sense to me, I have a feeling you will get the listing. Good Luck!!!

May 15, 2008 02:43 PM
Linda Lipscomb
Linda Lipscomb RE/MAX Lexington Henderson County TN - Lexington, TN
731-695-1118, Lexington TN Homes

Nope...haven't had that one happen. 

But, if he is willing to meet with you....My money is on you.

Good luck.

May 15, 2008 02:46 PM
Barb Overmann
Keller Williams Realty - Lugoff, SC

Was she an inactive Realtor?  That's just like saying her profession is useless!

May 15, 2008 02:47 PM
Sal Poliandro - Helping People Win
RE/MAX Properties - Ridgewood, NJ
Broker Associate

Hi Jean,

     Thanks for the kind words. I'll definitely keep you updated. I wonder how many Realtors made the call and then blew him off when he said his wife was a realtor?

May 15, 2008 02:49 PM
Sal Poliandro - Helping People Win
RE/MAX Properties - Ridgewood, NJ
Broker Associate

Hi Linda,

    I'm not a gambling man, even though I was in Atlantic City, NJ this past week to see Brian Buffini live for the RE/MAX RSN Network. If you didn't see it you should check it out through Mainstreet. Great Stuff.

May 15, 2008 02:51 PM
Gary McAdams
GMAC Schwartz Property Sales - Key West, FL

Keep going back and eventually you'll get the listing.  I got one where the husband is a Realtor.  Be careful though.  You will be under a microscope the entire time.

May 15, 2008 02:52 PM
Sal Poliandro - Helping People Win
RE/MAX Properties - Ridgewood, NJ
Broker Associate

Hi Barb,

     That is an interesting question. What makes an inactive Realtor? If you haven't had a closing in the last 6 months, year? I'll bet that if we removed all the "active" Realtors that don't have a closed transaction in the last year there would be a bunch less Realtors. I asked him a bunch of questions about her marketing strategy to which he basically replied, "her broker isn't charging us". Life lessons ring true... you get what you pay for!

May 15, 2008 02:54 PM
Sal Poliandro - Helping People Win
RE/MAX Properties - Ridgewood, NJ
Broker Associate

Hey Gary,

    Glad to see that I won't be alone. Was her husband an "active" Realtor? Microscopes don't bother me. I'm looking forward to selling this home.

May 15, 2008 02:56 PM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

I have tried to market to FSBO only to find that the seller is licensed. I remind them that, even if they are inactive, (no broker affiliation) they are required to disclose on all advertising that they are a owner - agent.

As the seat belt cop sign says - Fess Up, It's the Law (ok, he really says buckle up)

How did your appointment go?

May 26, 2008 12:47 PM
Kevin O'Shea
Coldwell Banker - White Plains, NY
White Plains, NY Real Estate

Good luck, I hope there is no divorce over it :)

All the best!

 

May 26, 2008 02:47 PM
Sal Poliandro - Helping People Win
RE/MAX Properties - Ridgewood, NJ
Broker Associate

Hi Mike,

    They have been putting me off and some personal things came up. I am still optimistic! I'll keep you posted.

May 29, 2008 03:52 PM