Normally I don't bother to contact FSBO at all, but yesterday morning I did. It was not for a listing, but was a property I personally had an interested in. The place had one of those typical red yard signs in the front yard; the kind we Realtor's can't stand to see. A white mailbox was mounted to the top of the sign with info flyers inside so I grabbed one. The phone number identified the owner and I proceeded to give him a call. Lucky me, I got him on the first try. With the conversation beginning, I just assumed the standard buyer attitude. Don't share any information, remain somewhat silent after asking a question and try to get the answers I wanted. This skillful technique is one I acquired first hand from all the daily buyers calls I regularly field.
Well here is what happened; I was told he would call me back in a few hours after working out who would meet me, show the house and when. He explained he was too far away to come there plus there was a family member who lived nearby. Maybe she would meet me, maybe he would meet me, but in a few hours they would know what to do. I never got a return call so by 5 pm I left a voice mail. At 7pm that night, the call was finally returned. Only to let me know that they are now going to list the home with the neighbor across the street that happens to be a Realtor. I was told that he would contact me shortly. It is now 3 days later. I still have not heard back from anyone. I have driven past the house; it still has the FSBO sign in the yard today. At this point I have actually lost my initial interest in property. My enthusiasm just fizzled because of the lack of immediate follow-up, which was critical to keeping me interested.
You see, I am a buyer too, even if they didn't know I was a Realtor, they blew the chance to sell to me. They mismanaged me; I was a buyer lead to them. I now have experienced buyer frustration first hand. This certainly proved again why many FSBO end up listing with a Realtor, hopefully better chosen than picking that Realtor neighbor across the street. When I took this photo he was home and did not even bother to come across the street. This FSBO did not want to devote the time and effort required to sell me this house. Initially it may have sounded like great fun and more profitable to avoid paying a Realtor's commission, but obviously they are changing their minds after only a few weeks. Once someone's personal time gets intruded upon, the fun of selling a house goes away fast. If you don't have the time to take the call, advertise, and make the appointments, it is not going to sell. If you don't know how to make the property look good, it won't sell, and finally if you don't know what questions to ask a buyer you might just loose one that actually could buy. That was me! As a buyer, I learned I did not like not getting called back. I really don't think they picked the right Realtor because he also did not call me back. My big unruly buyer attitude has firmly kicked in, if they do ever call I am no longer interested!
Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com 
RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599
Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate
for visiting and commenting on my blog post!
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It's good you documented this in your blog. You will remember it forever, and give better service to your clients in the future because of your own experience!