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Should a Buyer Broker GUESS how much it will cost to fix that?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Godzyk Real Estate Services NH License 033394

Could it really cost $20,000 to repair this garage door? Well... Let me tell you a story. I met this seller last fall but he decided to sell his home on his own. Here we are 6 months later and it is still not sold. This Manchester NH home needs some work. But is less than 15 years old. The seller looked online and choose an asking price hoping to sell his home quickly and save some money.

 

 

He told me a horror story of how many Buyer Agents "tore his home up" with their comments in front of him as he showed them around his home. He said he knew those agents work for the buyer, but come on? 

 

He told me that "he may not know everything" about selling his own home, but knew when a buyer agent said it would cost $40,000 to redo the home, "they were crazy or had no clue how much it costs to re do a home." 

 

He did not have the money to renovate the home. He just wanted out. He had learned first hand why he needed a good listing agent. He told me that one agent put in an offer for their buyer. Then when they had the inspection, they asked for $20,000 to replace the garage doors. I asked $2000 and he said no, $20,000......

 

 

He needed help, he knew it and also knew he wasted more time and money than he ever could save trying to sell it himself. I showed him the comps. We went over values and then we went over what he could do that would cost little money, just some elbow grease to improve the way the home shows to buyers. He asked me to ban that buyer broker. That will be a story for another blog, but i did tell him that let me handle her. That selling a home is business and that it is my job to handle buyer brokers and get his home sold. He is his "to do list" and we will get it sold soon enough. 

 

 

Perhaps the MOST IMPORTANT message is to share with every consumer that my philosophy is simple, provide more personal and professional service to guide my clients through each step of the buying or selling process. All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest. Those that hire me, find a dedication like no other.

 

To CONTACT Scott Godzyk please call 603.661.2121 or EMAIL: Sctprop@aol.com .

 

About the Author: Scott Godzyk is the Owner/Broker of the Godzyk Real Estate Services in Manchester NH. Proud to be locally owned and operated with 32 years of experience, Scott is a leading Agent for Listing and Selling Homes in this area.We are Full Time Agents ready to serve all of your Real Estate needs. Servicing Hillsborough, Rockingham, Merrimack and Belknap counties. 

 

    

Comments(19)

Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Nice post,  I really like the spell checkfunction on active rain.

Feb 28, 2019 06:08 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Scott. There is a lot going on here. A stubborn FSBO is one thing but a Buyers Agent elevating costs is beyond the scope......

Feb 28, 2019 06:09 AM
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Good Morning Scott Godzyk 

In my opinion, it is bad business for a Realtor to be quoting prices AND it is equally bad business for agents to be disrespectful of the seller, again, my opinion.

Feb 28, 2019 06:11 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Scott Godzyk that happens more often than it should....and what a shame....you'll control that from happening...you'll find a buyer who will be reasonable...

Feb 28, 2019 06:13 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Scott,
One of the risks of FSBOs is all of those buyers (and their agents) who think they can pull the wool over their eyes with ridiculous offers.  EVERYONE needs representation from a professional.

Feb 28, 2019 07:42 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, Scott, for sharing this story.

In our area, it is easy to get estimates on garage door repairs or replacement.

Feb 28, 2019 09:05 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I hope you were able to get it sold for him.

Feb 28, 2019 09:46 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Scott Godzyk - It is amazing how some buyer brokers will ask for the moon.  On one of my listings, the buyer broker asked for $20,000 for a new deck. I got an estimate of $2500 to make minor repairs.  We all know what they are doing...!

Feb 28, 2019 11:11 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

$20,000 is a hefty estimate for garage door replacement.  However, there will always be the occasional entity that tries to inflate prices to their advantage.

Feb 28, 2019 01:23 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Scott, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Feb 28, 2019 01:35 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Scott- it sounds like another case of don't offer advice you're not qualified to give. 

Feb 28, 2019 06:10 PM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Interesting post, however, many times DIY's fail to complete their projects. They often don't have the knowledge, tools or experience to be successful. Yet, they're others who can and do achieve success.

A knowledgeable and experienced real estate agent could easily determine an estimated cost to repair most properties and if not immediately, has access to the tools to provide a fairly accurate estimation of repairs. So, experience regardless of the industry is so essential. 

When unsure about selecting someone to complete a job for you, what are your primary elements to be satisfied? KET or knowledge, experience and tools! You might pay a little more but you'll be satisfied. 

Feb 28, 2019 09:19 PM
Carolyn Roland- In Delaware and S. Chester County PA
Independent architectural histor'n - Wilmington, DE
Carolyn Roland, GRI, CRS

Scott- I tell sellers that the more knowledge they have before putting a house on the market, the better. We are now dealing with an estate with 9 heirs who have claimed they don't want a pre-listing home inspection because "it will be opening a can of worms". I would much rather know ahead of time if, for example, the wiring is safe, than find out while the house is on the market.

Feb 28, 2019 09:39 PM
Peter den Boer
Atlanta Communities - Woodstock, GA
MBA,GRI, Associate Broker, Realtor

Wow. I like to leave cost estimates to the pros. I don't mean agents, I mean contractors who do the work every day.

Mar 01, 2019 05:42 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Great experience your shared with us. I hope we all take note.

I am a Real Estate Agent, not an Attorney, CPA or remodel contractor. I refer my customers to the appropriate professional to get accurate information.

It is easy to get an estimate on repairs, then the seller can proceed accordingly.

Thanks

Mar 01, 2019 08:10 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Many sellers are very sensitive about critisism of their homes..must approach diplomatically. It sounds like this guy 'wanted out' without any prep work --that's another challenge in itself!

Mar 01, 2019 03:03 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Thank you Peter Mohylsky, SoWal Expert , but perhaps an email or private message. The blog was not ready to post, it was in scheduler to finish at a later time but seemed to post. oh well... glad i made you laugh

Mar 02, 2019 02:17 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Remember that show, Scott... Kids Say The Darndest Things? Well, so do many agents! But when they say it, it's not so funny or cute!

Mar 03, 2019 07:50 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Scott:

That's another great example of the issues that can arise when a homeowner decides to represent themselves. There are just so many ways things can go wrong!!

Jeff

Mar 04, 2019 04:30 PM