Could You Mow The Lawn Please?

Greg, seems like a golden opportunity. I'd have asked her if she was ready to list her house - since she is so concerned about curb appeal and property values. She must be thinking of selling. :)

Why can't you tell the owner to mow the lawn?  Have you given them the information about first impressions and curb appeal?  If they aren't a motivated seller then why are you marketing their home for them?  Tell them what it takes to sell a home in today's market and if they aren't willing to step up to the plate then fire them and don't waste your time or money.  Sounds harsh but there are plenty of people who do want to sell their homes and will do what it takes.

Actually, I have a listing like that.  It's a preforclosure and they moved out.  The next door neighbor came over and asked if I would be taking care of the lawn.  I said, "I'd like to get someone out to do it". He said,  Great, because I'm getting ready to sell my house and I don't want it to look like crap...I said, I'd be glad to help him with selling he house too and he said great!   I paid for the $45 to have the lawn mowed and took another listing AND got two offers on the pre foreclosure...

In the case of a homeowner that won't properly present their property,  you should have a sit down with them and let them know that you can not continue to represent a property if they are not willing to show it properly.  Let them know that people will take off $2000 for a lawn that is in disarray...that it costs real money on their offer NOT to keep the lawn and home up. No, you can't make them take care of it,  but you don't have to represent them. 

In some towns property owners can be fined for not keeping up their yards, that could be trash or overgrown lawns and shrubs. 

yopu should mow the lawn yourself or get someone to do it. the neighbor is right..

Homeowners MUST play an active part in the marketing of their house......THAT INCLUDES CURB APPEAL!!

haha - the graphic to type in is 'jujube'.....remember that Seinfeld episode, too funny!

Great opportunity! Mow the lawn, take a picture and send the neighbors a mailer: The Grass is always Greener with Greg!

I have had 2 of these this year, it makes it hard to sell the place when it looks so abandoned.

I would be telling my client that they have to put forth an effort to sell as well.  It looks to me like you do not have a motivated seller and your time might be better spend elsewhere.

Tough to sell a property that's so bad the neighbors have to call you about it. Can't imagine too many buyers are going to be dying to get into it or give fair offers on it. I'd offer my own services to mow/maintain the lawn for the seller or find someone to do it for them.

Here in Arizona we don't have too much of a problem with our lawns needing to be mowed.  LOL.  But the owner definitely needs to keep the curb appeal if he wants offers.