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Would You Have Turned "IT" Down?

After receiving a call for a possible listing I gathered all that was needed for my listing appointment. With my Seller's Presentation Booklet (now so full I fear I will have to move on to a bigger portfolio or weed out unnecessary documents), the listing agreement and profile sheet typed out, the Seller's Real Property Disclosure form ready, the tax records, building permit from the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting site showing that an addition and alteration was done...but no detailed info, tax payments and so forth. Quite a bit of info and documents that I managed to get together in the course of three hours.

The Listing Appointment:

Beautiful upgrades from top to bottom!
Pleasant folks with personality to kind of match with mine...cool.
Very informative and received all the info I presented to them gracefully

UNTIL.......:

That the "mold" that was under the flooring (before they installed other flooring) was cloroxed....
And then the other one said..."no it wasn't".
I ask, "Was the electrical work done by a licensed electrician?". No. And got very evasive and a little touchy.
And then they say that they will hand it over to a Relocation Company if it's not sold in 60 days.

After going through an hour and a half of the tour of the house, the details, the marketing and so on ....we discussed the pricing. That was before the Relocation Company was even mentioned. Having a sixty day listing at a 10k over the last sold, the evasiveness on 'issues' and most of all.....NOT BEING UP FRONT to begin with really turned me off.

It became a matter of loyalty, honesty and ethics.

It began to eat away at me and my gut feeling told me to .....

What would you do?

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate on 06/12/2008 07:34 PM

Comments (71)

hawaii home seller, hawaii homes for sale, honolulu hawaii homes for sale, hawaii real estate, hawaii real estate agent, ethics

Originally posted at: Hawaii Real Estate, Hawaii Home Buying, Honolulu Housing Market, Hawaii Home Selling, Hawaii Relocations, Hawaii Military Relocations, Mililani Real Estate, Hawaii Homes Market: Would You Have Turned "IT" Down?

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71 Comments on Would You Have Turned "IT" Down?

JUN

2008

Sally, It sounds to me as if they are hiding things (and getting a bit confused on their "stories"). I'm not a realtor but I don't believe I would work with them -- only to find out it probably wouldn't pass inspection (?)

Sounds like a nice listing to have. I would ask them to kindly...

Disclose the mold issue and the electrical issue....
Have the seller sign a Status Change form upfront that would lower the listing price 15K if it doesn't sell in 2 weeks.

If they disagree, move on. May not be worth the trouble.

Run Sally Run!!!! This is a no win situation with possible legal consequences! When I hear MOLD, 60 Day Listing and evasive answers I say no thank you and RUN!!!

The next one will be priced right, great people and a 1 year listing! Good luck!

Mike Kelly

Sally:

Even with the disclosures, it would probably be a "bear". Moving on would probably be the prudent thing to do. Mold can be a wicked thing to deal with and selling it difficult even if disclosed. Wonder what else they neglected to tell you?

Follow your instincts, you won't regret it.

All the best!

I agree run from it if they won't disclose the things you found out in the first visit.

Sally, there are many other listings you can have and be comfortable with. Walk away from it now...!

If the Avg DOM is greater than 60 days the odds of selling it overpriced are not good. I don't like how this relationship is starting out Sally. Just my gut feel. The mold thing is probably the thing that your gut feel is saying stay away from this one.

I'd definitely move on. They are not respecting you.

I would definitely say no. If they were hiding all these things from you now, who knows what else they were. Seems like more of a headache than anything.

Sally, Smile ( you have a great smile ) and tell them no. Unless they disclose all that is necessary to sell and give you time in order to do that, don't take the listing. What's the point?

It does not look too appealing....make sure they send you a fully completed Seller's Disclosure before you even think about listing it. I would ask them to fill it out as standard procedure before you even get the listing agreement ....then again it probably is a big waste of time as you realy do not have enough time to properly market it. If you really beleiuve you can sell it..ask them for at least 6 months. Other option have them pay for a mold inspection up-front and present it to any possible buyers....and have them sign automatic price reductions every 15 days if there are not enough showings. OR if you do not feel good about it...RUN!

Sally,

I would have turned it down. It sounds like way more trouble than it's worth and a possible lawsuit down the road that could affect you negatively too and from the sounds of it, it's not going to sell during the listing period so the most you might get out of it is a few buyer leads that you could sell other properties to. I've walked away from many listings that gave me a bad feeling. Our time and energy AND reputation and license is just too valuable to take on things that don't sit right.

Jo

Sally:

Can you say NEXT?

Jeff

Is this one really worth your time and money? Seems to me like your relationship started out on a bad note......

Tina in Virginia

Hi Sally - I would say thank you to them for inviting me in to see their home, and then I would say no thank you.

Evasive behavior, overpriced listing, 60 days until it goes to the relo company - too many other sellers who are open and honest and really want my services to waste on that listing.

Ann

Sally- What is your gut telling you? Always go with your gut. When I don't I am always reminded sometime later that I should have:)

Sally, your reputation and license are certainly not worth the time and trouble this sounds like it could be? We don't have to take everything. Like Katerina said, go with your gut.

Sally, I would run - not walk! My license means too much to me - never mind my integrity. If they aren't honest with you, then what else are they/could they be hiding AND you could never trust them at their word! ;-)

Sis - I'm proverbially parked. I really enjoy seeing input on these kinds of things by you folks.

As soon as you get your immediate highest thought...which was your stomach flipping over, it was time you let it go. Any thinking after that is your brain coming up with reasons to make it work. Go with your first thought.

Sally, you know in your gut the right thing to do. Sounds like you did it. It is hard to work with relocation companies and then have so many days to sell it and give them 35%.

Sally I think you should listen to you gut.

You are going to spend valuable time and money, and in 60 days if the house is still on the market (and at 10K over priced it probably will be) they are going to go by-by and not even give it a second thought.

Aloha Sally,

I liked what Kevin said about following your instincts.

By all means, what they told you about the mold become a disclosure issue for you.
As said previously, if marketing time is more than 60 days (at their price) and the listing is not, then why take it?
Our list prices (in SoCal) are now lower than the prior closed sales, pricing it too high will mean it will sit, pretty obvious.
There is no reason (imho) not to tell the seller you can't help them with the situation and the price.

I do wish that agents would tell sellers no thank you more often.

Sally - I don't know how your disclosures are but that mold can be a big deal here - be thankful you found out now not when you had an offer ready to close and then big issues that caused the deal to fail

Wow....lookie at all the feedback! I'll be back shortly....jumping in the car to go home..

Sally - I think you have good support here! walking away is easy with good friends by your side!

No way would I take that listing! I have a relo listing right now (but it's spotless-no mold, ever!). I only have 60 days, which is next to impossible. BUT, it's priced very well, AND the relocation company is going to re-list it with me, if it doesn't sell. And even better news is, it's already been shown. That's amazing, considering I have a TON of listings right now, at great prices, and I'm not even getting any phone calls =/

Sally - I am guessing that you said no. I hope so, it would be a burden not an opportunity.

Woo Hoo, The results I would expect is that this property could well get an offer on it but I won't work under those constraints. It is over priced and has issues that have to be resolved. These two issues need resolved before coming to market. If they would be willing to list at the correct price, for no less than 180 days. Doubting they would be willing , it is a gracious Thank You and All the Best in listing with someone else.

You called out these issues but there are just as likely other issues they haven't told you about.

JUN

2008

Carole: And knowing me....I pick those 'signs' out. The inspection would surely tell all but it's the evasiveness and seemingly not wanting to do the right thing...and by law....the disclosing of information pertaining to the property.

Angela: It could have been an option....in the beginning...

Mike: I sure had to think hard about it....:)

Sheila: You know....I wondered the same things!!!

Ah...Kevin...you must know me already :)

John: I love beginnings that reveal all :)

Antoinette: Yeah...like my car driving away...

Gary: I have just about had it with mold...you know that. But it was more than that...it was all I mentioned.

Mara: Ya think? :)

Van Dyke Group: I just sat and wondered.... until I had my cup of coffee this morning :)

Kim: Time & Honesty...sure wasn't that here huh?

Michael: Those are great suggestions....but your wondering and suggestions look like all I was thinking and feeling...until....

Jo: I would have thought you would have come up with no less than a matter of fact answer...yup. :)

Jeff: What do you think? :)

Tina: First impressions do mean something don't they?

Ann: Funny...I thought all the same things :) There are many people I could be helping and spending quality time....

Katerina: Go with the gut...the gut...the gut. :)

Audrey: I don't? :) I say....

Teri: That was straight to the point...oh yeah...I like that. :)

Hey lil bro: I like this tooo :0 You see, discussion can be a cool one like this...I really don't like those "debates" that are really just control issues of who is right...duh. :)

Lizette: What was my brain really telling me? I'll tell you guys in a minute :)

Missy: The gut feeling is the best thing to go by when in doubt...or wondering about anything. It is what us old folks use instead of impulsiveness :)

George: You think they would just leave me flat? Uh....I do believe you're correct!

Lynda: It is with this experience that I learned yet another valuable lesson...:)

Thesa: I too ...am grateful that I found out....no matter how evasive people try to be you can get no better feel for a person when asking them to be honest :)

Julianna: Ah....but friends who speak honestly and straightforward is what I crave :)

Lisa: I really don't even want to deal with trying to actively market a property ...knowing that I am on a 60 day time limit...and of course the not being up front to begin with.

Virginia: Okay...the answer is coming up :)

William: When I spoke with you this morning......I hadn't called them yet...and the rest of what happened follows....

EVERYONE:

I definitely hold myself in high esteem...knowing that I do the right thing and do not ignore my gut feeling when it is SCREAMING that something is wrong.

I called the seller this morning and said that I appreciate the opportunity to be 'interviewed' for listing their home but I do not feel it is in my best interest to be in this situation. I left it at that and was told that they understood and thank you for my taking the time.

1) They in no way told me..or even hinted to me about a 60 day listing & relo company would take over after that. I DO NOT appreciate deceitfulness to get me over there.

2) I spent three hours getting the packet and documents together and if I had know first hand what this would have entailed I do believe it would have been an option for me to have time to think about it FIRST.

3) I make it clear that it is by law that they disclose anything pertaining to the property that they know of. If there is other than straight forward answers I WILL NOT stand by while people try to dress up what are the facts.

4) I take pride in my work and my profession and will not run around catering to people who do not care how much of my time, money or effort is wasted if THEIR house does not sell within a limited time frame. That is unfair and surely showed me that there would be no consideration.

5) They also said that the relocation company would sell it themselves (hire their own agent) ...so that pretty much would leave me out in the cold. brrrrrrr.

6) Oh....the whole kicker was ..... the relo department won't even talk to them (they said) until they've tried selling it for 60 days.

Bottom line....dishonest from the beginning...evasive during and not a care in the world how they would be USING me.

Is there no conscience?

Sally, you did what I'd do, which is to run the other way! There are enough good listings out there - leave this one for someone else to learn on.

I agree with most, turn and run.

Sally, I would insist on your price and then have a pre-inspection. Depending on your average days on market, 60 days may be okay if it shows as well as you have indicated...but it won't sell if overpriced!

I would move on and buy myself that beer:)

Morning Sally,

My first thought was to decline the listing. Then I thought about and read the comments.........first gut feelings are usually the right ones for me. RUN!!!!! and be glad you did!

Pat: It was in my best interest to move on...I thought I'd just rather pay attention to what's on my plate right now :)

Angela ...me too :)

Diane: Sorry...but I disagree. When someone 'leaves out' the fact that it will go with a relo...the mold....and the electrical and on and on ... it set the arena for what was to come and what kind of people I would be representing. I do not need to work in that kind of environment nor do I want to.

Neal: I'll buy you a beer and watch you enjoy it :)

Hal: You just don't know.....

EVERYONE:

I forgot to end my explanation above with:

When I got off the phone...that nasty feeling went right away! That's when you KNOW...you made the right decision!

What a mess! Definitely go with your gut in that situation.

Sally..One Word.....RUN!

BRIP: Thanks....I did. :)

Jeremy: I did...but was polite about it. they 'understood'.

Sally, When you get that funny "ish" feeling. Say politely, 'I'm sorry, but I don't think I will be able to help you", and walk really fast to the car.

Don't you just love surprises. I am sure if you were to list it, you would find a few more surprises.

JUN

2008

What a surprise, I wouldn't waste my time.

Good Luck.

Andy Laughlin

Connect Realty

I do believe I did do what I needed to move on...I hope others don't get caught up in this.

Did you feel totally "liberated" when you walked away? That's how I feel about listings I decline. 'Wish I'd learned how years earlier.

Margaret: Oh, yeah....that was the word I needed....."LIBERATED"!!! Thanks...I feel even better now :)

I think you made the correct choice.

Thanks Mindy and Jay...I know I did...the moment I was hanging up the phone a big relief whooshed over me :)

JUN

2008

Sally - I think you've found yourself in the majority here...know your gut and RUN!! I had a beautiful listing once in an exclusive area and it wasn't disclosed that the well had run dry and had only been "patched" to work until the house sold. I was holding an open house and one of the couples who came through asked me if the water problem had been solved.

I cancelled it when I asked the sellers about it (which wasn't disclosed) and they said that it wouldn't be their problem after it sold. Yikes! You didn the right thing!

You already know what to do. Your gut is telling you loud and clear what path to take. Listen.

Sally - I would not list their home! If they are not going to be upfront with you on everything from the start, there are only problems awaiting down the road - thanks, but no thanks on this one!!!

Linda: That was bad! How can these people think there are no reprocussions?????

Kelly: Already did it ... and I am the better person (agent) for it :)

B & B: No kidding! It was "done" right before I wrote this.... and it allowed me to express myself without ranting...but giving facts :)

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