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You hired who? The one that said…Just because they offered to do it for 1% less?

Recently, I met a seller that was planning to sell their property across from one of my listings. He is a very nice gentleman, but the house did need some updating and probably some staging to get the best price for the home.

But, what the other agent, who had just walked in to his house, said something that just floored me, and yet he still hired her to list his home. I asked him what he thought needed to be done for the house to get sold, and then I would give him a few more pointers just to make sure it sold fast and for top dollar.

He said it needed some painting, new windows and just some general updating and he thought that should be about it and I suggested also have it staged. A staged home sells faster and for more money almost 100% of the time, in my humble opinion. I showed him some listings and the difference staging makes and the difference in what they sold for, unstaged and staged, in the same neighborhood. He was floored, but not surprised when he saw the pictures.

I was talking to my clients and they said he decided to hire another agent that came over and talked to him. They also said if this person had told them what she had told the neighbor, not only would she probably have been punched, but she would have gotten thrown out the door before she could have gotten the next sentence out.

What did this agent say to this seller? "How do you expect to sell this home with all this garage sale furniture?" Yep, they were there when she said this and couldn't believe their ears! They had to walk out because they got mad and didn't want to say something that they would regret. But, in the end he hired this (as far as I'm concerned) very rude agent all because she offered her services for 1% less than I was.

I'm not sure I could take that kind of abuse from anyone for a savings of $2,500. I've seen people get divorced over lesser comments than that! So, why anyone would hire someone so rude as to insult someone's material possessions is beyond me! Now, did I think the furniture needed to be removed to sell the place? Yes, but I went about it in a much more tactful way and suggested a home stager, and I never personally attacked him or his way of life.

So, if you are in the Beaverton, Oregon area and are looking to sell your home for top dollar, and want to be treated like you are supposed to be, then give me a call, I would love to talk to you about the sale of your home.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Photo courtesy of atroszko

Posted by Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) on 07/14/2008 10:27 AM

Comments (28)

garage sale, furniture, staging, rude, selling, seller, agents, beaverton oregon real estate, tigard oregon real estate

Originally posted at: Living Beaverton - Your guide to everything Beaverton: You hired who? The one that said…Just because they offered to do it for 1% less?

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28 Comments on You hired who? The one that said…Just because they offered to do it for 1% less?

JUL

2008

Todd: That's brutal. I wonder what this agent is like when you get a few drinks in her? Shudder to think.

Todd,

Just keep on eye on that listing and do not be surprised when it sits on the market or they call you back to list it. I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for.

We have a diverse group of practitioners in the real estate field. I've found that those that abuse eventually stop getting the opportunity to do so, they just fade away because buyers and sellers begin to realize that there is a better way.

Some look at the commission instead of the service and selling price.

It's not, but I think that's funny - with head shaking sideways - that an agent, or anyone else for that matter, would be so bold as to say something like that. There are some other agents I know that aren't "people" people. I never see them sell anything but they still have their license. They must hide out on the golf course or something.

Todd,

Can you believe what people will put up with when they think they are saving money? When the agent is that stupid and willing to cut their comission, what they are cutting is the money they would be using to advertise the home they have just listed. The really sad thing is by hiring a realtor to save 1% the result will be the seller typically looses much more money than that by having a property that stays on the market for an extended period of time and sells for less. Plus only a realtor that is not very good at negotiating and selling would work for less. Larry is right. You get what you pay for.

Don't you get what you pay for? Some money is NOT worth saving.

It's really important to hire a Realtor who is a "people" person. Imagine how she treats the buyers who view this home or other Realtors who interact with her. Rubbing others the wrong way and not being able to deal with situations diplomatically can potentially kill a deal. And remember, 1% less of nothing, is nothing.

Time is money too. When the listing expires, it is yours.

Maybe the neighbor was a to-the-point kind of guy and saw the agent's response as her willingness to tell him like it is. The truth of the matter is, there are different personalities out there and even the best Realtor might not mesh with every seller's personality. Maybe this gentleman just liked the other agent better, and the fact that she charged less was icing on the cake.

It amazes me what some sellers would do to just pay less.

Yikes! That is a seriously blunt comment to make in front of ANYONE, much less a potential client. It's a sad commentary that they went ahead and hired her anyway.

Todd,

Some people are just interested in the bottom line. Service means nothing to them. We get them too. For those, I tell them to check out the internet lenders. They won't get what they pay for, but oh well? I have always sold my service, as you do. Some people are just K-mart shoppers.

Wow. Now that is blunt. Selling a home is so stressful. I can't imagine working with someone who is that "in your face." That is not going to be a pretty transaction. I hope it is worth $2,500 to the sellers.

Todd- This is certainly a case of you doing everything right, which is why you must be frustrated. I find it very difficult to work with clients when it is ALL about the money. There is usually very little appreciation of the above and beyond services provided. So, I would say that seller, and that agent are a good match! Thanks for being an advocate of staging! Now, if we could just have you cloned! ;)

Todd, one is left wondering; isn't one? As I read your post I was reminded of what my momma used to tell me about those around us who chose to be rude and abusive. She said that if we noticed a person being mean or offensive it was a sure thing that others will notice also. That behavior certainly doesn't fit in with the guidelines for how to win friends and influence enemys; does it? BTW, thanks for recommending a stager! That will always be a good way to deal with the preperation and presentation issues. Way to go!

Todd, that sounds like the experts that they have on the real estate themed HGTV shows. I know that they encourage that kind of behavior to give the show some edginess but in real life that's just rude. I commented on this attitude on my blog a while back and since then it seems to be getting worse. Is it the market or are people just forgetting their manners? Being nice will win out in the long run.

Great blog.

Todd, annoying isn't it. We call that "buying" the listing. She bought it with the $2500. It does not say that you were not competing for the listing on a fair playing field, it says that she had to buy it to get it. Little does the seller know he's getting the representation he paid for. IF she'll sell out herself when negotiating, she'll probably do the same with his equity. And rudeness, wow...unbelieavable! Was the seller intimidated or something? People don't always make the choices that are best for them. I guess this might be an example. Hang in there, there are lots of people who appreciate value.

Todd, were we are that's called "buying the listing". And she won but not on a fair playing field as she paid $2500 to buy it. So, the seller got someone who couldn't negotiate for herself, and perhaps when it's his money, may not be able to either. He got what he paid for, hang in there. You no doubt have people in the area who will pay for results and don't have to be insulted to do so.

Todd: Maybe the homeowner was into masochism - he likes being treated harshly. Well, he'll get what he paid for. And clearly he wasn't willing to pay for quality service.

You get what you pay for!

Um, what? I am floored. My only hope is that she doesn't hold and open house because she will surely insult or scare away the buyers. There is so much more to say....

Hey Todd, it is truly amazing to hear some of these stories. On the brighter side when the property doesn't sell maybe you will be the person they call. Take care!

JUL

2008

Todd - Love your thoughts on staging!

When I sold my first home the agent offered to take 1% off the commission - I knew nothing about real estate and it seemed to be a good deal.

My home ended up sitting for 4 months in a total sellers market. Finally an agent (not my agent) told me that all the other homes in the area, which were very similar, were selling for a higher commission and why would anyone want to show mine. In the end that 1% reduction probably ended up costing me thousands. When you know better you do better - I'd never try to sell a home with a reduced commission.

Maureen just brought up an interesting point that I never considered-does going with a "discount" agent make the property less attractive to other agents? Would they really show that property as a last resort or not at all? That would seem to be a disservice to the potential buyers at the minimum and possibly worse.

What about agencies that have a reputation for being difficult to work with? I was told by one realtor that he and a few others left one company because not only was the company difficult to work for, but other realtors avoided dealing with them because of difficulties. That would mean that a perfectly good property would suffer because of this "secret".

Chris - I was thinking the same thing or what she would be like to deal with during a transaction!

Larry - OH, I am watching it and can't wait until it expires or sells for thousands less than my listings did!

PCR - The sad part is this lady has been in the business 30 years and from what I understand she has always been like this!

Gary - Sad isn't it!

Wow! I think it is now important to remember that you probably don't want this client anyway. If they base their entire beings on money... time to walk away happily...

JUL

2008

Todd - she may have been in business 30 years but I guarantee she has lost some listings because of it. Hopefully, the clients will see that they have missed out on you. We have this happen with a local stager her in Danville. She has been in business 20 plus years and she is so rude. When I was first in business her Realtor clients would call me once in a while and ask me to go in after her because she had been thrown out, yet again, by a homeowner. I could never figure it out because her Realtor clients just love her. Some people just love abuse! Kym

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