Everyday I have the same routine for checking and calling on expired listings. I have tried everything under the sun but the most effective method for me is reaching out and touching someone.

Most days that means I spend the morning on the phone and on occasion I actually get in the car and knock on the door. I really enjoy some of the conversations I have with these people. No scripts just real people and real conversation.

I once had one of my listings expire, my seller was going to re-list with me in the spring. We thought it would be fun to see how many letters she received from other agents. Of course she saved them for me and we were not impressed with what we saw.

Many of the letters were generic (boring) then there were those that insulted the seller by stating that her Realtor didn't know how to sell her home. My seller was so insulted by these letters, I swore off letters in favor of a more personalized approach.

Anyway, as I finished up my expired calls today, one appointment, 2 answering machines and two who told me that they are listing with another agent who has "a buyer for their home" are you kidding me....and you fell for this! Okay, maybe they do...

But I wonder if I told every potential seller that I had a buyer for their home what happens when that buyer doesn't materialize right away? I'm sure there must be an excuse for this....but this can't be good for the relationship.

In my opinion, real estate is about building relationships. Trust is something that takes time to build and is established through honest and open communication. I will never tell you what you want to hear, my information is solid and is based on facts.

I may not get all of the listings, heck I don't even want all of the listings. I take my time and seek out quality listings with those sellers who are interested in whats really going on in the market. Once we have established that I can do my job and sell your home!

Take Care,

 

 
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25 Comments on I Have A Buyer For Your Home

JUL
15
2008
309,997 Points 31 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Suzanne,

You sound like a Realtor with great patience. Working expireds is no picnic. I send out about 1,000 letters a month and would never consider bashing the competition. I let the seller do that for me!

Great blog!

9:55pm • #1
290,650 Points 52 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Lying is not a good way to get listings or inspire long term trust from clients.

9:59pm • #2
134,240 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Greg,

I was surprised at some of the letters, the negative tone turned off my seller. Of course, she was only listing with me. ;)

Hi Jim,

Absolutley! I go crazy every time I hear this line, but I wish them luck it only takes one buyer. :)

10:26pm • #3
JUL
16
2008
683,036 Points 145 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Suzanne:

Ah, the old "I have a buyer for your home" routine. It's been aroudn for a while. Amazing how some folks fall for it. Sounds like you have a pretty successful approach to getting expireds to list with you. Thanks for your insights.

Jeff

1:35am • #4
140,401 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Suzanne -

I never understand why a seller would fall for the line "I have a buyer for your home". Happened to a client of mine (expired listing) right after I got the listing. A Realtor showed up at her door, claiming he had a buyer for her home. She took his card and gave it to me. I contacted him to schedule a showing, surprise, surprise, never received a call back. Shocking, I know. : -)

 

6:15am • #5
182,834 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

I cringe everytime a trainer or sales manager suggests we call FSBO's or Expired's explaining to them we have a buyer and need to preview the home.  Reguardless of how slow the industry may be I would never weasel my way in the door with that bull.

6:20am • #6
151,838 Points 19 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Suzanne, Good for you for being so proactive.  I am the worst at calling expired or FSBOs.   I had a seller take their house off of the market last year around the holidays and put it back on with me in the Spring.  Same thing, we looked at all of the letters that were sent to the house.  My seller was so funny because some of the letters were pretty in depth as to what kind of marketing the agents provided and my seller said, well, Audrey does more than you do.  I say if you have a buyer for the listing you better pony up with one.

7:05am • #7
134,240 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Jeff,

Yup, they still fall for it and often. I would question why they are just bringing the buyer forward now...some of these homes have been on the market over a year! :)

Hi Sandra,

I have done that too! I have had the agent schedule the appointment and then they conveniently cancel...makes you wonder. :)

Hey Dan,

I feel the same way, I have my own ways of doing things. Trust is important and for me if I can get the listing based on facts then I have done well. My clients know they are in good hands. :)

Audrey,

I was hoping to get some good information. I was pretty disappointed and yes my seller was too. Thanks :)

7:39am • #8
356,800 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

I think one must be true to themselves first.  I am on the same wave-length with you -- honesty is the best policy.  I think it is important to build trust with our clients -- that is what will make you their agent for life! 

9:40am • #9
134,240 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Joan,

Thank you, I wouldn't do business any other way! :)

10:06am • #10
2 Featured Posts

There's one particular company here in my town that uses this approach ("I have a buyer for your home").  Incidentally, they're known far and wide as taking on the bottom rung of agents.  They're old school in that they feel deceiving the public is OK as long as you get the listing.  When the ends justifies the means, our industry as a whole suffers. 

10:11am • #11
134,240 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Guy,

I see it quite often, I agree the whole industry suffers. Like I said, I would get the listing because of what I bring to the table. My sellers are informed the expectations are realistic no surprises. Thanks :)

10:22am • #12
307,059 Points 8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Suzanne, I had a listing expire on me and during the extension agreement being signed the seller got a call with the "I have a buyer for your home" she covered the mouth piece and asked me what to do I said tell them to come over the next day and take the listing. She signed my extension form and we planned to wait a day to update the listing, I told her to give the "new Listing agent" a 3 day listing to show the house to the buyer they "HAD". After the appointment my seller called me and said they would take the listing for less than 6 months, so she gave the agent my card and said then go ahead and make arrangements with my broker to show the house to the "buyer you have for my house". Steve

10:25am • #13
134,240 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Steve,

I love it when a seller calls their bluff! Now if they truly had a buyer a 3 day listing would not have been a problem. Don't these agents realize this is their reputation on the line! :)

10:30am • #14
JUL
18
2008
297,600 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Suzanne, I can't believe people still fall for that old "I have a buyer for your home" trick. As a Realtor, we realize how infrequently we actually have the buyer for our listings. Helllllooo........I think I need to add this thought to my website. ;-)

Pepper

9:17pm • #15
JUL
19
2008

I hate to think that other Realtors would say thoughs things.  Even though I know it to be true.  Thanks for sharing.  Mike 

3:45am • #16
134,240 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Teri,

You know it still happens and like Dan said sometimes its learned through sales training, yuck! ;)

Hi Michael,

You and I both, but it is still happening I guess I had one two many the other day sent me over the edge. LOL! :)

7:47am • #17
258,326 Points 24 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

I'd rather have fewer listings if I had to lie in order to get them. I'm not too agressive with the expired listings. I'm working on it.

9:53pm • #18
JUL
24
2008
3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Sue, I know agents that do this. It's okay to say you would like to preview the home to see if one on your list could be a possibility, but to lie and say you have a buyer is just unethical. Too bad sellers fall for this. You, like me think alike here, our integrity means more to us.

12:23pm • #19
JUL
30
2008
199,489 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

If you have to lie to get a listing then .............. ethics still rule.

9:50pm • #20
AUG
01
2008
281,811 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Suzanne... I stay away from this people generally speaking because they ARE a waste of time.

10:32pm • #21
AUG
19
2008
215,643 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Some Real estate professionals memorize scripts but they didnt really read what they memorize. FSBO's can be a pain in the you know what. I have tried many times no luck. Maybe you can give me some pointers. Great post.

6:36am • #22
AUG
20
2008
167,474 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Can I get an AMEN?!?!  It's amazing how much smoke comes from some agents.  Integrity and being genuine makes you the winner in the end for sure.  If your relationship starts with LIES, where does it go from there???

GOOD POST!!  This should be the start of a SELLER BEWARE column!

4:50am • #23
OCT
05
2008
233,831 Points 27 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Suzanne,

Great post !  I love the comment "they have a buyer for my home...LOL" .  Overpromising and underdelivering gets people in trouble.  I like your approach about building relationships.  Where do you get the phone numbers ?  Just search online ?  We send letters and it has worked for us... we have a targeted letter and a tarteted flyer for expireds... I say we may pick up one or two listings a quarter for our approach.  I have yet to try to door knocking approach or phone call... I just figured for this strategy our soft marketing/prospecting approach works pretty well.  You are right though I have seen many other letters which are all pretty bad.  ~ Chris

9:14am • #24
OCT
13
2008
405,396 Points 72 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Suzanne...

It's so funny how each and every market is different. We'd have an expired letter program in place for 14 years. It's a huge part of our bread and butter. It just goes to show ya RE is local, very *loco :)

*That is not a typo.

TLW...ROAR!

6:39pm • #25

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Suzanne Sands-Somerset, MA Real Estate

Somerset, MA

More about me…

Century 21 Associates Realty

Address: 230 Maple ave, Swansea, MA , 02777

Office Phone: (508) 677-3266

Cell Phone: (508) 496-1717

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