Special offer

The Second Rat Gets the Cheese!

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Keller Williams Katy @ Cinco Ranch

I had an overpriced listing that expired after much discussion on lowering the price. When we first listed, the house was overpriced by $5,000 in a $200,000 market. Not bad enough to decline the listing, not at all.

As the market eroded, the projected sales price became $185,000. How many times I told them to lower to $189,00, I can't recall!

The seller actually yelled at me once and hung up on me when I tried to discuss pricing in a falling market. He became adversarial and told me, "Don't send me anymore market reports! If I can't sell this house at $199,000, I won't sell at all. We don't have to sell", he boomed.

"You are not angry with me but rather with the market," I replied. Sounded nice to me. Click, in my ear!

It expired and, of course, they re-listed at $189,000. I think they were embarrassed to follow the advice I gave them and it is just easier to lower the price with a new Realtor; I think this is often the case with expireds.

Would love your input on the psychology of expireds.

Julie Fuelling, www.fuellingkaty.com

Comments (11)

Anonymous
LH

There are a lot of rats these days.....desperate ones: buyers, sellers, mortgage professionals....and yes realtors....

We don't need a new mouse trap, sometimes it just hard to find the right cheese that the client likes and sometimes they don't even like cheese. Besides, most people don't like to have their cheese moved at all.

Good Hunting

Aug 24, 2008 03:00 AM
#1
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

In any market, guidance on pricing a home properly to reflect the market is a critical service that REALTORS provide to their clients.  Lately I think a lot of sellers are angry at the market.

Aug 24, 2008 04:12 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

LH, Loved the analogy and the don't move my cheese reminder.

Steve, I wish I could have diffused my Seller's anger but either I lacked the skill or he wasn't open to hearing what didn't please him.

Aug 24, 2008 04:26 AM
#3
Team Honeycutt
Allen Tate - Concord, NC

I think this is just a frustrating market not only for us but for our clients.  Jus try to present the information best as possible.  Somehow they need to remember not to kill the messenger!

Aug 24, 2008 06:30 AM
Julie Q. Fuelling
Keller Williams Katy @ Cinco Ranch - Katy, TX
Real Estate Consultant

Allen, You've got it right, it's the messenger not the message in danger. Julie

Aug 25, 2008 03:54 PM
Doris Freeman
Zach Taylor Real Estate - Gallatin, TN
Broker/Agent, 615-961-7799

The expireds are much more open to hearing what you have to say if they really want or need to sell.

Have A Great Day

Aug 27, 2008 06:50 AM
Eileen Begley
Coldwell Banker, DelMonte - Carmel, CA
Monterey Real Estate

Yes, many will shoot the messenger. Nicer to be the agent getting the expired listing. Don't kick yourself. You did what you could.

Oct 16, 2008 12:42 PM
Frances C. Rokicki
Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC - Bolton, CT
Broker-Mentor,CRS

This is all part of this market.  You now want to be the 2nd or 3rd agent in on the listing.  Some Sellers just don't want to listen to reality for the first six months.  I've had them.  They even refuse showings.  They probably could have gotten a better price, if they just let the agents in!

It's a Good Life!

Fran

 

Oct 17, 2008 12:16 PM
Lisa Long
Heather Roda Broker - Paso Robles, CA

Be glad. Who know if they get an offer if they will even accept it, after all "they don't need to sell"

Oct 17, 2008 12:47 PM
Mary Strang
Viroqua, WI

How many times we all have been there in the past 24 months as the market keeps going down. Now hearing this: I think I will wait until next spring... gee, it was not nice to blame you.

Oct 21, 2008 01:22 AM
Julie Q. Fuelling
Keller Williams Katy @ Cinco Ranch - Katy, TX
Real Estate Consultant

Eileen, Frances, Lisa and Mary, Thanks so very much for your astute comments. Guess what, I am now #2 on a listing that didn't sell; my people are still a bit overpriced and I am suggesting a banker's appraisal. The old listing, the one who yelled at me, is on his 3rd agent and still not selling. Did I let a smile slip by? Regards to all, Julie

Oct 21, 2008 06:42 AM