I just read Midori's great blog called "Pssst... Mr. and Mrs. Seller, Can We Talk?", which reminded me of something I used to include in my listing presentations. I don't know if my seller prospects much LIKED it, but it made me feel better for saying it... What do YOU think??

Dear Seller,

In my 10 years of experience, I have learned a thing or two about the selling of real estate. Like all real estate agents, I have experimented with various sales strategies and gimmicks, and I know what works and what is a waste of time and money.

I want to sell your home as much as you do. I don't get paid for marketing a home that never sells. Having my FOR SALE sign in a yard for several months is NOT good advertising for me! Therefore, please be assured that the marketing techniques I choose are those that are effective in selling homes. I have chosen not to take advantage of advertising that primarily promotes me (e.g. newspaper advertising, Just Listed postcards, ‘farming' newsletters, etc.).

There is no secret formula to selling a home. Contrary to what other agents may tell you, there are no proprietary marketing networks or magic tricks known only to them and their company. Truthfully, any competent real estate agent can sell a home that is well-priced and well-presented. If your home has not sold in a reasonable amount of time, I don't have a bag of tricks to dig into that I haven't already utilized.

That said, my goal is to hit the ground running and sell your home within 30 days. Your home needs to be in its best possible condition, available to show and YOU need to be emotionally ready to move. If you aren't, no amount of professional marketing can overcome your ambivalent energy!

I aggressively price my listings - I want the price to be fair to you, yet exciting to the market place. Your listing needs to stand out from the crowd in order to sell; that is, be better than the competition to motivate a buyer to make a good offer as quickly as possible. This means that your home needs to show better and/or be priced a little lower than other comparable homes. Bidding wars are not common, but definitely not unheard of when a well-presented and well-priced home hits the market. Assuming a 30-day or less sale, your home WILL sell at market value, even if that market value is higher than your asking price.

If your home has not sold in six weeks, I will offer you two options. First, I will present an updated market analysis with my revised pricing recommendations. If you agree to adjust your price to my recommendation, I will continue aggressively marketing your home. If you would prefer not to change your price, I will offer you the opportunity to terminate your agreement with me and we will part under friendly terms. I feel strongly that my job as your agent is to be honest and straight-forward with you, even if you don't like what I have to say. Exceptions may be made for seasonal slowdowns or unique properties, but in general, six weeks is plenty of time to sell a home.

It is truly in YOUR BEST INTEREST to price your home aggressively at the outset. The fear of ‘leaving money on the table' is almost always unfounded; the market WILL recognize an underpriced listing and drive the price to the appropriate level.

I am honored that you selected me to be your real estate agent. I take my responsibility seriously and will do my very best to exceed your expectations.

Love, Jennifer

  www.sellwithsoul.com

copyright Jennifer Allan 2007

 

27 Comments on Dear Seller... Trust me, I know what I'm doing!

Very upfront and honest approach.  You do not leave room for the sellers to come back and say that you did not explain how you work...very well written!

04/12/2007 08:01 AM by Jon Angevine Calgary & Airdrie Real Estate (Royal LePage Foothills)


I think it's great.  You're telling them what you expect and giving them options (to listen or not to listen to your advice). 

04/12/2007 08:12 AM by Jody Deeds (Solutions for Real Estate)


Great, very forthright. I do like this approach.  A quick couple of questions, please.... Does anyone ever terminate at the 6 week mark if the home has not sold? Do the sellers always adjust the price based on the new CMA  if it has not sold?

04/12/2007 08:19 AM by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)


Never had anyone terminate and frankly, I never enforced it. We definitely did the six week review (if the home hadn't sold, which it often had already), but if it hadn't sold, there usually was a good reason (unique property, sloooow market, etc.) I did price aggressively and rarely took overpriced listings, so luckily, it wasn't a problem I ran into much.

04/12/2007 08:25 AM by Jennifer Allan, Author of Sell with Soul (Sell with Soul)


Great letter and so true. Wish I had written it I would love to use it. (I won't)

04/12/2007 08:27 AM by Miriam Bernstein,Westchester County Real Estate (RE/MAX Prime Properties)


You are absolutely welcome to use it. Shoulda mentioned that.

04/12/2007 08:32 AM by Jennifer Allan, Author of Sell with Soul (Sell with Soul)


Jennifer - very well stated, leaves no room for confusion

04/12/2007 08:50 AM by Amy Laws (Century 21)


Jennifer

Nothing works as well as telling it like it is, great letter. 

04/12/2007 09:02 AM by Terry Lynch (GMAC The Kee Group)


Jennifer,

     That is a great letter. Do you send that same letter to FSBO's. Sorry if it is a crazy question, just getting started in the business.

04/12/2007 09:43 AM by Carl Berg (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc)


Jennifer,

What a great letter! Truthful, to the point and direct. Sellers should have no doubt as to where you stand and it prepares them for the best and worst scenarios. I'd like to use it too except for the love Jennifer part! Thanks.

04/12/2007 09:49 AM by Bob Volanti Fresno and Clovis, Ca Realtor (London Properties Ltd)


I never did FSBO's... but I probably wouldn't use it with them until they've hired you!

04/12/2007 09:53 AM by Jennifer Allan, Author of Sell with Soul (Sell with Soul)


Bob - go for it! And, yes, you can leave out the Love, Jennifer part if you must.

 

 

04/12/2007 09:56 AM by Jennifer Allan, Author of Sell with Soul (Sell with Soul)


Jennifer: I think it is a great letter. Very well written, concise and obviously well thought out. I'd like to see a little more about getting the home in to tip top shape, or maybe the suggestion to hire a Professional Stager to help in that process.

04/12/2007 09:58 AM by Michelle Minch Home Staging Pasadena & Los Angeles, CA (Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA)


Jennifer,

      Thank you.

04/12/2007 10:18 AM by Carl Berg (ERA Wilder Realty, Inc)


Jennifer, great post.  I have bookmarked it and gave it a high five.  Thank you for sharing it with the community.

04/12/2007 09:59 PM by Lake Wallenpaupack Pike County PA Real Estate | Karen E Rice (WEICHERT, REALTORS® Paupack Group )


Jennifer-What a beautiful letter!  You know it's funny I could have added 6 pages of conversations I have with seller's.  When I send mailings I sign xoxoxoxo!  That is awesome that you feel that comfortable with your customers.  I knew I liked you for a reason!  Oh, thank you for the mention, it is very flattering. 

xoxoxoxox 

04/13/2007 12:38 AM by Midori Miller-Daytona Beach Florida Real Estate Trainer (CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty)


I love the idea of putting the onus of the asking price in them after six weeks.  Anything will sell at the right price!

R.B. "Bob" Mitchell

ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc. 

04/13/2007 02:54 PM by ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc.


Jennifer - I loved the concise way your letter assures sellers you know what you are doing and to heed your recommendations.  Thanks for sharing!

04/13/2007 10:15 PM by June Mellor (Century 21 All Islands)


It sound great, I think I Will make make it part of my listing presentation.

04/14/2007 04:32 PM by Carmen Rivero Celebration & Kissimmee Real Estate (La Rosa Realty, LLC)


Wow, I love it!  It sums up what I am so often trying to say, but can't quite get the words together!  Do you mind if I plagiarize a little?!

By the way, you say you used to use it...do you not use it anymore?  If not, why not?  Just curious!

Thanks for sharing!

04/15/2007 02:12 PM by Jeanne Breault


Jeanne,

Plagiarize a lot! You're welcome to it!

I don't sell real estate anymore; that's why I don't use it. So... please do use it, shouldn't let it go to waste...

04/15/2007 02:23 PM by Jennifer Allan, Author of Sell with Soul (Sell with Soul)


I guess it's clear we all need to write something like this to give to our clients, thanks for the eye opener.

04/16/2007 02:53 PM by Jeff LeBlanc (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)


I don't use the 6 week approach.  I list for no less than 6 months.   When it comes to a buyers brokerage I have done them for a week and disclosed that the purchaser could terminate at will.  Honesty and full disclosure has worked for me.  However; when it comes from an intelligent and attractive lady it always sounds better.  Continued success.

Realtor, Columbus Ga

04/16/2007 06:12 PM by Klaus Nicholson (Heritage Realty-Columbus Ga. Fort Benning)


Jennifer thanks for sharing. If sellers are serious then it is your job to tell them what is a fair market value.If a home sells in Fort Myers in 6 weeks you are doing very well and the home or lot must have been priced very aggressively .I think it also depends which part of the country you live in..but if your system works, then congrats. There is a lot I like about your system though.

04/19/2007 11:05 PM by LLoyd Nichols~SW Florida Homes (Right Choice Realty LLC)


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Real Estate Trainer: Jennifer Allan, Author of Sell with Soul (Sell with Soul)
Jennifer Allan, Author of Sell with Soul
Denver, CO
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