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Your house hasn’t burned down has it?

This is how the conversation went with a FSBO I met yesterday after he asked, "Why on Earth would I need an agent? I can do this on my own. You are just a glorified paper pusher that gets six percent for doing it."

Me: "Your house hasn't burned down has it?"

Mr. Seller said, "No, why does that matter?"

Me: "You can put out a fire, can't you? Then why do you need fireman to come over? You have homeowners insurance to cover the home if you make a mistake and can't save the home, right? So, of course, since you are taking on this large of a transaction, than you must have Errors and Admissions insurance to cover you if you make a mistake on the sale of your home, am I correct in assuming that?"

Mr. Seller "Uh, uh, No?"

Me: "Let me explain that I do this everyday. I admit I've made mistakes, but I haven't had to use my errors and omissions and insurance yet, but if I do, I have it. What do you have to protect you from that? What would happen if you made a mistake on the 35-50 pages of documents that you have never worked with before and I just admitted I work with everyday and still make an occasional mistake on?"

Mr. Seller's wife: "Honey, what would we do?"

This is where I left the house with my informational packet on everything a real estate agent does. I am hoping for a real listing appointment once they realize that I do a little more than push papers for my 3% of that 6% commission.

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

Posted by Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) on 12/07/2008 12:28 PM

Comments (16)

Unsing a Realtor in the Home Selling Channel

fireman, paperpusher, realtor, fsbo, for sale by owner, tigard oregon real estate expert, beaverton oregon real estate expert, short sales

Originally posted at: Living Beaverton - Your guide to everything Beaverton: Your house hasn’t burned down has it?

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16 Comments on Your house hasn’t burned down has it?

DEC

I won't even talk to a FSBO unless they ask for my help - most seem to think they know everything!

I like your objection handling strategy.

Did you say this after the first visit to the FSBO? Were you door-knocking, or on the phone?

Let us know if you get the account.

HI Todd,

Cold calls to FSBO's are usually less then rewarding, however I love the challange, don't you, Mr. Paper Pusher. LOL!

Richard, in this market I talk to anyone and everyone.

Sarah - This was a door knocking situation since I was in the neighborhood door knocking and saw that little red sign in the yard.

Todd, congrats.........you have the seller wondering! I hope that you get the listing! Have a wonderful holiday season!

FSBO are a different breed. Not the easiest once to deal with.

Todd, well have never seen that objection but I am sure you got the seller thinking. Let us know if they call you back. Of course you know that most FSBO's eventually list.

Todd - I love it. Great way to put it. Sometimes they just don't see it no matter what though. In that case... moving on to the next one :) ~Rita

Being new in town, not having a sphere to work with and get referrals, all I do is work with FSBOs and Expireds. I was lucky enough to take the Floyd Wickman SMART program one month into my carreer and I have to say, I have 3 listings and they were all EXP and FSBO, for only being licensed for 3 months, I feel pretty good about that. This is a great explaination of why people need us. It is an eye opener for sure! Thanks for sharing it!

E & O insurance by using a realtor, for clients is a lot like life insurance, you hope never to use it, but you are really glad you have it in the outside chance you may need it