Special offer

Seller makes an offer!

By
Real Estate Agent

One of my listings got showed twice this past Saturday, I showed it myself & another Coldwell Banker agent showed it as well. So, as always, I called the agent for feedback later on that day after she showed the property. She had informed me that her buyer like the house a lot, and that it was in the buyer's top 4 homes of which he would choose one to pursue. As if getting 2 showings on one property on the same day wasn't enough, my seller's property had made the top 4. Not bad. I immediately called my seller to give him the good news.

 

We hadn't heard anything more after that showing on Saturday. So this morning my seller called me. His exact quote to me was " I would appreciate if you would call the other agent and ask her WHAT WOULD MAKE OUR PROPERTY HIS #1 CHOICE."

It just shocked me, why haven't I been asking this question when I get an answer from another agent saying " the property was in the top (x) ." This is such an important negotiating strategy that I will be adding to my " my little black book for negotiating."

So I have done just that and we will see where it goes from here. I just wanted to share this with other agents and sellers because this is such a great question to ask. If you are already among the top choices of a qualified, motivated, and active buyer, find out exactly what you could do to your property that would make your property their#1.

Better yet, why not ask the seller to make the buyer an offer. I know it sounds abnormal, but we are in  abnormal times.

 

 

 

Michael Wayne Jackson
Coldwell Banker - Novato, CA
Broker - Seniors Real Estate Specialist Novato

It sounds like the seller needs or should be in real estate too. That's a great closing question.

Jan 29, 2009 06:09 AM
Robin Gulledge
Remax Capital City - Cedar Park, TX
Cedar Park, TX ABR,CRS,GRI

David,

Good for you,being open and thinking outside the box will get you far in life. Thanks for sharing......................

Jan 29, 2009 06:10 AM
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

David - that is a great question!   I don't see anything wrong with a Seller providing a Buyer with an offer.  I've done it on 3 different occasions myself; 2 of them worked out.   What's the worst that can happen?

Jan 29, 2009 06:13 AM
Richard Bowman
San Antonio, TX

I had the same thing happen to me once.My seller told me to ask the other agent "what do we need to do to make you buy today" they came back with their response which was to pay closing cost and the deal was done in two weeks.

Jan 29, 2009 06:19 AM
David Width Jr.
Little Egg Harbor, NJ

That is great to know that this scenario has worked out before. I will be sure to be using this one in the future. Thanks for the comments.

Jan 29, 2009 06:24 AM
Paul Guenther - WFG Title
WFG NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY - Flagstaff, AZ
The Extra Mile Is Part Of My Regular Route!

David,

 The reason I enjoy AR so much is because of posts like yours.  it seems that the simple things that are right there infront of us and basic common sense are the ones that close the deal!  we are all looking for the great hook and all we need is to keep it simple.  This is a fantastic post that tells us just that.  Stay alert and look for an open door.

 

Jan 29, 2009 06:25 AM
Tal Busidan
Florida Relocation Team - Winter Park, FL

I just might use that line... thanks to you and your seller!

Jan 29, 2009 06:27 AM
David Width Jr.
Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Paul- Thank you so much for the compliment, it is greatly appreciated.

Tal- Please do use that line, it may help get you another closing this year.

Jan 29, 2009 06:29 AM
Mary PAUL, ABR, CRS,GRI, e-PRO,
RE/MAX Advantage Realtors, Searcy, AR - Searcy, AR

That was a great question the seller asked.  There are many different ways to sell a home, you have a great seller.

Jan 29, 2009 06:37 AM
David Width Jr.
Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Mary- Thanks so much. Isn't just great to be working with sellers that are motivated and want to actual sell their property.

Jan 29, 2009 06:44 AM
Dan and Amy Schuman
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Solon, OH
Luxury Home Specialists

David, we always ask what it would take for our listing to be the number one choice for a buyer and have also had our sellers make the buyer an offer. Having the seller make the first move can get the buyer off the fence and at least know what you stand with them. Our job is to bring 2 parties together so it really doesn't matter to us who makes the first move. Try it sometime, it can work.

Jan 29, 2009 07:27 AM
David Width Jr.
Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Dan & Amy- thanks for the comment and the advice.

Jan 29, 2009 07:33 AM
Amy Hahn
Pine Knoll Shores Realty - Morehead City, NC
Realtor/Broker - Crystal Coast, NC

I like it a lot.  Thanks for sharing, I will definitely try it.

Jan 29, 2009 08:51 PM
Janice Roosevelt
Keller Williams Brandywine Valley - West Chester, PA
OICP ABR, ePRO,Ecobroker

I've yet to do this but have been hearing more about it. I wonder if it could work for a short sale.

Jan 29, 2009 10:05 PM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

I'd have the seller sit down and write a contract.  I wrote a blog about this a few weeks back, and an agent in our area has had success using this strategy!  Good Luck! 

Jan 29, 2009 11:23 PM
David Width Jr.
Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Amy & Janice- I am going to try it myself when the opportunity is fit.

Laura- Thanks I will check out your blog.

Jan 30, 2009 12:44 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Actually, sellers making offers to buyers was not that abnormal back in the late '70s and early '80s in Houston when the Texas oil boom was going bust.

Jan 30, 2009 05:20 AM
Dana Gentry
Gentry-Jackson & Assoc., Keller Williams Bluegrass - Lexington, KY
Dana Gentry, Realtor Lexington KY

We have done a couple "seller offers" in our office - I think it is a wonderful idea... it really gets people to do something who have looked 2 or 3 times and just aren't putting in that offer! Sometimes it helps people to, excuse my language but... sh*t or get off the pot LOL

Good post! I always love hearing new ideas! Good luck!

Feb 08, 2009 01:26 AM