Special offer

Channel Your Inner Martha Stewart While Singing Along with Gloria Gaynor! Advice For Sellers

By
Real Estate Agent with Cherimie Crane & Associates

 

 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Seller,

I am sorry life has thrown you a curve. It isn't the absolute best time to sell your home. The next few months will likely be extremely stressful for everyone in your family. You will get advice from everyone from your mail person to the dry cleaner.

Watching the evening news will not only make you want to scream, but may cause nightmares. Turn it off. The reporter from Whatever City, Whatever State, isn't likely a local expert.

It is time to channel your inner Martha Stewart. Your home is now a product you MUST sell. Tell yourself that everyday. It isn't easy, but it is an absolute must. Your PRODUCT must appear better than all the others at a similar price.

Buyers from all sales industries are now comparison shoppers to the extreme. So you must take NOTHING for granted. Wash, iron, disinfect, organize, polish, REMOVE with a vengeance.

If you have children, involve them in the process. Give them specific duties, they will gain ownership rather than resentment.

If you have pets, good luck.

No seriously, if you are one of those pet owners that is POSITIVE your home has no pet odor, think again. I have a dog, I consider myself to be immaculate with him; however, I am not a fool. It is time for Sparky, Fuzzy, Spot, and Princess to go on vacation.

Call your parents, NOW.

You can and will survive. Will you sell your home? If you partner with an expert. If you join forces with a Realtor who is more of a listing agent than an inventory agent. Interview Realtors, you will be amazed at the level of professionalism.

Realtors are THE ONLY ONES that know your local market. They can give you advice and direction that will be invaluable to your transaction.

Play the theme from Rocky, sing along to Gloria Gaynor, get yourself psyched up, you can do this with the help of a REALTOR.

Sincerely,

Your Local Realtor!

Posted by

 

Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Beaufort South Carolina, We know Beaufort. Our little coastal town has something for everyone.

 

843-812-2090

 

Cherimie Crane
Cherimie Crane & Associates - Beaufort, SC

Eric,

That is my theme song:)

Integrity Mortgage,

Yep...can't hide it no matter what sellers may think!

Karen,

Realtors can sometimes have tunnel vision, very DARK tunnel vision.

Feb 19, 2009 01:07 AM
Chris & Maria Skrip
RE/MAX 1st Advantage - Beaufort, SC
Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Sun City SC

Can I just say "AMEN!"  In a buyer's market, such as we are in, these are very valid and accurate recommendations to sellers!

Feb 19, 2009 01:22 AM
Cherimie Crane
Cherimie Crane & Associates - Beaufort, SC

Steve,

I ask my sellers BEFORE taking the listing if they are prepared to work everyday to reach their goal, if they aren't then most likely I am not the Realtor for them!

Maria,

Thanks for stopping by!

Feb 19, 2009 01:24 AM
Miranda Moser
Century 21 Bamber Realty - Calgary, AB
Calgary Real Estate Agent

It is very true!!! I love my dogs, but, I know that after a wet walk they stink! :) Some people just need to be reminded that not everyone loves animals and that they have to make their home as attractive as possible.

Feb 19, 2009 02:05 AM
Cherimie Crane
Cherimie Crane & Associates - Beaufort, SC

Miranda,

Same here. I go to great lengths to keep my home as pet clean as humanly possible, but I know that non pet people can smell a dog a mile away:)

Feb 19, 2009 02:07 AM
Charlie Fraser
Charles Fraser Realty Group - Hilton Head Island, SC

As Realtor's we are having to shift how we make a listing presentation, and your blog was poinginate and to the point. 

Between yours and the link below it hits home how we will survive and still have happy customers.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/931240/Shoulda-Woulda-Coulda

Thanks for sharing.

Feb 19, 2009 02:14 AM
Connie Goodrich
Keller Williams Realty - McKinney, TX
CRS ABR (McKinney Realtor)Texas

Great to the point but laced in a sweet presentation regarding the realities of selling a home.  Love those pets but not everyone is a pet person and some pets are just one people animals are a distraction to the home.  Great advice. 

Feb 19, 2009 02:37 AM
Cherimie Crane
Cherimie Crane & Associates - Beaufort, SC

Charlie,

Thanks for pointing me to that post!! It was great.

Connie,

Excellent point!

Feb 19, 2009 03:23 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I wrote an article about selling a home where pets live, and I got a ton of hate mail from pet owners who thought my suggestion to remove or minimize the presence of pets in the home was the equivalent of shooting them.

elizabeth weintraub sacramento short sale agent

Feb 19, 2009 03:36 AM
Cherimie Crane
Cherimie Crane & Associates - Beaufort, SC

Elizabeth,

Ouch. I have always had pets, but when selling a home it isn't about liking, loving, or wanting them. It is about appealing to the most buyers as possible. I know how hard it can be, but sometimes it has to be done.

Feb 19, 2009 03:40 AM
Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

that is great!  But I know you really wouldnt send your dog away! 

I like the end where you say the realtor is the expert... My biggest pet peeve in our industry (mortgage side as well) is that No one believes us.. Mom and dad who have owned 2 or 3 homes in their lives and have not moved in 15 years know more than we do... that is a big part that has always bothered me!  Sure, take the advice of the woman that cuts your hair, I am sure she is the most knowledgeable person on the planet!

Feb 19, 2009 03:40 AM
Cherimie Crane
Cherimie Crane & Associates - Beaufort, SC

Robert,

You are absolutely right, I wouldn't send my dog away, I would take him with me:). And it is tough competing with the self titled experts!

Feb 19, 2009 03:42 AM
Gail Szeluga & JoAnna Siminerio
Coldwell Banker Realty - Manalapan/Marlboro - Manalapan, NJ
Fostering Community Spirit Through Real Estate

Will you sell your home? If you partner with an expert. If you join forces with a Realtor who is more of a listing agent than an inventory agent.

Love that!

More of a listing agent than an inventory agent.

I'm going to use that.

I think the point you make about YOU being a dog owner (and lover) is a fabulous way to get the point across while still commiserating.

 

Feb 19, 2009 07:54 AM
Mike Mitchell
Kee Realty - Saint Clair Shores, MI
REALTOR (R)

Hi Cherimie, I love this post, great job! So very true.

Feb 19, 2009 09:44 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Cherimie, So true. There are many home that I go into that has the "Rover all over" odor... Good post...

Your building consultant in Spring Hill, TN ~ Michael

Cherimie, I am going to have to give you Da Boot...


Featured in Blogs Happens...

Feb 19, 2009 08:01 PM
Cherimie Crane
Cherimie Crane & Associates - Beaufort, SC

JoAnna,

Unfortunately I have seen many "inventory agents" lately. It saddens me but it only makes my service that much better.

Feb 19, 2009 11:14 PM
Cherimie Crane
Cherimie Crane & Associates - Beaufort, SC

Mike,

Thanks for reading!

Michael,

rover all over!!!! I am going to use that one!

Feb 19, 2009 11:28 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Cherimie,

Love this post..tell them like it is!

Feb 21, 2009 07:00 AM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Hi Cherimie, I've not had to use an Ionizer for foul odors yet. Here is a great blog by one of our stagers here on AR named Sue Eldredge who explains it all. It seems like a miracle worker to me.

Hope this helps any future problems w/ those unpleasant odors!

Feb 22, 2009 03:00 AM
Caren Wallace
Premier Property Group LLC - Tualatin, OR
Portland Caren Real Estate

Cherimie, you always entertain! This is a great letter for all of us to copy and share with difficult sellers. You are right about skipping the people who don't plan to get the home in order!

Feb 22, 2009 11:15 PM