Special offer

There is Dual responsibility when it comes to selling a home!

By
Real Estate Agent

This post is kind of a play off of my post from yesterday.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/967515/Servicing-will-not-sell-an-unsaleable-home

I am just trying to get some of the agitated sellers in today's market to really sit back and look at some things that they could maybe be doing better to help sell their home, rather then just blaming their agent for the reason the house is still for sale. I just want to break it down a little bit when I say SELLING A HOME HOLDS DUAL RESPONSIBILITY.

Agent's Responsibilities:

- Market that the home is for sale via advertising, open houses, neighborhood postcards, for sale sign
- Set up showing appointments respectful of the seller' schedule
- Negotiate offers/contracts on the behalf of the seller

Seller's Responsibilities:

- Make small repairs that will help home show better i.e. (put up trim, patch up holes, fix leaky faucet)
- Make the home available to be shown and try not to be home when the house is getting shown
- Get any documents filled out or signed and back to me with a key for the house ASAP
- Remove any strong odors, smells, etc. from the house 
- Keep house tidy when it is getting shown

I know as a seller you have daily responsibilities also such as working, children, making dinner, etc. and that is completely fine, but make your agent aware that you may need an hour's notice, a day's notice, or even that the house can only be shown between certian hours or on certain days. However, if you do that, also understand that if the house is trying to be shown during these "off times" that you can't show or the house isn't ready, you can not blame your agent for that. As agents we have no idea when a buyer could walk through the door and want to see a property, and you have to try your best to make the home available as much as possible. I had one listing where I had about 15 appointments made to show the home and the seller only approved 3 of them. As a seller you must always have the mind set that this next showing could be the buyer for my home. And it is realistic to think that because 1, they are most likely qualified to see homes in this price range, 2 your home fits their needs and wants, 3 they have probably seen photos of your house online and like what they have seen, and the BIG #4, they are setting up an appointment to see your house. Now I am not saying that every home that doesn't sell is the seller's fault, because there are some agents that don't do their job like they are supposed to, but my point is that selling a home requires compromise and teamwork between the listing agent and the seller.

MAIN POINT: SELLING A HOME HOLDS DUAL RESPONSIBLITY (let me know if you agree or disagree)

Comments (6)

Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

How right you are especially in today's market both the agent and the seller must work together to sell the home.

Mar 06, 2009 02:21 AM
David Width Jr.
Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Pat ~ Thanks for agreeing with me and understanding where I am coming from.

Mar 06, 2009 02:35 AM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

David, I have even gone so far as to take sellers to listings where there were needed repairs or the place was a mess...Just to give them an idea of what people were saying!  Good post.

Mar 06, 2009 03:20 AM
David Width Jr.
Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Laura ~ Thank you again for your comment. Also, taking sellers to a messy home, or a home in need of repairs, is not such a bad idea because you are taking away the spotlight from them and their property, and having them realize what they need to do on their own.

Mar 07, 2009 03:59 AM
Kayla Pearce
First Class Properties - Milford, DE
Real Estate Agent - Milford Delaware

David, you are absolutely correct. More than likely we can bring the sellers to them, but the BUYERS are honestly going to sell it! If they leave holes in the walls, dirty carpets, stains, etc.... they are going to lose their chance at selling their home! Good key points, your local readers will definitely thank you for this!

Mar 09, 2009 02:19 AM
David Width Jr.
Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Kayla ~ Thank you for the encouragement. To get people inside and to sell the home, unless the price is phenomenal, then you must keep it appealing.

Mar 09, 2009 04:50 AM