A few years ago, when the market was a bit different..."Jason and Jennifer" (their names are changed to protect us...their nasty former realtors) were about to be married and bought a condo with of course, no money down. They became part of our sphere....and got our mailings, calendars, holiday presents...and their family grew....one daughter and they started thinking about a house and selling their condo. So last summer we looked at houses and they told us that they could sell their condo on their own...we explained that there was some liability there...and if was our position that any profession that the state said should be licensed and had errors and omissions insurance was not one that someone unlicensed should practice..but if they wanted to try it, they should set a time limit. We did not get it of course...they knew they could sell it....how hard could that be...apparently too hard...they didn't sell it.
We continued to keep them in our sphere and now daughter number 2 came along...we sent a baby present and congratulations and again, they decided to start house hunting. We said list now...the closer it gets to spring, the more units will be listed in your complex, the longer it will take to sell and at a lower price to match the competition. Once again, we were wrong....and they waited. Now...they decided was the "right time" and better then that they weren't going to "give it away" after all, a few months ago, a neighbor sold for a few thousand more than they wanted with a discount realtor so of course they could do likewise. Key words...a few months ago. Looking at the complex today there are now half a dozen for sale, one a healthy five figures less than theirs...which of course, how did we know is not "nearly as nice" and anyway...they really need to sell. ...and they will take anything. I explained the concept of an appraisal... and that the longer a property was on the market, the less the purchase price....NO, I was wrong, they would wait for the "right buyer." (It must be the one with cash who wants an over priced condo I thought.)
Then the e-mail had 2 last straws....didn't I know that 5 other realtors "really believed in their sellers and the worth of their condos and listed them north of the price they wanted." Oh yeah....only 5 who bought a listing...buying a listing and selling one...hmmmm...not the same thing.
THE FINAL STRAW...."We know you sell short sales you probably just want a quick sale." Short sales, as most of you reading this know, are dear to my heart....and this ___________has just hit me where he can't afford to live....so time to say good bye, wish them well and know that they will find someone who will buy their listing....and if they are really lucky....at a reduced commission besides.
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