So, yesterday I had a pretty interesting and somewhat productive day on the open house front. I had a little time to kill before meeting a colleague at his open house (he was helping another agent), so I followed the signs to a FSBO open house. I've visited quite a few open houses in the last year or so, and this was the first time I have been to a FSBO. The property was really nice and had great space, not sure if was priced properly for the area where it was, but if it wasn't, I doubt it was priced outrageously!
Well, in my limited experience, I knew right away said homeowner/seller had run out of feet to shoot himself in! Aside from his reluctance to come down in the price (I could tell it in his voice when he answered my question of how much he was asking), he mentioned that he has held and open house EVERY Sunday with no offers since it's been on the market...it's been on the market since MARCH! Now I first shook hands with the gentleman before handing him my card, to let him know I came in peace and not to shake up his harmonious open house he had going on! His next question pretty much informed me what his goal was and why he had the home on the market with no offers..."What about your fees?" Instantly I felt a panic, what word vomit was I going to throw out as to make my first rookie mistake? Well, at this point, I had looked through the property and was pretty much on my way out the door, so knowing this, I chilled and simply smiled. I told him what I could in my limited power and experience. "Well Mr homeowner/seller, it will take looking at some comps among other important elements, but the fees are always negotiable, these can be discussed in a listing presentation where I can also offer you a way better alternative than an open house so we can get QUALIFIED buyers to the property and get people bidding right away...does that sound like something you possibly would be interested in?"
I wasn't met with any resistance as he hadn't been given the "hard pitch" (what do you think?) and I wasn't pushy so as to insist "Gimmie the listing when you FIANLLY wanna sell this house buddy!!"...I offered a solution with a possible alternative...we both ended the 10 minutes with a smile, and my business card had been passed to somone with a need
Ok, so on to the open house with my colleague!! I got a chance to assist a colleague yesterday at an open house. Nothing big, just buzzing in guests and making sure they signed in, that's pretty much it. Of course I was more than happy to observe while my colleague engaged potential clients and interested buyers at the property. Well, when I first walked in, I was greeted by a VERY distinctive smell. Considering this was an open house, you might think that smell was fresh baked cookies? No. Perhaps some potpourri warming on the stove or a scented candle? No sir!
Pet odor!
Yes, both the agent and I had the displeasure of smelling this odor along with doing our best to contain our displeasure that the place wasn't furnished either. This by the way, again, was my colleague doing a favor for another colleague who was not informed by the seller that the place was not furnished, and of course the smell was probably lost on the seller since they lived there with the pets and unfortunately were probably used to the smell. Now, had we not had this experience, I doubt my notion to let potential sellers know what I expect of them would have been solidified...I am now determined more than ever, to ensure potential sellers do their "homework"...even if people coming through to the open house don't buy your property, it should be noted...MR/MISS HOME SELLER YOU'RE BEING GRADED BY WHAT WE CALL WORD OF MOUTH!!! NASTY ODOR=FAIL!!! NO FURNITURE (AND NOT TELLING THE AGENT)=FAIL!!
Someone...anyone...PLEASE tell me you have something a bit less shameful and more interesting from an open house experience!!!
....Please!?
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