Top 10 list of things listing agents WANT to tell their sellers but DONT!

Here are the top 10 things listing agents want to say to sellers, but don't ...

None of this is made up, and I know many agents will be offended, and for that I am sorry!

1.      "I know it's hard for you to believe, but as professional Realtors we actually do know more about selling your house than you do."

You might be a lawyer, engineer or doctor,  ... but as a licensed, highly trained full-time REALTOR, we do this all day long every day. And just like we'd never presume to tell you how to do your job, we REALLY don't like it when you presume to know more about selling houses than we do.

2.      "You have a nice house, don't get me wrong, but it's not anything really special."

We know you live there and have your emotions tied to your home, but as Realtors, we see hundreds and hundreds of homes every year and trust me, yours is ... ok. There is absolutely no reason it should be priced higher than other comparable homes in the area. None. Zip. Nadda. In fact, if you want it to sell in the current market, it should actually be priced a bit LESS ...

3.      "Your upgrades don't deserve the extra amount you want added to the price."

We're glad you've added crown molding everywhere. And paid to have Faux painted walls. Newly carpeted  rooms. Your new toilet seats are great. And we're really glad you sanded out the dog pee stains in the hardwood floors and refinished them. However, none of your upgrades add a single penny's value to your home. In the new economy, new windows, nice flooring and a newish roof should be considered standard. Buyers today demand a whole lot more before they are willing to start paying premium prices. They expect designer kitchens with custom cherry cabinets, recessed halogen lighting, new upscale appliances, solid granite counters and more. They want totally upgraded baths with Jacuzzi tubs, tumbled marble, and if they didn't get it they would just deduct from the price anyway

4.     "It's nice that you collect things. We're selling your house, not your stuff, GET RID OF IT."

You're moving remember, so pack all your collections away. Now. And the talking fish needs to be the first thing off the wall followed by all the family pictures and put them in a box ...

5.      "Agents are willing to do open houses, because they get lots of prospective buyers - who want to buy somebody else's house, not yours."

Open houses REALLY are not an effective way to sell your home.  Even though they sometimes work, they are the least effective way of getting the job done. Trust us.

6.      "I really don't want or need to be your dogs best friend.

I especially don't like what he's doing to my leg. And the smell in here is really bad. Please keep Fido in the garage during the time you are selling your home. And the doggy bombs in the back yard gotta go as well.

7.     "Don't make my job harder than it is already!

Don't even THINK about showing your home by "appointment only."  Don't want a lock box? Trust me, your stuff isn't that valuable. Don't want buyers after 5:00 p.m. at night? You're kidding, right? If a buyer can't get in when it works for them, they are gone.

8.     "STOP SMOKING IN YOUR HOUSE!!" This is the 21st century unlike the 50's & 60's  most people Do not smoke.

        9.     What is that smell???

Whatever it is... it's gotta go ... and please don't cook with curry until you are in your new home ... or fry fish right before people come to see your home ...

10.     "We're worth our commission."

Every cent of it. Selling a house is actually hard work. And, for those of us who market extensively, it costs a lot of money that we pay out of pocket up front. You really do get what you pay for, you are not going to get full support, service and top-notch professional representation at bargain basement prices. There's a very good reason many discount brokerages are going out of business in the current economy. Anyone who is willing to take a cut-rate commission structure is simply not going to be able to make enough off your listing to do the types of advertising necessary to get you top dollar, and when you ask me to cut my commission, it is equivalent to me asking you to forego a paycheck or take a cut in your pay. I would never ask you to do such a thing so don't ask me.

Well ... there they are - I know you will have some of your own to add ... please, be my guest!

Example Resource Box

John Manrique is a Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker, and VP of Brooklyn Operations for Appleseed Realty Gmac Real Estate... ; graduated from Baruch College earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Business/Marketing, John has been in the Real Estate business for over 25 years, in many different capacities including owning his own Real Estate franchise at one time as well as working with Foxtons for 6 years 
(http://brooklynhomesforsale.org)

This article is available for reprint with author's resource box intact and all links live and click-able. Copyright is reserved by author.

On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 11:30 AM, John Manrique <Jmanrique@appleseedhomes.com> wrote