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Seller's Version of a Broker's Open House?

By
Real Estate Agent with Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International

This week Rob and I went out on a listing appointment - a waterfront home just over $1 Million. Having run comps and knowing the neighborhood, we suspected that this price was too high for the neighborhood. We were pleasantly surprised by the home, its location, landscaping and amenities, and decided that it was indeed worth that price range.

We learned that the seller had invited five agents to interview - their marketing plans, their price estimates, their approach to selling his house. Each represented a different company or brand, and a few of them were top agents likely to have a buyer for that home.

After we left the home, more than an hour later, we thought - hmmm, we wonder if the seller had planned this approach to maximize his home's exposure. Would we have attended a broker's open house there? Probably not. If we had, would we have spent that much time touring the home and grounds? Probably not. Now that we have seen all the unique attributes of the property, are we more likely to think of it for a future client, rather than just finding it in the MLS? Probably.

We can ask the sellers to come in to our office for the proposal, but would still need to see the home to properly price it and develop a marketing plan.

Comments, anyone?

Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.

 

Posted by

Sharon Simms
CIPS CRS CLHMS CRB RSPS
Coastal Properties Group
CHRISTIE'S International Real Estate
238 Beach Drive NE
St Petersburg, FL 33701
www.ssimms.com    www.coastalpgi.com   www.christiesrealestate.com
(727) 898-2582    Sharon@SimmsTeam.com

 

New Jersey Real Estate James Boyer Morris, Essex & Union County NJ Realtor
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, Real Estate - Morristown, NJ
That is done all the time in my area with homes over about 2 million. 
Jun 24, 2007 03:05 AM
Eileen Landau
BAIRD & WARNER, NAPERVILLE - Naperville, IL
ABR, CRS, e-PRO

Sharon,

That seller probably has/had a real estate license!

Smart strategy on his/her part. 

Jun 24, 2007 06:04 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

James - interesting. Thanks for adding that.

Eileen - you never know. Yes, it was smart strategy.

Jun 25, 2007 06:07 PM
Jennifer Kirby
Kirby Fine Homes - Minneapolis, MN
The Luxury Agent
How did it work, with all five of you being there? Did you each go into a seperate room for your presentation, or did you have to do it in front of everyone? Hope I'm not ready that wrong.
Jul 01, 2007 03:36 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
Jennifer - we were all scheduled at different times. I did see the broker who was scheduled after me, as I apparently was there longer than they expected.
Jul 01, 2007 02:36 PM