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Update:Neighbors of mine went fsbo

By Bob Southard

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Atlas Realty Service, LLC Ga Re lic. 266576

July 25, 2007 12:43 AM

http://activerain.com/blogsview/152010/Neighbors-of-mine-went

After all of the dust settled from neighbors "offer" they decided they didn't want to deal with it anymore. I got the email to call them to day to come list the house.

Since I was the one who was actually trying to help them sell the house fsbo, there were no other choices when they decided to list. There really is no downside to helping people. I don't let myself get drug in to doing a lot work to sell the house. I'll just help with general advice,offer to guide them throught the contracts when they get an offer, have a lender (my wife) prequalify buyers, etc. If they did find a buyer on their own maybe i can get some good referrals out of it or maybe generate some mortgage business out of it.

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Dave Sulvetta

Dave Sulvetta, eXp Connection, Gloucester County Realtor - Gloucester Twp, NJ

Realtor

good! now sell it and prove the value of a realtor!

good luck and it wasnice of you to offer your help from the start.

Jul 25, 2007 12:52 AM

New Jersey Real Estate James Boyer Morris, Essex & Union County NJ Realtor

RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, Real Estate - Morristown, NJ

Yes it really is a last man standing kind of thing. You need to be helpful but in the process you also need to take the arrows like this one and move forward in a positive way.

We have agreed on a price with a buyer and expect to sign a contract today or tomorrow, without the "assistance" of a realtor. Please stop sending solicitations. I have reported you to abuse@forsalebyowner.com twice, so hopefully they will cut you off so you can stop bothering people.

Of course, do I believe the jerk, no will i continue to follow up, yes

Oh, I left that open e-mail address their for the spammers to get ahold of.

Jul 25, 2007 12:53 AM

Dan Forbes

Bradenton, FL

Great attitude. I am a firm believer that if you help other people, the Universe will bring good things into your life.

Jul 25, 2007 01:03 AM

Herb Hamilton

RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR

Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

It is a wonderful thing to help people. It is one of the primary motivations in the Psyche of a Realtor. However it is also what often leaves us open and vulnerable to implied agency. That when we go to far as with your above comment " ,offer to guide them throught the contracts when they get an offer, "

Jul 25, 2007 01:20 AM

Tish Shaftner Mosteller

Lincolnton, NC

Kudos Bob, you did all the right things and it worked!

Jul 25, 2007 01:23 AM

William J. Archambault, Jr.

The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Well done Bob!

Back when I had to list houses, when we still had to meet quotas, I use to take FSBOs generic forms and a plastic FSBO sign. I had my cards duplicate on sticky stock, and stuck one on the sign and the back of each form. Then I'd tell them if they need professional help call me.

It worked. They often called with the buyer already there. I'd rush over and write up the deal, giving a 12.5% percent discount off my normal 8% fee.

Then I opened my own offices. Raised my fee to 10% and swore I'd never list a house again, but some sellers still insisted. In the 10 years I maintained an office in Kalamazoo I never could drive away all the sellers, God Bless Them.

The people know if you're willing to help for free you must be great when being paid.

As I said: Well Done.

Bill

William J Archambault Jr

The Real Estate Investment Institute

http://www.reii.org

Jul 25, 2007 01:49 AM

Bob Southard

Atlas Realty Service, LLC - Kennesaw, GA

e-Pro - Cobb,Cherokee,NorthFulton,Paulding,Bartow

Herb,

Thanks for the comment. Good point about the implied agency. We have a brokerage relationship disclosure that we have the buyer and seller sign that explains our "ministerial" relationship. I make it very clear that I represent no one. I just explain how to fill in the blanks with the information their own information and terms.

" BROKERAGE RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS ACT - BRRETA

Excerpt:

RE/MAX Platinum may provide assistance to an individual (owner, buyer, or tenant) with whom RE/MAX Platinum does not have a brokerage relationship by performing such ministerial acts as preparing and presenting offers, locating lenders, inspectors, attorneys, insurance agents, surveyors, schools, shopping facilities, places of worship, and all other similar services. Under the law, performing such ministerial acts shall not be construed as creation of a brokerage relationship."

Jul 25, 2007 02:07 AM

Paul Slaybaugh

Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate

A FSBO sign is nothing more than a cry for help. Once the owners realize how difficult it can be, they'll remember who treated them right. When it comes to providing assistance for a situation where I am not guaranteed any pay, I always ask myself: if I am willing to spend time or money on personal advertising, what better advertising mileage could I get? Congratulations on securing the business!

Jul 25, 2007 02:55 AM

Nathan Blair

Salt Lake City, UT

I've begun trying this approach to FSBOs also. I don't know yet if it will work, but your post gives me confidence that it will.

Jul 25, 2007 03:22 AM

Herb Hamilton

RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR

Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

Bob,

Good form. I am glad that it works for you in your state. Would not work in mine though as Implied agency is given even though the buyer may sign saying they are not recieving it, in fact they are recieving it and thier actions are a reflection of what they have recieved.

Just different I guess between our states.

Jul 25, 2007 02:06 PM

Mike Jaquish

Realty Arts - Cary, NC

919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

"There really is no downside to helping people."

I love it! Well said!

Jul 25, 2007 02:20 PM