I've been getting a lot of showings on my listings recently, but when (and if) I get feed back from the agent, I'm hearing things that concern me. Don't get me wrong-showings-any showings are appreciated. I don't mind feedback that says they just didn't feel it or it wasn't as appealing as 4 others we saw in the same price range. My problem is with the agents who may be straying a bit too far from what their buyer wants, or worse yet, have no idea what the buyer is looking for other than perhaps a price range.
A home that clearly is listed with 3 bedrooms, gets shown to a buyer NEEDING 4 bedrooms and the feedback is-they need 4 bedrooms. Did you think I forgot about one? A home that is 6 or 7 miles from Colonial Williamsburg, gets feedback that it's too far away. How close can you afford to be? A 7700 SF home gets feedback that it's too large and doesn't offer enough storage. I'm not quite sure about that feedback but it is what they said! Guess what Mr/Mrs agent-7700 SF is an awful lot of house. If you are living in a 4000SF home and mention downsizing, lets not look at a house that's twice as big! My guess is the buyer said let's look between 1.2-1.5 million, and the eager buyer hit the ground running while spending the yet to earn $30K commission in her head.
I got feedback the other day that started with a hearty laugh,cackle or chordle as to how I could possibly have arrived at the selling price and what in the world was I thinking when I priced it. Never did she mention anything about the house. Mind you, this was a driveby on a vacant house. She didn't qualify it as to what it might or might not have that her buyer was looking for. But she had been there before, and it was vacant so obviously I want it shown! It is the only house in the neighborhood on 2.2 acres of level land, all brick with a detached 3 car all brick garage with @600 finished SF above it with a bath and a half, and a salt water in gound pool. My subsequent CMA and explanation of pricing to her should have proven without a doubt as to the value the home has. Granted if her buyer did not want all of those obvious things, they won't see the value they represent, but that doesn't mean they DON'T add value!
My suggestion as a matter of etiquette and professional courtesy is to never question another agents pricing until you can do some type of a CMA to qualify or disqualify it. Remembering that the seller prices the home, hopefully within the range I suggested. if not, then blame me for listing it too high, but still-I don't set the price, the seller does. The same goes for a buyer. I don't blame the agent for bringing me a low offer-the buyer probably came up with that despite what my buyers CMA might prove.
As a matter of courtesy to the buyer, find out what they want before showing them a gazillion houses! I know not all buyers know until they get to see a few. Happens all the time. They might even change their minds (several times!) or perhaps the husband and wife who have lived together for 20 years, seem not to have had the conversation as to what they want or can agree on. I realize all that, but they will appreciate your knowledge and expertise in your market if you take a little more control, use a little humor, and spend a little more time with them before jumping in your car. If there is a new agent in your office, give them some advice. They are eager to show homes but haven't mastered the take control aspect yet!
Thanks for reading my post!
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