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Selling A Long Island Home By Owner? Maybe Not.

By
Real Estate Agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103

For the third time in as many days, I found myself in one of my go to places for decorating or staging jobs.  It's a huge warehouse environment with a vast and ever changing inventory of goodies to sift through.  Yesterday, while waiting for my client to meet me, I was aimlessly wandering around, finally focusing in on a display of inexpensive jewelry, selling to benefit Leukemia research.  With more than a little Dolly Parton in me, I'm admittedly, shamelessly attracted to bling and this was a display of delicate, classy looking pieces with the look of diamonds.

man with moneyOut of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a hand written note advertising a home for sale.  At the end of the seller's message was a simple two word, "NO BROKERS!"  In the current environment I was more than a little surprised.  Somehow, I'm guessing, the owners of the property don't understand the ramifications of this very difficult selling environment.  In the hay day of our seller's market there were people who successfully sold property on their own, without benefit of representation by a broker.  Some of them saved the commission but realized a lower selling price, actually costing them money, others did well.  But that was years ago and the landscape has changed.  With an ever shrinking buyer pool, finding viable purchasers requires out of the box thinking and extensive marketing, coupled with integration into the multiple listing service.

I wish that seller well, but think the prospect of their finding just the right buyer who can afford the property, navigate the mortgage market, the appraisal process and get to the closing table are slim.  I suspect, if their plan is really to sell, they'll wind up listing their home and leaving the marketing to the professionals.

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About the author:

Geri Sonkin is a Licensed Broker Associate/Stager/Decorator serving Long Island sellers and buyers for over 24 years.  Areas of expertise include Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens and Brooklyn.  Specializing in resales, new construction, co-ops/condos, waterfront homes, estates, short sales, rentals and staging your home to sell for the most money the market will bear.  For more information: www.LongIslandsBestHomes.com  For new construction: http://2274Woodbine.GreatCustomHome.com   516-425-6098  

All text and graphics contained herein Copyright © 2010 Geri Sonkin & its licensors. All rights reserved.

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Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

I'm not sure those sellers know what they're up against, but I'd hang on to their number........they're going to be needed a professional soon.........go for it Dolly.............I mean Geri! 

Have a great holiday weekend!

Jul 02, 2010 11:28 AM
Geri Sonkin
Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY
Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert

Thanks Roger.  I do think people who have sold on their own at any time in the past just don't realize the difficulties this market presents.  Depending upon their motivation, I do believe a broker is in their future. 

You have a wonderful holiday weekend as well.

Jul 02, 2010 12:11 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Thanks Geri, and thanks for commenting on my blogs.  Wish I knew you when I lived in NYC, would have been too fun!

Jul 02, 2010 03:53 PM
Geri Sonkin
Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY
Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert

Agreed.  Love your sensibilities.

Jul 02, 2010 05:38 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Geri:  Besides the obvious necessity of pricing the home properly, exposure is most critical in getting a home sold.  Trying to sell "By Owner"... with the obvious lack of exposure only a Realtor can give, is like a movie director putting together a movie... with a several million dollar budget, and then showing it in his or her basement.  It may be a great movie, but if nobody sees it, it just goes kerplop !  Or is it kerplunk ?  <smile>

Jul 04, 2010 06:12 AM
Geri Sonkin
Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY
Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert

Karen, what a great analogy!  With your permission I might have to use that line sometime in the future.

Jul 04, 2010 06:28 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Geri, be my guest.  Having been a Realtor, both in the Cleveland area and Northern Virginia/Maryland, and now in DFW, I must admit I have come up with an approach or two that works once in a while... <smile>  As I said... be my guest.

Jul 04, 2010 08:18 AM