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Are you trying to sell a house like Disney sells a movie? DON’T, it doesn’t sell anything!

By Todd Clark - Retired

Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

December 22, 2010 07:23 PM

This past weekend Disney put out a movie that I actually wanted to see. Well, originally I wanted to see, but have now since decided that I don’t. Tron Legacy came out and I really wanted to see it with my son, but Disney in their infinite wisdom never put Tron out on DVD for sale or for rent.

Disney and selling your house, what can you learn

This made it so I couldn’t go back 25 years to my youth and see the movie again to fill in the gaps in my memory from the film and also show my kids the movie, so they could actually understand what the new one is about. By doing this, Disney has made me not want to see the movie and unless they put the first one out on DVD, they aren’t going to get me to rent or buy it when it comes out either.

So, how does this relate to real estate? Twice in the last two weeks I have come across listings where it says in the showing instructions: “Write offers subject to interior inspection” What? You want my clients to write an offer on a home they haven’t seen? You do realize that half of the home buying process is emotion, right?

All three of my clients that emailed me about that house when I sent them the showing instructions said “Nevermind”. They have done the same thing to that listing as I have done with Disney’s Tron. Are you losing your clients thousands, if not everything, by making it impossible to see what we are paying money for? My kids wouldn’t understand Tron Legacy and my clients don’t understand putting money down on something they may not buy.

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Tni LeBlanc, Realtor®, J.D.

Mint Properties, Lic. #01871795 - Santa Maria, CA

Tenacious Tni (805) 878-9879

You make an excellent point Todd. Although I think I may have walked out on the original Tron. I was very very young though. In fact I may have been watching it as an embryo, considering that I am all of 19 now. So, maybe it was more like I just turned around. I would like to see it again too without belly vision.

Dec 22, 2010 07:31 PM

Ginny Gorman

RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI

Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Todd, Disney is pretty crafty about what they do so i wonder what is up about that non-release? whereas the listing agent appears to just want to double end the deal there- i've never seen showing instructions like that one...let's start a FB petition to turn Disney around on this one?!

Dec 22, 2010 10:30 PM

Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA

Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD

301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

I never understood the first Tron and I don't intend to give it a try for this new one. .

I bought a house before before without going inside. It was a foreclosure with a armed squatter. .I was the only one willing to take the chance and I would've made money flipping it even a year later...

Turns out that he only needed $1000 and he was out . ..he even cleaned the place for me.

Just stopping by to wish you a Merry Christmas. .

Dec 22, 2010 10:30 PM

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

Todd, it's funny that you're writing this as I'm just about to finish up a week at Orlando and have been to a few Disney World parks the last few days. Compared to many, many years ago - I,m seeing some wear and tear on the Disney property. Not quite like it used to be, but still doing a very good job.

Dec 22, 2010 11:32 PM

William J. Archambault, Jr.

The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Todd,

"Write offers subject to interior inspection" I've sold lots of properties this way! Even bought properties sight unseen, but not even one home!

"Tron Legacy?" I've never heard, or more likely don't remember "Tron."

Merry Christmas!

Bill

Dec 22, 2010 11:42 PM

Pam Sitterly

RE/MAX VINTAGE - Magnolia, TX

CRS Magnolia-Tomball Texas

Writing offers subject to interior inspection is unusual, but not unheard of. I think those houses are geared more for sale to investors, who are business-minded and leave their emotions at home.

Merry Christmas!

Dec 22, 2010 11:54 PM

Rob Thomas

Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN

Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Todd....I haven't seen that type of listing yet. I would have a hard time writing an offer on something I couldn't see! Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

Dec 23, 2010 12:38 AM

Larry Bettag

Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL

Vice-President of National Production

What a boon for your kids. First Mickey....and then Santa....oh the joys of being young! Merry Christmas!

Dec 23, 2010 01:09 AM

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®

RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI

Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I never even heard of Tron before and my hubby couldn't believe it! Oops!

Dec 23, 2010 01:57 AM

Richard Strahm

American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA

Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

We had one of those listings around here. What a surprise -- it didn't sell . . .

Dec 23, 2010 02:13 AM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I've actually seen people make offers on properties sight unseen when we were is the selling frenzy back in '06 but now forget about it.

Dec 23, 2010 03:13 AM

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS

Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA

South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I see this approach more and more. Are they hoping you'll miss something when you do view and inspect the property?

Dec 23, 2010 03:40 AM

Christine Pappas - REALTOR®

eXp Realty - Willoughby, OH

When You’re Ready To Move, I’m Ready To Help

I can't believe what I just read! That's crazy! What type of properties was this on?

Dec 23, 2010 03:59 AM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

Christine, that is what was sad, it was a nice single family home. I can tell you if they do get an offer it will be a lowball from an investor. It will be sold as a house and not a home and the owners will lose thousands!

Dec 23, 2010 04:20 AM

Michelle Gibson

Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL

REALTOR

Todd - Wow, do listing agents really think that buyers aren't going to want to see what one of the biggest investments of their life is going to look like on the inside?

Merry Christmas!

Dec 23, 2010 01:05 PM

1~Judi Barrett

Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK

BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

I would never think of writing an offer on a home sight unseen unless it was a low-ball offer assuming the property was in the worst condition..

Dec 23, 2010 02:53 PM

Rodney Mason, VP of Mtg Lending

Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 - Atlanta, GA

AL,AR,AZ,CA,CO,FL,GA,IN,MI,MS,NC,NV,SC,TN,TX,VA,WA

I don't recall ever seeing the original Tron movie. It looks like Disney did release the DVD in 2000, then a Collector's Edition in 2002. They are are Amazon, but very pricey. With Disney usually so on top of everything, you do have to wonder why there was not a big DVD push of the original.

Like the house in your offer, this makes you wonder what is up. With the first one not being a box office smash, you wonder if Disney wanted potential viewers of the new movie to not be turned off after seeing the original. With an offer, maybe the listing agents thinks a buyer who signs contract would be less likely to back out even after seeing the inside of the home.

Dec 24, 2010 01:37 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Todd - you drew a good comparison between the lack of effective marketing by Disney(a rarity considering how masterfully they typically market) and "subject to inspection" real estate marketing. Of course, this type of listing is common in the residential income market but for a single family home it's crazy. Whenever I see one or a client will ask about one of these listings, everyone just shakes their head in disbelief. Even with limited inventory, it raises a red flag! Come on sellers and their agents --- get real if you want to sell your home....

Dec 24, 2010 04:04 AM

Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR

Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV

Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Todd - I never heard of Tron - I must be too young. ;)

I have sold a couple of homes sight unseen. My mother-in-law bought her family home in Bay Area Ca after driving around it and peeking over the fence.

It happens, but you are right - sells for less.

Dec 24, 2010 01:44 PM

Jane Becker

Keller Williams Home Team AdvantEdge - Worcester, MA

CRS,ASP,ABR,CBR,CDPE,LMC,E-PRO,GRI

Not sure I agree with the analogy, but if I follow correctly: Tron the first was not a good film, had they reminded you of it, you might not want to see it. In real estate, if you see that house, you might not want to put the offer in the first place. I guess that this is just another way of doing business.

Dec 24, 2010 03:19 PM