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If the House has Issues...Are you a lazy Realtor®?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas

If the house has issues, will there be anymore discussion? I truly think that depends on several things. If you are honestly out to find the right home for your Buyer then you have probably listened to their reactions about the house in the first place. Or, are you one that says, "well, you certainly do not want to deal with this!" Lake conroe house with issues can still be desirable

Here's my "what if"...

What if your Buyer loves the home with the absence of the issues? Let's say it has foundation issues. Did you just say, "oh well, we will find you another?" Or, did you question your Buyer? Did you say, "this issue can be repaired and to your liking if this house is the right one for you!"

Realize that if your client has seen the "right" home yet it had too many issues to overcome that it might just be your fault the home wasn't purchased?

What if you had answered with, "all issues can be overcome and if this is the home for you,  I say we address the issues till it's all worked out!"

Do you suggest they keep it on their "short list" and study the "disclosure" and then begin to communicate with the Sellers? Or, do you simply walk away?

Many a home sale has been squashed with the disappointment of one single possibility! Is your attitude Positive or Negative? Do you leave room for the door to be opened? Do you give all alternatives to perfection? A good Realtor® will explore, question, negotiate just about anything to provide a successful transaction for their Buyer.

And, have you ever asked yourself, "could I have done more?" after a client goes MIA?

No matter what the structure, there is a perfect match for the home.

Listen to what your clients say and then Hear what they mean.

Never be the one to close the door on a possible match! Do your due diligence and explore all possibilities. You will make more money in the end and end up with many grateful clients!

Good luck!

Comments(33)

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Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

Deb, your posts are always reflective of your thoughtful nature; enjoyed the thought.

Nov 06, 2011 11:38 AM
Pat & Steve Pribisko
Keller Williams Greater Cleveland West - Westlake, OH

Deb, you are spot on.  We have a home in escrow right now that has some issues.  But, this is our Buyers' dream home (after looking a approx 50 homes).  The issues can be overcome.  And, we can now see the perfection of this home for this family!

Nov 06, 2011 12:08 PM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Okay, all of you! It's a change of picture! I want to warn you all that I may be blond next week. I love change. I just love it. I can't ever predict where it's going but it's sure fun to guess.

This photo is from a wonderful photo taken at ActiveRain Dallas, this summer.

To your left is a good friend, Joni Staples and to your right (your right of course) is Kerrie Greenhalgh! Kerrie is our very own ActiveRain Sweetheart! Kerrie, that fills our life with joy. So does Joni.

The other photo was taken on an Alaskan Cruise two years ago. The photographer said, "jump" and I followed instructions. I just love life and will continue to live it with the most gusto I have!

Check this out...this is where my headshot came from. Beautiful ladies, huh?

Nov 06, 2011 12:38 PM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Deb,

You're right of course. Sometimes the buyer just needs that qualified counseling that a Realtor can give.

Rich

Nov 06, 2011 12:43 PM
Pam Hills
Innovative Artistry - Kendall, FL
ASP/IAHSP- Stager Miami, FL, Creative Minds Innovatively At Work

Dear Deb - Yes, what beautiful ladies!  I came over to say hello & read your post & almost suggested but no button because it was featured :))!!  Congratulations!

Nov 06, 2011 12:46 PM
Anthony Daniels
Coldwell Banker - San Francisco, CA
SF Bay Area REO Specialist

Most homes in sF have issues.  Many Realtors in sF have issues too.  Laziness is certainly one of them.

 

Nov 06, 2011 01:13 PM
Steve Stenros
Poway,La Jolla,Del Mar,Mira Mesa,Carlsbad,Escondido,Temecula - San Diego, CA
CREIA MCI, ICC, ACI Home Inspector,San Diego

Deb, if your clients were to buy this home, your closing gift should be 50 gallons of paint!

Nov 06, 2011 01:57 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®
I was thinking I had seen that shot before! :))) I like change too! I have brown hair now! :)) anyway... Issues are just issues. The majority of the time they can be worked out -- but we can't work it out by going AWOL!!
Nov 06, 2011 02:17 PM
Sharon Alters
ONE Sotheby's International Realty 904-673-2308 - Jacksonville, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Deb, first of all, you look great! Second, if there is interest in the house, then I will address the problems and we have even gotten quotes for issues. With all the info out there, the buyer can make the best decision. Sometimes, they are wilingi to work through the issues because it is the right hosue for them.

Sharon

Nov 06, 2011 02:32 PM
Stacey Smith
Keller Williams Realty - Aliso Viejo, CA
Your Orange County Beach Cities Realtor

Love the new pic Deb... Very pretty lady!! :) Usually once my buyers get all the disclosures from the TDS to all the inspections I usually let them decide... Our job is just to make sure they know of EVERYTHING affecting the property. If they want to take it on or not is completely up to them.

Nov 06, 2011 02:34 PM
Peter Pfann @ eXp Realty Pfanntastic Properties in Victoria, Since 1986.
eXp Realty, Victoria BC www.pfanntastic.com - Victoria, BC
Talk To or Text Peter 250-213-9490

Hi Deb,

Many times the right locations, come with homes that have issues...... as you can't fix the location, we always look how we can fix the house(s) in those preferred locations...

Nov 06, 2011 02:37 PM
Barbara Bartell-Kamp
Keller Williams NY Realty - White Plains, NY
Westchester County NY Rentals, Condos, Coops, Home

Your first example is something I just experienced a few weeks ago!  I have a client here in Westchester County who does not want to spend very much in our "expensive" area. I did find several houses to show her.  One she loved as soon as she went in..All on one floor, nice backyard. THEN, we went to the basement. There was some water on the floor, AND, the back brick wall foundation was splitting! Her boyfriend who is somewhat of a contractor knew immediately that was a major issue.  The listing agent was there (open house), and said the seller was going to fix it and was looking at contractors. We went to see other houses, but she kept saying, I want something like that. I told my clients that I would stay on top of the listing agent and see if there was any progress in getting the issue fixed, while we see if other houses come on the market. 

Nov 06, 2011 02:49 PM
Steve Warrene
Your Town Realty - Lower Burrell, PA
Pittsburgh Realtor North and East Pgh.

Deb, I just got done reading a great blog about feedback by Jackie Connlley-Fornuff.  Upon hearing the feedback provided it would make great sense for both agents to talk to their clients to see if what the feedback issues were could be fixed.  So instead of giving feedback and moving on, we talk to our clients and ask "What if we can fix or find a solution for whatever the issues are, can we put this deal together for the buyers and sellers?"

Nov 06, 2011 09:30 PM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

 

I’m very careful about influencing my clients based on my judgment. Sometimes, as we uncover their hot buttons, sometimes, having the issue come up is a definitely walk away. Then, sometimes buyers depend on us to evaluate the severity of the issue.

 

Nov 06, 2011 10:44 PM
Charlie Dresen
The Group, Inc - Steamboat Springs, CO
Steamboat Springs, CO e-Pro

Our job is to be problems solvers more often than not, and giving alternatives and not simply taking the easy route "on to the next listing" is the best solution in some cases. Knowing your buyer and listening to what they are saying between the lines can make all the difference. Some buyers are easier to "read" than others, but the more ideas and information we can share with clients, the more value we provide to them.

Nov 06, 2011 11:22 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Alternatives to perfection - negotiate a solution if it is the right house.  That really sums it up nicely.

Nov 06, 2011 11:48 PM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

I'm working with a client right now that has issues with a house and we've gone over all the details to work out how to get them solved.  I'm hoping they'll move ahead with an offer in the next day or so.

Nov 07, 2011 01:44 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

In your example about foundation issues, that was always an easy objection to overcome in the Dallas market as foudations had either all been fixed, or were going to be fixed (same things about termites). However, in Austin, you mention foundation issues and people wince.  What's that?  They think the house is beyond repair. It's a perception thing because it doesn't happen too much here because of the limestone and rock.

I've tried to get people to understand issues like that and offer to get experts, but many just shrug it off.

Nov 07, 2011 06:59 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Deb--wowza!  isn't if fun to change it up??  gotta love it, so long as the "foundation" stays intact (internal, not external--you know like loving life)! Great feature--no surprise. I am all over this. My husband and I were talking about the nuances of being successful and reading people, and you can't really teach that, you've got it or you don't. And it sure helps in this industry. Don't sweat the small stuff...and it's ALL small stuff.

Nov 07, 2011 03:22 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Deb  Of course, it is our responsibility to share our expertise with a buying client.  Howver, we must also support thir decision

Nov 08, 2011 07:28 AM