Nothing Personal, this house stinks, OK, it's not my house either.
I have to admit my nose is not the best "smeller" on the planet, but I still pick up odors others miss. Showing homes has always been one of those love it or hate it relationships.
I love the idea of someone selling their home and a buyer finding the perfect home for their needs. Of course we all know today buyers see more homes before making a choice on the right one. I rarely show more than 10 homes before a buyer writes a contract. Yet, I hear agents showing 20-30 homes routinely and not getting a purchase agreement.
The reason I show fewer homes is simple, I listen. Yup, that's the secret. Someone once said, we have two ears and one mouth, so we could listen more and talk less. My mom may have said that!
When I hear the number of homes being shown I always think the buyer might not be a buyer but a looker. Or,
the alternative the agent has not taken the time to define the client needs and wants properly. Either mistake can cause more work and showings. It also can create frustration on the buyer's part by looking at homes not fitting the buyer's minds eye profile.
My particular buyer has two dogs and a cat. Her current home is large, over 4000 square feet. She finds herself single again after 30 years of marriage. To say she is downsizing is an understatement. 1700 to 2000 square feet is her goal for her new home.
Her home is spotless with no pet odor, so she thinks every home should be like that, when she walks through the front door. The education was a simple sit down to discuss her needs and wants after two showings. She also vented that fact that homes stink. Lucky for her she plans on carpets and paint...so the odor will be gone. The fact is if the home isn't new it will have some type of odor. Cooking, human, pet something including some indoor plants can give off a gastly odor.
So tomorrow is her third visit to a home I showed her in the beginning. The first visit her feet barely touched the carpet. Her second visit she actually looked at the layout and room sizes. This time she wants to measure rooms to see how much it might cost for carpet and paint. I offered to have a carpet company come out and get a quote along with a painter for an estimate. That's when she wanted to do it herself. See, I opened my mouth instead of listening and letting her settle on a purchase price to offer first.
Sometimes homes stink and sometimes they still sell regardless of smells. Most buyers can look past clutter and odor (if it isn't OMG bad). There is a home for every buyer.
Have a great Holiday Season and a Productive 2013.
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