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Making a FSBO cry = success??

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty

So I made the rounds yesterday to FSBOs I am working with (notice I did not say stalking!) and at the last one the homeowner was not home. He never is, we just talk on the phone. I was stopping by to check in, we hadn't talked in over a week. I had a copy of the full page ad being run in USA Today (by Realogy, parent company of Coldwell Banker etc) which is trying to make the point that it's still a great time to buy. I wanted the FSBOs to see we at Coldwell Bankere Flanagan Realty are trying to recruit buyers for the listings we have-wouldn't it be great to add their home to our inventory and thus accomplish their of selling goal??

 

Well, I had left the info on the door and as I was walking away Mr Seller came to the door. He didn't see me around the corner. "oh my God, not another Realtor! AARRGH!!" I poked my head around and introduced myself. Once he realized it was me he said "Oh no, I didn't mean you..." I could only wonder WHO did he mean and HOW had they been bothering him? I know we can be a pesky group, one FSBO actually called me aggressive which if you knew me you you would know what a total joke that is. I can be afraid of my own shadow and the fact that I can even talk to FSBOs amazes me...

 

So what i want to know from my AR comrades who may work with FSBOs what works and what doesn't?? I have had modest success and it's not a source of business I count on--I would just like to hear some experience of other agents-thanks!

Charlie Ragonesi
AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA
Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros
Thanks for the post. We need to realize that we may be bothering folks. Linda Crrig in our office has a good fsbo program Contact ID on rain is lcarrig
Feb 12, 2008 10:51 PM
Brian Schulman
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552
Nancy, it seems clear that claiming "I'm #1, my company is #1, list with me" is a pretty sure way of annoying a FSBO, who knows that if that is what he wanted, he could have already listed his home.
Feb 12, 2008 10:56 PM
Heather the Realtor Orlando, Lake Mary
LemonTree Realty - Orlando, FL
First Time Home Buyers, Bank Owned Homes
I have never had sucess with them either. I know most all of them feel annoyed by realtors because we are like thirsty dogs when they put that sign up.
Feb 12, 2008 11:33 PM
Nancy Cagno
Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty - Toms River, NJ

Thanks Heather, Brian and Charlie for your comments. It's hard to know how to handle the FSBOs sometimes. I really only feel like I can contact them when I really have a buyer who may be interested in their particular home. I'm not trying to list it, just sell it. Otherwise it feels like stalking. I was just wondering if anyone had any other techniques. I'll try to contact your associate, Charlie-thanks.

Feb 13, 2008 11:16 PM
Brian Nelso
Thneed, LLC - Aliso Viejo, CA
Brian Nelso

Creating the relationship with your prospects is by far the best approach; especially if you are adding value to the relationship by bringing different articles and tools to help them stay up on the market.  Before I began training REALTORS with RedX expired and FSBO tools, I used to teach agents to give their FSBO prospects a free website so that the prospect may feature the property.  These sites rarely result in a FSBO sale, but the gift of a free website is great inscentive for the prospect to list with you.

Feb 17, 2008 04:56 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
FSBOs know they are on their own and most think a) they are saving money and b) Realtors don't know what they are doing anyway. So they come from that perspective. When the house NEVER sells they finally conclude, maybe they need help.
Feb 18, 2008 02:27 AM
Ryan Vivo
Gateway Realty - Fairfield, CA
NRBA Realtor Solano County, Gateway Realty 707-384-5894
I admire the real estate agent that go for the FSBO's there is money to be made there.
Feb 21, 2008 04:51 PM
Jeff Coon
Annie Mac Home Mortgage - Toms River, NJ
Branch Manager

Nancy, we may have some useful items for you to use in your approach to obtaining FSBO busines.  I know they can be a difficult group as a whole, but with the right approach, & reasonable expectations, they can lead to found business.

Feel free to contact me at my office.

Aug 23, 2009 01:40 PM