STATEN ISLAND REAL ESTATE AGENT KNOWS WHAT SELLERS ARE GOING THROUGH IN THIS MARKET!

I am Full Time Active SEASONED Agent...(nice way of saying I remember when there were pay phones on almost every corner)...Well, recently I put my own personal home on the market.  I didn't do a for sale by owner, or flat fee agency, because I do know the value of a FULL SERVICE AGENCY...I had no problem paying a respectable commission for the hard work the agent's were hopefully going to do for me as a homeowner..

Well, I priced my home according to a proper CMA I did for myself, I even asked my Manager to do one so I can make sure I wasn't being bias...The price were dead on correct...I cleaned up...I touched up...I staged my own home...did a virtual tour and tried to look at it through a buyers eye...

Agents showed it...along with the other hundred homes fitting my criteria.

After the first few weeks, I found myself becoming very anxious...I dropped my price, even lower then the lowest of my competition out there...

Though I do keep my home clean, I found myself in a frenzy when an appt was made...calling the house, threatening my sons lives to clean their rooms...running home just prior to the showing to make sure that everything was in order..candles...soft music...I mean the description was "shows like a model"...

Showings after showings...I made calls to my manager...after every show...ANY FEED BACK???  MAYBE YOU SHOULD CALL THEM???  MAYBE I SHOULD TELL THE AGENT SOMETHING THAT MAY MAKE A DIFFERENCE..

OHHH MYYY GOODNESSS...I am feeling what my Sellers Feel...Gee, the Stress, the inconvenience, the total disruption of their lives..

I took a deep breath,,,,and I truly was reminded of how horrible this market has become to all our sellers.  I stopped myself and realized that I had to do what I HAVE TOLD MY SELLERS ...

I threw my Agent Hat back on...I took control and made drastic changes...

WITHIN 1 WEEK I HAD THREE OFFERS ON MY TABLE...I DIDN'T TAKE THE HIGHEST ONE..I TOOK THE BEST BUYER FOR ME AND MY SITUATION..

I had to laugh at myself and wonder...if I can get this way...imagine a homeowner who never sold their home before..a homeowner under the gun of a time line..imagine a homeowner who if they don't find a buyer can become financially crippled...

Well, all I can say is,,,I came to TWO CONCLUSIONS..

ONE IS...MY WORTH IS PRICELESS FOR A HOMEOWNER WHO NEEDS MY EXPERTISE...

TWO..NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THE EMOTIONAL STRESS THAT COMES FROM SELLING A HOMEOWNERS HOME.

I just wanted to write this to tell all homeowners out there, that I care and though I am a top agent in my company..I learned more from being in your shoes then selling any other home can show me.

CATHY CATALETTO  

ccataletto@appleseedhomes   732-489-3044