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Selling Your Neighborhood is Part of Selling Your House!

By
Real Estate Agent with Bucci Realty, Inc. BK3064647

The initial title for this post was "Hey seller, your neighborhood welcome committee needs a check!" 

While riding around yesterday previewing properties I was approached by a neighborhood lady, almost in front of the target property, who asked me in a gruff, been smoking fifty years voice "Can I help you find something, a$$hole?"

I politely declined her offer and explained I was a real estate broker previewing the neighborhood and properties for clients.

I really wanted to say something else but maintained my self control and professionalism.

I am not sure where this lady lives relative to the house under consideration.   But, in my usual attitude of open disclosure,  I will let the prospects know how the neighborhood "welcome committee" greeted me because I was driving through the neighborhood.

Three questions....

  • Will I tell the listing agent?  Not really.
  • Will I show the house?  Maybe, if the customer likes the neighborhood.
  • Will I tell the prospects who the welcoming committee was?   No.  It will not be necessary because I am sure she will make herself known with a great big "Welcome to neighborhood!"

Now the serious advice for sellers and their neighbors...

Your house is more than just a house.   Your house is a small part of a neighborhood.   Prospective buyers rarely, if ever, buy a home in a neighborhood they do not like

Your neighbors can help sell your house.  Your neighbors can help not sell your house.   When you are ready to sell your house advise your neighbors and ask for their help (and understanding) during the process.

There will be strangers driving through the neighborhood.   They may even get asked questions by these outsiders.  Be helpful and considerate.

Whisper to your neighborhood lady this short sentence "One day you may be the seller!"

 

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by

Gary L. Waters, is a Florida licensed real estate broker associate with Bucci Realty, Inc. in Melbourne, Florida.  

 Call or text me directly at 321-693-3850.

 

 

 

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Comments (81)

Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Wow!  Someone needs to check their tongue at the car door!  It always amazes me what neighbors do for the sake of not selling a neighbors home! 

Oct 29, 2015 05:52 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

If you get the nosey neighbor on your side they can be your best friend in selling the house.  Just don't give them too much info.

Oct 29, 2015 06:27 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

I encourage buyers to 'walk the block' on a weekend if they are interested in a house.  The way the neighbors act, interact, keep up their properties tells you a lot about the 'hood!

Oct 29, 2015 06:38 AM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

I've been pretty lucky so far, as I have not encountered this nosey neighbor but another thing that has affected  sale or two is the Sloppy Neighbor who has turned into a junk collector and has not painted their garage or house or 20 years and does not own a trimmer.

Oct 29, 2015 12:36 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Oh my --  I think you handled this well.  Hope this person was "just visiting" the neighbor.

Oct 29, 2015 01:36 PM
Janelle Ancillotti
Seneca Home Staging - Syracuse, NY
HSR Certified Home Stager, Syracuse, NY

Perfect Halloween post, Gary: it's both funny and scary. I would love to share with certain homeowners, but am certain they are too dim to recognize themselves.

Oct 29, 2015 10:09 PM
Doris Freeman
Zach Taylor Real Estate - Gallatin, TN
Broker/Agent, 615-961-7799

Some great points, sometimes no one wants to talk about the big pink elephant in the neighborhood - but they do stand out and can make or break a sale

Oct 29, 2015 10:56 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Jan Green - Yep...to think this lady was someone's "sweet grandmother, salt of the earth!"

Oct 29, 2015 11:50 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Gene Riemenschneider - That is actually a good strategy as well. 

Oct 29, 2015 11:51 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR - That is a good suggestion especially for people wandering how many kids are in the neighborhood (important with retirees here!).

Oct 29, 2015 11:53 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Diana Dahlberg - One thing about the sloppy neighbor...doubt they will ever change!

Oct 29, 2015 11:54 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Joan Whitebook - Yes, just passing through would be great!

Oct 29, 2015 11:54 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Janelle Ancillotti - Even with a mirror many would miss the point. Thanks!

Oct 29, 2015 11:55 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Doris Freeman - Very true. Here in Florida its not an elephant but a big pink flamingo!

Oct 29, 2015 11:56 PM
Patrick Willard
Rio Rancho, NM

Sometimes your seller is the nosy/nasty neighbor. I remember once doing a market analysis for a potential listing. Going over the comps she asked about a listed house behind her. I didn't use it because it was a 3BR 2 BA 2 car garage and her's was 2BR 1BA 1 car. I did mention that I hadn't seen the inside but I thought they were listed a little high. The next day I got an angry call from their listing agent. Apparently this lady went to their house and told them "they'd never sell because they were way over priced" and she told them that I said so. To add insult to injury she listed with a friend of her sons (who didn't even do a CMA but used mine). I probably dodged a bullet on that one.

Oct 30, 2015 03:08 AM
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

She may just be the reason the sellers are leaving; you never know. Very good point regarding the neighborhood and its denizens.

Oct 30, 2015 04:10 AM
Steven Beam
RE/MAX Alliance - Parker Colorado Real Estate. - Parker, CO
Parker Colorado Real Estate

Awesome. This has been the year of encounters with CRAZY buyers, sellers, neighbors and even Realtors. If I'm the listing agent I have a showing blackout during that person's walking schedule. 

Oct 30, 2015 05:11 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Patrick Willard  - You probably did but your comment makes a good point (blog topic suggesstion for you)...careful what you say about the neighbors as well!

Oct 31, 2015 07:41 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Olga Simoncelli - Thanks.  Could very well be!

Oct 31, 2015 07:43 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Steven Beam - That would definitely be a marketing strategy to employ!

Oct 31, 2015 07:44 PM