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What should a Home Seller do if a Buyer asks for their Utility Bills?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Godzyk Real Estate Services NH License 033394

If a home Buyer asks for copies of the last year sof a Home Sellers Utility Bills, what should that home owner do? Here in the Manchester NH area, a Seller called me to tell me their sale fell through and they needed a new listing agent, from reading my Active Rain Blog, they knew I was the agent for them. You see they had their home under contract, The buyer asked for a years worth of utility bills. The Listing Agent got offended and told the seller to say no. The deal set with the sun.

 

So what should a Home Seller do if a Buyer asks for copies of their utility bills? The easy answer is "Give them to the Buyer"

 

YOU deserve the BEST service when Buying or Selling a home

 

Most Buyers will indeed ask how much the heat costs last year? What is the average electric bill? Why would you not give this information?

 

I let my home seller know up front to gather this information and that most buyers will ask for it. The common goal is to sell the home. That includes being ready and accommodating a buyer. It also should include letting the seller know what to expect during the home sale process. 

 

LEARN THIS ONE FACT: One should know that All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest Agent or Company. It is important to Hire the BEST Agent. In NH that could be me.  

  

Click here for Manchester area Homes For Sale by clicking here. what is for sale by clicking here.

 

   

IN SUMMARY the key to having a successful purchase or sale can increase simply choosing a better agent. The secret is that All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest. I leave you with now infamous philosophy, which is simple, to provide more personal and professional service to guide my clients through each step of the buying or selling process.

 

 

It does not take magic to turn your "For Sale" sign into a "Sold" sign. it takes a full time Local Agent who specializes in Listing homes like yours.


If you are thinking of buying a Home please contact us. Get a free pre-qualification along with some of the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE through each step of the Buying Prices.

 

 

WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE THROUGHOUT EACH STEP OF THE LISTING AND SELLING PROCESS!!!

 

If you need to sell your home and you owe more than your house is worth, i may be able to help. I specialize in working with home owners to get your home sold. There are many options such as a short sale which may be able to help you.Please try and avoid out of state or out of town agents and companies that make "out of this world promises". We are local agents with experience who never charge any up front fees.

 

 

 

We are local agents with experience who GET RESULTS!!!

 

We stand by you through every step in selling your home.

 

Another reason that makes New Hampshire a great place to Live, Work and Play.

 

  • About the Author: Scott Godzyk is the Owner/Broker of the Godzyk Real Estate Services in Manchester NH. With 30 years of experience, Scott is a leading Agent for Listing and Selling Homes in this area. To CONTACT Scott Godzyk please call 603.661.2121 or EMAIL: Sctprop@aol.com . We are Full Time Agents ready to serve all of your Real Estate needs through each step of the buying and Selling process. We are proud to be locally owned and operated.

Comments(27)

Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

It is best to have copies to give to buyer. The utility company will gladly send copies.

Jul 14, 2016 10:53 PM
Doug Rogers
RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL
Your Real Estate Resource!

I too get the sellers to hand over the last 12 months of utility bills. And wouldn't you know it, often their disclosure is waaay off from the actual bill. Apparently "about 150" is code for 475.

Jul 14, 2016 11:25 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

A buyer who would not provide energy bills is a buyer who is not motivated or hiding something!

Jul 15, 2016 12:07 AM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Hi Scott Godzyk Disclosure is the name of the game. An agent that gets "offended" by requests for disclosure needs to seek other employment.

Your new client should consider a suit for damages from the advice of their former agent.

Bill Roberts

Jul 15, 2016 12:08 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Absolutely show it to them. What are they hiding?

Jul 15, 2016 02:16 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Scott, People who have nothing to hide ... hide nothing.  The bills are what they are ... no harm in providing them to a buyer requesting them. 

Jul 15, 2016 02:45 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Scott - Even though our cities restrict access to that information, we've always provided it when asked - it's a completely reasonable request. Have a great weekend!

Jul 15, 2016 05:14 AM
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

I agree completely.  I require my sellers to complete a year long history of the utilities.  And as a buyer's agent, I qualify them as "subjective".  If there is a family of 5 living in the house, it will be different for a single person or a couple with no children.  Even if the seller does not provide it, I can call the utility companies to receive a 24 month average.  At a bare minimum, all sellers should at least provide this.  Thank you for the post.

Jul 15, 2016 06:51 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I completely agree with providing utility bill information to homebuyers, and educationg sellers about what may be requested during the home selling experience.

Jul 15, 2016 07:51 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It sure is Chrissi Chapman Topoleski , thanks for the comment

Jul 15, 2016 11:37 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

That is so right Roy Kelley , especially when they want to sell their home

Jul 15, 2016 11:37 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Always Nina Hollander  , i go so much as asking the seller for copies when u get the listing

Jul 15, 2016 11:38 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I do teh same Wayne Martin , always better to be prepared

Jul 15, 2016 11:38 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I do the same Dorie Dillard and make it part of my listing package

Jul 15, 2016 11:39 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Harry F. D'Elia that is why i ask ahead, so they can ask the utility if they dont have them

Jul 15, 2016 11:40 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I see that too Doug Rogers 

Jul 15, 2016 11:40 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Most often i see that too Gary L. Waters, Broker Owner, Waters Realty of Brevard, LLC 

Jul 15, 2016 11:41 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

SO true Bill Roberts , they are happy knowing we got a bunch of offers and they got to chose the best one.

Jul 15, 2016 11:42 AM
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

Hi Scott, That's rarely requested in my area, but we have a fairly mild climate.  If it were, the answer "no" only stops dialog. I'd probably want to understand more of what the buyer was concerned with, suggest we supply some bills but also make sure the buyer knows everyone is different. Some like their home warmer or cooler, take longer showers, do more or less laundry on hot, etc.  

Good job getting the listing and handling it right. 

Jul 15, 2016 03:31 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

In my market, if you call the utility companies and give an address, they can give you a monthly average.  So easy.

Jul 16, 2016 04:19 AM