Special offer

Will a Buyer take you serious when the pull up and see THIS?

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

A Home Seller called saying their home has not sold with their "other Realtor". They said how they hardly had any showings the last 6 months. How much they remodeled the home and how it was worth every penny. They added, how they were not paying any of the buyers closing costs and wanted every buyer to know that before they come to look at their Manchester NH area Home.

 

I started by looking it up in MLS. Sure enough it stated that in the the MLS. Next, I had to see the home. I set up a time to come by. I pulled up to this large newer colonial style home in an upscale neighborhood and saw the mailbox. Yes mailboxes get hit by plows, but fix it. Especially when your home is for sale. 

 

The seller gave me a tour. I took lots of notes and asked lots of questions. Their past price was within what others had sold for, but it was at the higher end. The first problem was the sellers attitude. Now when a home does not sell for 6 months, it is usually over priced or no one knows it is for sale. In this case it was priced high, but the sellers lack of flexibility and their old agents inability to tell them, was the leading issue. 

 

Nearly every buyer getting a mortgage in my area uses FHA. Most have excellent credit and little savings it seems. That means they are asking the seller to pay their closing costs. The best approach was take each issue one at a time. First was price. You never want to be the highest priced home. When looking further the home that sold at that high price, did indeed pay 3% of the sales price towards the buyers closing costs. The seller had a choice and I spelled it out on paper. They would need to reduce the price $12,000 to be more competitive... OR...

 

The seller should understand why buyers ask for sellers to pay closing costs. That by opening up to the idea can majorly add potential buyers to the list of people who could come see their home. More buyers could mean more offers which could mean a quicker sale at the best obtainable price. "Why didn't any one tell him he asked?"

 

He agreed to allow buyers to make offers asking for closing cost credit. He realized he scared more buyers away than he attracted with the language in the old MLS. 

 

Lastly his mailbox. He knew it was like that and by the way it got hit last year. I told him straight up to replace his mailbox to make his home as attractive as possible. He didn't have time. He had more excuses not to go to pick one up. I brought my favorite page up on my laptop. in two clicks brought up A BRAND NEW MAILBOX with free delivery. The wife with a stare had him putting his billing info in. He will have his new mailbox in 2 days. Yes he listed the home but will take a couple of weeks to get it ready. Mulch the flower beds. Plant spring flowers. De-clutter the home and yes, put up the new mailbox.

 

 

Perhaps the MOST IMPORTANT message is to share with every consumer that my philosophy is simple, provide more personal and professional service to guide my clients through each step of the buying or selling process. All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest. Those that hire me, find a dedication like no other.

 

To CONTACT Scott Godzyk please call 603.661.2121 or EMAIL: Sctprop@aol.com .

 

About the Author: Scott Godzyk is the Owner/Broker of the Godzyk Real Estate Services in Manchester NH. Proud to be locally owned and operated with 32 years of experience, Scott is a leading Agent for Listing and Selling Homes in this area.We are Full Time Agents ready to serve all of your Real Estate needs. Servicing Hillsborough, Rockingham, Merrimack and Belknap counties. 

 

    

Comments (60)

David Smith
Brokers Guild Classic - Lakewood, CO
Residential and Commercial Broker

Sometimes people learn fast and sometimes it is a process!

Apr 24, 2019 07:04 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Sometimes it just needs a fresh set of eyes! A new mailbox, a new door mat, a fresh coat of paint on the front door, some mulch and couple pots of flowers. While you're at it, offer some closing help and a price reduction. Good post Scott Godzyk 

Apr 24, 2019 08:18 PM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Can you imagine any experienced listing agent not take any action up to 90 days, let alone 6 months with his client? Unbelievable, isn't it?

When the seller's goal is to make money on the sale of his property instead of selling the property, a reality consultation needs to be illustrated assertively and professionally. If the sellers are reluctant or uncooperative in your marketing of their property, why would you take the listing? Regardless, great post.

Apr 24, 2019 11:41 PM
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

It all comes down to how it is communicated & presented. I have seen this scenario play out so many times over the years. Great job!

Apr 25, 2019 04:23 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Excellent job as always! I love that you pulled out your phone, pulled up a mailbox, and nipped those complaints in the bud. 

Apr 25, 2019 05:13 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Small things like the mailbox you describe can have huge effect on the sale! These sellers are in good hands now!

Apr 25, 2019 05:18 AM
Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

Nailed it!  I have one of these homes that I just listed and the sellers are slowly listening to me. Open house this weekend shouldgive me A. A buyer or B. Buyer provided reasons why they did not make an offer.  I will pick B. Perhaps they will finally listen after I get Buyer input. Thanks for sharing Scott Godzyk 

Apr 25, 2019 06:05 AM
M.C. Dwyer
Melody Russell Team at eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Felton, CA
MC Dwyer-Santa Cruz Mountains Property Specialist

Great post Scott - it's kind of sad the last agent didn't have this honest and direct conversation with them, but, that opened it up for you to be able to help them.    I love how you ordered the new mailbox delivered in two days!   Just do it, folks!

Apr 25, 2019 08:21 AM
Rose L. Maduro
Vylla Home - Suwanee, GA
Sales agent in North Metro Atlanta

Love this post. The owners may have been a challenge, but it was best for the agent to know their personality types, to be able communicate openly and honestly with them - in their language -- like you did. In this case, ordering the mailbox on the spot. lol Knowing how to effectively communicate with different personality types goes a long way, since every seller is different. 

Apr 25, 2019 09:27 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Scott, Good post. Sometimes it takes 6 months of a house not selling for sellers to really listen.  And great that you fully explained the importance of seller assists for buyers that need that bit of help.  Way to go with the mailbox!

Apr 25, 2019 01:16 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Thank you Dörte Engel 

Apr 26, 2019 05:32 AM
Bruce Hicks
Best Homes Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Your Best Hawaii Realtor!

I recently had to have a mailbox, 'modernized' Scott Godzyk .  Problem was that it was on a post with the neighboring box.  Handyman charged $180 to paint and repair the wooden post.  When I asked the neighbor to pay half, he said NO, a real DORK! My owner wound up paying for the box and we moved on!

Apr 26, 2019 08:39 AM
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

I love your simple solution to the mailbox, no excuses, click click and hopefully he gets it up on the pole right away. 

Apr 26, 2019 10:23 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Certainly hope that seller appreciates you!  Sounds like s/he had an agent that was just doing the minimum as far as trying to get the house sold

Apr 26, 2019 06:20 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Scott Godzyk -   you really need to explain these things.  It did not help the last agent not to do so.

Apr 27, 2019 04:36 AM
Janna Scharf
Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene - Coeur d'Alene, ID
Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Expert

It really isn't complicated. 

Apr 27, 2019 12:05 PM
Dinah Stallworth-Lewis
Priority Real Estate LLC - 318.332.8281 - Natchitoches, LA
NATCHITOCHES, LA HOMES FOR SALE

Scott,

You took control of the situation with this Seller and offered great advice to help get the property sold.  Communication is key in any real estate transaction.

Apr 28, 2019 05:54 PM
Patrick Willard
Rio Rancho, NM

Absolutely the best approach for expireds. Had one once, 2nd year in the biz, that initially agreed to my price (which was about 13% lower than his previous listing) but he insisted on a large cut to the commission. I couldn't have done that if I wanted (our QB wouldn't allow it, especially for a newbie). I'd get him up on commision and he'd insist on his old price.

Finally I said "Obvisously we aren't going to be able to work together, thanks for your time" and put everything in my briefcase and got up to leave. The wife stopped me, took him in the bedroom and when they came out he signed. Home sold for full price in two days. He thanked me at closing for "not letting him screw it up".

Apr 29, 2019 01:12 PM
Ricardo Mello
Manhattan Miami Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
Manhattan & Miami Real Estate Agent

Is not complicated at all...;)

May 01, 2019 11:15 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

You used what is going on in the market to help the seller understand the reality of where their home was and why it was not selling or even getting showings.

Not all sellers will be able, in their mind, to make the shift, but you had some wise ones.

Best wishes

May 13, 2019 08:57 AM