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Overpriced houses are overpriced, no matter how many agents list it.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Cornerstone Business Group Inc 0225086119

I showed a property that was on the market for most of the year at approximately 35% over the current market for a similar property. Of course, it didn't sell. It came off the market, and then came back on at 25% over the market.

The second agent fluffed up the description to make it sound like it was a real a bargain.  She said it's, "Completely gone over!" What does that mean? It meant that the owner painted, hung one ceiling fan, had the floors refinished and changed the kitchen sink.  That's nice, but it's still 25% over the current market, even with a reduced price.

This is a topic that gets a lot of airtime on Active Rain and other Realtor blog sites.  Friends, please honest with your clients. A house that is 25% over the current market is going to sit, get stigmatized and end up in the hands of another agent in six months. For some companies it's all about market share. The more listings you have, the more successful you look. Maybe, but if they never sell, that also gets around.

We're in the home selling business. If we're not selling these homes, we're in the home babysitting business, and unfortunately, unlike when you're babysitting for extra money during the 9th grade, it doesn't pay well. You are more likely to have potential future clients look at your listing sign month after month and decide you don't actually sell homes. You just plant signs like Spring flowers. I know, I've had my own garden.

Just like a hundred posts before this one, let me encourage you, please don't take overpriced listings. Overpriced listings are for FSBOs. We're in the business to move real estate. I took a listing last week that had been on the market for eight months. It had been overpriced by $100K. How is that even possible on small to average sized house in small town?  If we price it right, they will come. If they come, we will sell.   

 

Comments(34)

Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

I don't blame sellers for over pricing listing inventory that wastes time for buyers, other sellers, agents too. These listings are like parked vehicles on a super highway and tie up resources. Agents, brokers taking over priced listings hoping the seller will have a come to Jesus moment and see the light on pricing should be gamblers in Vegas. Put your time, money into listing, peddling properties with a prayer of getting to the sit down pass the keys, slide the check please right Mike Cooper, GRI ?

Sep 10, 2019 06:18 AM
Sharon Miller
RE/MAX Platinum - Crane Hill, AL

I recently wrote an "infomercial" in an attempt to enlighten prospective buyers and sellers.......there's a difference between "winning" and selling or purchasing real estate. Feeling good about the overpriced figure you're asking for your home, is a "winning" attitude but a losing proposition. 

Ignoring a market analysis or suggestions from your realtor.....is a recipe for "losing". As was mentioned in the article, a disheartened seller will replace the realtor because they convince themselves the "messenger" is the problem, rather than the message!

Attempting to reason with people holding this logic......is like teaching a bull to dance, "the bull gets mad, while you become frustrated".

When someone states they are taking their unrealistically priced property off the market, you simply reply......."Good Luck"!

 

 

Sep 10, 2019 06:57 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375

Sharon Miller 
Sounds interesting! Any chance of sharing your approach by putting the link here in your comments? Thanks - Lynn

Sep 10, 2019 07:38 AM
Sharon Miller

Achieving Success — Defining Today’s Roadmap In Order To Acquire/Sell Smith Lake Property


 


 


Below, we will explain some important considerations prior to engaging in the sale or purchase of Smith Lake waterfront property. Achievement….“A thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill.” In the context of real estate transactions, success requires that one prepare himself for discussion, negotiation, acceptance and in some cases, a change in direction.


 


Creating a list of “desired amenities” in order of importance is a good way to begin the process. Accepting the premise at the outset, a possibility exists, you won’t realize totality with respect to listed “accoutrements” will keep you “in the game” as the process unfolds.


 


Understanding the concept of negotiation, is part of the process...a willingness to participate goes along way towards achieving the end goal. Imagine a buyer and seller 5K apart attempting to consummate a sale of vacant waterfront property listed at 110K? If both parties come to an agreement and split the difference, we’re looking at each participant adjusting his monetary position by just over two percent. This kind of negotiation and acceptance makes the difference between “finalizing” a sale….and both parties “walking away”. 


 


Avoid the pitfall, during this process, of  developing a “winning” attitude. Winning is described as “gaining, resulting in, or related to victory in a contest or competition!” Buying or selling of real estate should not include a competitive aspect between buyer and seller. 


 


Acquiring a clear understanding of the process is paramount to reaching the goal of success. Many players are involved with the sale and transfer of lake property. Accepting the fact that delays, and unforeseen interruptions are part of today’s process, is now considered a given. If a survey is a condition of an offer to purchase and no survey is recorded, whose going to pay for one and what timeframe is required in order to complete the request? Many similar type issues may surface during the process, keeping a focus on the big picture or the end game, will help you reach your objective.


 


Finally, keep this thought in mind as you work your way through the process of purchasing or selling Smith Lake property…..”Success, it’s the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.”


 


 

Sep 10, 2019 08:00 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Mike Cooper, GRI 
Hmmm - so many wonderful statements - guess I could have just copied the whole post! Thinking of you and your family often - Lynn
1. We're in the home selling business. If we're not selling these homes, we're in the home babysitting business, and unfortunately, unlike when you're babysitting for extra money during the 9th grade, it doesn't pay well. 

2. We're in the business to move real estate.

3.  Friends, please honest with your clients. A house that is 25% over the current market is going to sit, get stigmatized and end up in the hands of another agent in six months.

Sep 10, 2019 07:45 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good afternoon Mike Cooper, GRI -  the market is a stubbern thing.  It will win every time.

Sep 10, 2019 11:13 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV

Grant, you nailed it.

Sep 10, 2019 11:17 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

I tend to see this a lot unfortunately. The mentality for this is pumping up inventory and getting leads off the listing. It's really the seller that suffers - unless it's their idea and they won't listen to reason. Either way, it's not good for the industry.

Sep 10, 2019 11:52 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

As the demand drops the buyers near are very sensitive to condition, features and price. Most will take one look and move on.   

Sep 10, 2019 12:13 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Mike:

It's always interesting to see what happens, or doesn't happen, with overpriced homes when re-listed, and then sometimes re-listed again and again. Trying to convince buyers to purchase an over-priced home is a losing battle. The market always wins.

Jeff

Sep 10, 2019 12:13 PM
Gordon Crawford
Gordon Crawford Home Selling Team - Morristown, NJ
Your Morris County Specialist!

Mike, sellers still remember the prices at the height of the market and can't come to terms with the fact that they aren't going to get what they paid.  In many instances, they can't see that the price is "overpriced"!

Sep 10, 2019 12:38 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Well done and said.  Makes perfect sense:  If we price it right, they will come. If they come, we will sell.   

Sep 10, 2019 02:28 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Awesome blog.  Love your wording!  And yes, you are so right, we are in the house selling business not the listing business.

Sep 10, 2019 04:48 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Price it right or just a little under and magic happens, overprice it Nothing happens, great post and a powerful message to sellers. Now let's hope they read and listen, Endre

Sep 10, 2019 06:37 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

OMG, the 'home babysitting business' - PRICELESS and so 'Mike Cooper!' I love it!

You're so right - if the market isn't having it, the market isn't having it. It matters not how many agents you hire. 

Wait! Isn't that the definition of insanity?!!

Sep 10, 2019 07:43 PM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Great advice to agents , yet, many never learn the psychology behind a successful marketing strategy or the art of attraction. 

Sep 10, 2019 09:25 PM
Robin Wells
WellSwept Chimneys - Victoria Harbour, ON
Giving Peace Of Mind One Chimney At A Time

Thanks for post and tips.  Overpricing in our area at least can mean that the seller actually ends up selling quite a bit later and after several price reductions and at times it seems even below market value!

Sep 11, 2019 03:02 AM
L. Scott Ferguson
Ask4Ferguson - Your House-SOLD Name in Real Estate - West Palm Beach, FL
Sunny Florida Real Estate Professional

'Home Babysitting' love this!  Great post!

 

Blessings

Sep 11, 2019 05:11 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

You're so right - overpricing doesn't help anyone, not the seller and not the agent.

Sep 11, 2019 11:21 AM
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

I can’t count the number of times I’ve said - The Market has spoken thru their indifference , there is nothing left to prove at this price point !!!

Sep 12, 2019 06:06 AM
Ginger Harper
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC
Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

 

Some folks just do not realize the harm that they do to themselves by overlisting a house that will not sell at that price.

Sep 12, 2019 01:13 PM
Tom Bailey
Margaret Rudd & Associates Inc. - Oak Island, NC

Great post Mike! An overpriced listing will sit until your sign gets so rusty it falls off the frame! I don’t need it, don’t wanted, and don’t have time for it 

Sep 14, 2019 02:09 PM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

We as agents try to be diplomatic telling sellers 'don't overprice' but so often they just 'want to try the higher price' or they incorrectly compare their house to the one that sold down the street--that isn't even a comparable comp!  There are agents who will 'buy' the listing ==we all know them--and when the house sits, somehow who gets the blame?

Sep 18, 2019 12:48 PM