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One Man's Garbage

By
Real Estate Agent

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so the saying goes.

Recently, while holding an open house, I saw this saying played out for me beautifully. A gentleman entered the home that I was showing, and began to offer some "constructive" criticism about the design, décor and price. He didn't like anything about the home.

In every room there was something wrong. We had a good conversation about what the felt the house should be priced at. I valued his opinion enormously, and even asked him questions about what he thought would help the house sell. He was a delightful man with very good ideas; bottom line--he just didn't like the house and wasn't afraid to share his opinion.

After he left, I began to look around the home to see what could be done to make some of the improvements he recommended. But before I got too far in the "brain-storming" process, a small group of ladies entered the home, and as they toured the house and made comments, I realized that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. One of the women loved the house.

She walked around pointing out the things she liked. The man hated the back yard and the way the sliding glass door opened up to it. She loved the lay-out. I could go on, but you get the point....

I could only inwardly giggle because you just never know what people will say and how they will react to the same set of circumstances-in this case, a home for sale. I giggled at myself, too, because I got caught up in one person's opinion, I had briefly forgotten another old saying, "One man's garbage is another man's gold." I learned a good lesson that day.

Comments(7)

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Linda Coen-Cushman
Coen-Cushman Real Estate, LLC. - Fort Bragg, NC

They say, every home has a buyer.  You just have to find it.  lol.  Goes along the same line I guess.  Best of luck with your open house.......

Jun 19, 2008 12:21 PM
Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate

I hate it when people show up at one of my listings and proceed to bash things that can't be changed. It would be OK if they knew how to be tactful, but tact and class seem to be dying faster than common sense.

Jun 19, 2008 01:27 PM
Deborah Burroughs
San Diego, CA

Hi Linda, I've never heard that saying, but I haven't been doing real estate for very long. I like it. Thanks for reading and for the encouragement.

 

Hi Lisa, as I mentioned above, I haven't been doing real estate for very long, so that was a first for me. It was a good experience, because I learned that what the gentleman expressed was only HIS opinion. Someone is going to fall in love with that house. Thanks for reading...

Jun 20, 2008 10:51 AM
Debbie DiFonzo
Debbie DiFonzo - United Country VIP Realty, SW Missouri - Lebanon, MO
Lebanon MO and Buffalo Missouri Real Estate

I had never heard your saying about garbage but I love it! I'll be sure to remember that one.

I especially hate when other AGENTS tour the listing and have negative comments. Comments that are not from their buyer but from themselves. "The kitchen really doesn't flow well into the dining room." Oh, really?

When this home sells, you can smile all the way to the bank! <G>

Jul 17, 2008 12:26 PM
Deborah Burroughs
San Diego, CA

Hi Debbie, thanks for your comments!! I haven't had an agent do that yet, but I'm sure I will. I'm glad you told me about that so I won't be so shocked if it happens. :)

Jul 17, 2008 03:47 PM
The Somers Team
The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA
Delivering Real Estate Happiness

Deborah,

Great post - beauty is in the eye of the beholder for sure.  Some improvements are obvious but others just fall into the personal preference category !  Did the house sell ?

Aug 25, 2008 01:20 PM
Deborah Burroughs
San Diego, CA

Thanks for visiting and commenting... No, the house didn't sell; the owner decided to lease it due the declining market. :)

Aug 25, 2008 02:40 PM