Special offer

The Case Of The Reluctant FSBO

By
Real Estate Agent with Benchmark Realty LLC, Nashville TN 615.516.5233 TN 221117

There is a FSBO home which I pass by a lot, and it has been a FSBO off and on for several years.  I have called and left several voice mail messages to get information on the house this last FSBO campaign. The owner has never called me, nor has she called back several people I know who are interested in the house.  

I have noticed over the last few months that the phone number on the signs has gotten dimmer and dimmer.  Today, it is almost gone.  It is impossible to see it from the street.  Now, probably if you get out of your car, and get close to the sign, you may be able to see a faint memory
of a hand-written number, but you can't see it from the street. 

Think maybe this FSBO has given up? Doesn't care?   I do know one thing. He or she needs a Realtor to get it sold.  It is none of my business, but if this were my house, I would either pick up my weather-beaten signs, and forget about selling or renting it.  

OR, call a Realtor with a fresh, readable sign to list it and market it to sell.   

Time to get off the fence, JMHO.The phone numbers have worn off the FSBO 'for sale' and 'for rent' signs.

Posted by

*********************
Sarah Rummage, Realtor®

Sarah Direct: 615-516-5233
Sarah@HouseInNashville.com


2500 - 21st Avenue South, Suite 102
Nashville TN 37212
Office: 615.432.2919

www.HouseInNashville.com 




 Email me if you are thinking of selling and I will gladly provide a seller net sheet at no cost or obligation to you. 


Comments(15)

Marty Remo
RE/MAX Benchmark- Marty Remo-CDPE, E-Pro - Monroe, NY
HV Home Team

They are most likely hoping for the miracle buyer that jumps out of his car with a suitcase full of money & want s to pay top dollar.

Dec 30, 2008 11:43 AM
Connie Goodrich
Keller Williams Realty - McKinney, TX
CRS ABR (McKinney Realtor)Texas

Zoom in the sign and send the photo along with a hand written note.  In the note be professionally blunt and pose the question, do you want to sell your home.  Not only am I easily reached by buyers but I will be a great communicator for you, etc.  A picture speaks a thousand words.  The seller obviously may not be motivated but who knows when unmotivated may turn to very motivated.  Make your name the first to call if that happens & don't give up the touches.  Best wishes!

Dec 30, 2008 11:45 AM
Tim and Pam Cash
Crye-Leike (Sango) - Clarksville, TN
Real Estate Professionals - Clarksville TN

We have one that I pass every day.  I have stopped a couple of times, but no one home.  Attempted mailings - no return. I have not attempted to call due to the DNC issue though. 

Dec 30, 2008 11:49 AM
Sarah Rummage
Benchmark Realty LLC, Nashville TN 615.516.5233 - Nashville, TN
Love Being Realtor® in the Nashville TN Area!

Marty, you could very well be right! :-)

Connie, that is a great idea to send her a photo.  I think I will do that!

Tim and Pam, I am respectful of the DNC list too.  I do not budget for fines!

AND, I send out mailers to FSBO's, and it is amazing how many are returned as 'undeliverable' even when I put 'or current resident' and 'c/o' on the address line.  Not sure why that is.

Dec 30, 2008 11:55 AM
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

I am amazed at how many fsbos don't call back..  It is a shame.

Dec 30, 2008 11:55 AM
Sarah Rummage
Benchmark Realty LLC, Nashville TN 615.516.5233 - Nashville, TN
Love Being Realtor® in the Nashville TN Area!

Russ, I don't understand it either, that they don't call back.  I guess they are sick of talking to Realtors.  :-)  But, I know for a fact that this FSBO doesn't call back potential buyers and renters.

Dec 30, 2008 12:05 PM
Andrea Palmer
Jones & Co. Realty 239-333-5556 - Cape Coral, FL
Phone 239-333-5556

get some statistics of homes in their neighborhood, CMA's, name some reasons why they should list their home. Leave it on their front door and see what happens.

Good luck and a happy new year!!!

Dec 30, 2008 12:14 PM
Shane OnullGorman
Eau Claire Realty, Inc. - Eau Claire, WI
Eau Claire Wisconsin, Real Estate Agent & Realtor- Buy or Sell

Is that a real photo of the house? If it is I wouldnt use that.

There is a FSBO in my area that has been for sale as long as I have been in real estate. I think someone who is "selling" that long probably doesnt care too much if its sold or not. No motivation at all really.

Dec 30, 2008 12:14 PM
Robert Schwabe
Herron Real Estate - Orange Park, FL
Orange Park Real Estate

Sarah & John - I think they just like the little red sign in their yard.

Dec 30, 2008 01:07 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Actually a lot of FSBO signs seem to either print their phone numbers in a way that is totally unreadable, or they make the ink so faint, or the letters so small that it is impossible as well -- but hey , they all say they know how to sell homes better than Realtors -- so go figure. All the best for the coming year.

Dec 30, 2008 02:59 PM
Sarah Rummage
Benchmark Realty LLC, Nashville TN 615.516.5233 - Nashville, TN
Love Being Realtor® in the Nashville TN Area!

Andrea, I think I will give it another try and send some updated comp information.  Good idea.

Shane, I did change the photo.  Good suggestion. 

Robert, they may like the sign :-), but you would think they would get tired of calls after a while, or tired of NOT getting calls when people give up on them. 

Bob and Carolyn, you are right about the numbers on FSBO signs.  You either have to stop and get out to read them, or have somebody with you in the car with VERY good eyesight to read them to you.

I have an email service on FSBO's, Landvoice, and lately the leads have been really puny. Maybe people are just giving up selling FSBO, or maybe they are waiting until spring.

Dec 30, 2008 11:58 PM
Caren Wallace
Premier Property Group LLC - Tualatin, OR
Portland Caren Real Estate

I am always happy to see unproductive signs because if the seller is really serious it is only a matter of time that it will be replaced by a professional sign!!!

Dec 31, 2008 12:11 AM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

Some of these people are just testing the market. If the can get someone to pay thier price.. they will sell. And they don't want to pay the realtor

Dec 31, 2008 01:15 PM
Joanne O'Donnell
Chic Home Interiors - Oakland, CA

This is why I hate working with FSBO owners to stage their house.  Don't get me wrong, I always advise them they need to work with a qualified agent and offer to refer them to some great ones I know.  But, being who they are, they don't always listen to me.  It always ends badly when they still resist - it just makes me look bad when a house I staged sits on the market because the FSBO owner has no idea how to market... I don't care how it is staged, if it is not marketed right or priced right, it will not sell - period.  They try to save the commission without realizing that they are losing so much more - the ultimate not selling, of course, but also the lower sale price that they always get.  Statistics show that FSBO homes sell for 12% less... and they are worrying about a maximum 6% commission... It just kills me.  Please excuse my run-on sentences, but this subject really riles me.

Dec 31, 2008 06:09 PM
Erby Crofutt
B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY
The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY

Dang!  Thought I was gonna read me a Perry Mason novel.

Patience and persistence can get you the listing, if you really want it.  I like the "dump the stuff on their doorstep idea".  Makes you top of the line to be called IF they ever get tired of the faded sign in the yard.

 

-

Jan 01, 2009 02:10 PM