There are 32 Open Houses in a 5 mile radius.

Stastically 87% of them do hire someone like you to get the job done for them.

FSBSs are all over the spectrum in my experience; some priced way too high, some too low (I like to buy these), and some, apparently most, don't have a clue.

 

Karin,

The fact that you`re learning so rapidly is wonderful! Outstanding job.Now, start doing a listing presentation for these FSBO`s..:)

Isn't this always the case?

I went to two FSBO's yesterday...the first one told me he had been overrun by Realtors and I told him I did not want to list his house just wanted to give him some information and if they needed me for anything to call me.  You should have seen the look on his face when I left it at that.

The second wasn't home although I was greeted by the family dog.  The dog wasn't interested in negotiating though...LOL.

I am thinking of a new idea of keeping a list of times I go by the FSBO's and then confronting the FSBO seller with it and telling them..."If I had been a buyer interested in seeing your home, well there was no one home, so I moved on" and see what kind of reaction that gets.

Maybe it will make them realize they just cannot handle the requiements. 

 

And a lot more 'sellers' are listed with an agent but are not REAL sellers at all. They just hope that someone will over pay for their house. They do nothing to make their home presentable, they do not need to sell, they just want in the game.

You know it works that way, a house in the neighborhood puts a for sale sign out one day - how many follow - too many. If the true sellers would do what needs to be done to sell their house & the not-true sellers would get off the market altogether things would be so much better for everyone!

The biggest problem with FSBO is that they have or heard of people doing well when the market was red hot. This is not too far off base, when at a time you put a sale sign out and you had people driving up and knocking on your door within hours. The market has changed and now it takes some work, some connections , knowledge to sell correctly. People that pay for an agnet to sell there home should demand full service, then there is no questions. Helpful hints to some agnets that have taken on FSBO listings is also completely remove the FSBO sign that was up before. Was at 2 listings in which the listing agent stacked the sign up agianst the house. No flyers in box, or in the house, garbage everwhere and a lockbox with 3 notes on it saying it does not work correctly. It was an old combo box and not elctronic. I had to try the numbers about a dozen times before it worked.

Great Story

The biggest problem with FSBO`s is no matter what data you show them regarding their home and the correct selling price they have this habit of Knowing More than you!

I guess they teach that in FSBO school...

FSBO school is taught once a week on the View!

Who`s teaching the class, Rosie? Ughh!

Wow! I am truly amazed at the number of FSBO's. I know we have a bunch in Northern VA, but not concentrated like that. That being said, what you did was also a good first step to possible listing a few of them at a future date, maybe in better condition and more reasonably priced.

Thanks for the post - great stories. I generally haven't stopped at FSBO open houses for precisely the reasons you stated. And the ones I am aware of are still sitting there on the market (but of course many other homes are as well...so their chances are even less of selling). Have you had any success converting a FSBO to a client? What did you do that worked? I know that I resist trying this because of past experiences but am working more diligently to show value, without spending alot of time and money since many will not ever " get it."

FSBO`s are a breed onto themselves.

I`m doing a listing presentation today for a FSBO. They have already given me the "Ground Rules" about the house prior to me viewing it and giving an honest opinion...

 

I think that "*&$^" Suzie Orman whatever her name is, is teaching these FSBO. I hope someone sues her someday for the trash she spews out over the T.V.  She has given some of the worst advice I have even seen as far as finance goes.

 

George

Ugh dreadful cats!  I love cats don't get me wrong but I dont want my home to smell like one!

Working with FSBO's I have found about 1/2 match your description.  The other 1/2 seem to have a wonderfully presentable house and are either under-priced or over-priced.  Statistically FSBO's sell their homes for much less than homes sold by a Realtor.  Better luck next time.