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Know How To Read? Please Do So

By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

February 04, 2019 04:24 PM

Save time... read the MLS

MLS

Making appointments, on my own listings, saves time and helps me screen prospective buyers. It is nice to be able to talk to the agents and answer questions about the listing. Even though my description in the Multiple Listing Service is complete, there are a few issues that can be cleared in advance.

reading a buyer

This one happened today. Appointment made on my 3 level townhouse.

The feedback

'The buyer is older and wants a home without steps.'

Here are a few more:

The condo restricts pets and they have 2 dogs and a cat. No, you can't sneak them in.
The prospective buyer is elderly and the condo is on the top floor. There is no elevator.
A condo with no balcony - not a good match for someone with claustrophobia.
A penthouse unit - a bad idea for someone afraid of heights.
The buyer is in a wheelchair. Would you at least remind them, it's a split-level house?
The family wants all bedrooms on the same level. Are you sure you want to show this Cape Cod?

Other information that would have been helpful to know:

-The buyers haven't put their home on the market because they want to wait until they find something they like but cannot purchase without a home contingency. The seller will not take a contingency.

-The listing is a co-op, the by-laws require cash only- no mortgages. Surprise when the buyer asks if the monthly fee "includes the loan payment."

-High condo fees. The prospective buyer didn't ask before seeing the property (and his agent didn't tell, obviously). Then he asks if we can negotiate the fees down along with the price.

-The buyer wants privacy, does not want to be able to see other houses. There are homes on both sides because it is in a development community.

-The buyer wants a quiet street and the home on the beltway.

-Seller is building and needs a long settlement. Buyer needs to move in 2 weeks.

Review BEFORE going out.

Read the MLS, do your research and ask questions.

Save time for buyers, sellers, and agents.

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Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX

Selling Homes Changing Lives

Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland - Although challenges are many for your client, I hope the prospective buyers find something suitable and affordable and they (including their agent) read the MLS description carefully.

It's really ridiculous when you get feedback that doesn't make sense. I am finally pending on my listing and even though my property description is very clear, 4 bedrooms upstairs, I still got lots of feedback saying buyers loved the house but needed a Master down.

Yes! Reading the MLS helps!!! Good luck, Margaret.

Feb 04, 2019 09:04 PM

Margaret Rome Baltimor...

Pikesville, MD

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

I find that some of the agents have no idea what the buyer wants. When they get a call to see any property...they just show it.

Congratulations on getting your 4 bedroom, without a first-floor master on the first, under contract.

Feb 04, 2019 09:29 PM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I feel your pain, Margaret. Always getting feedback that my sellers question if agents ever do their homework. I remember one where it's clear that the master is on the second floor... the agent shows the home to a buyer who wants a master down. Then there was the 4,000+ square foot home on an acre that I had listed... the agent tells me her client decided against it because she was downsizing... no secret in mls as to the size of the house or the lot!

Feb 05, 2019 03:53 AM

Susan Mangigian

RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA

Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

A friend who sells in Canada was just telling me that although in her MLS description, she explains it's a 3rd-floor walk-up condo with no elevator, the feedback is: No elevator. Questions are also asked like what floor is it on! It's crazy that agents do not read before showing.

Feb 05, 2019 06:40 AM

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Many agents don't do enough research to know what will and won't work for their clients. They don't know what the buyer wants nor are they familiar with the inventory. It's a mass waste of time for everyone!

Feb 05, 2019 07:31 AM

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

'The buyer is older and wants a home without steps."

Someone didn't properly communicate with their buyer about specific needs before wasting their time and the sellers by showing homes that clearly won't work.

Feb 05, 2019 01:33 PM

Nina Hollander As listing agents we continually hear the same comments. At least we can't complain about not receiving feedback. :)

Feb 07, 2019 04:22 PM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Susan Mangigian It is so good to see you. Even if it's in the MLS and you tell them...there is still that same feedback.

Feb 07, 2019 04:25 PM

Carol Williams I see this more with agents who get a call to show the property and without research show whatever the buyer the buyer requests.

Feb 07, 2019 04:26 PM

Myrl Jeffcoat And it is "painful" giving this feedback to the seller who has just cleaned, straightened the house, boarded the dogs, gathered the kids and left for a few hours.

Feb 07, 2019 04:47 PM

Know How To Read? Please Do So

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Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

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