Real Estate Forums

SEOWolf · 11-13-2007, 09:47 AM

In today’s market we find ourselves asking our sellers to do more to help us help them. Unfortunately it sometimes leads to problems. In the past I have casually mentioned little things like odors and curb appeal. There is not a bigger turn-off than when you open a door and are slammed with pet odors IMHO.

And what in the world was one seller thinking when they knew I was showing their home and decided to cook fish before we got there?

In an effort to help our sellers move their property I now emphasize things that hurt a showing a bit more (especially pet odors) and I have upset a few clients.

I guess it is my “Bedside Manner” that needs a little refining.

Has anyone one else ran into a similar situation with a seller?

~VegasMack

NealRM · 11-13-2007, 10:21 AM

Vegas,
Let me check my list

Attact pets
Pet dropping on floor
Rotting floors
Old food in kitchen sink
Backed up sepic systems
Moldy basements
Hostile neighboors
50 year old carpeting
junk and more junk
smelly house

Yep it's there. No one will take hearing that thier house smells in a good way. Instead try something along the line of "Home sell better with a freshly cleaned carpet." The other option is to have "Feedback" from a home tour stating that they were turned off by the smell. That way you are not the bad guy.

SEOWolf · 11-13-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NealRM

The other option is to have "Feedback" from a home tour stating that they were turned off by the smell. That way you are not the bad guy.

I really like that. Especially if it were a completed form with comments. It really is a little late for that prospective buyer then though.

I have even thought about a pre-printed flyer titled “If You Really Want To Sell Your Home” and cover all the basics that you outlined in detail. You could give it to them when the list with you. That way they may not take it so personally.

~VegasMack

NealRM · 11-13-2007, 01:14 PM

The "prospective buyer feedback" can be more of an observation by an other agent. The key point is that it is comming from a third party. This will give your seller a source to vent at that is not you.

Your idea of a brochure is good. I have seen several on the web. I may also have one that is for photographing a property.

SEOWolf · 11-13-2007, 01:28 PM

I wish I had a dollar for every time I have picked up garbage around a home BEFORE I could take any decent photographs.

Believe it or not I have even had to hire someone to cut grass before.

In a “Sellers Market” your clients can get away with more, but in this market Sellers really do need to cooperate fully.

~VegasMack

Bama-Homer · 11-13-2007, 07:52 PM

I know an agent in my office that cleaned her client's house to make "presentable" for after the closing on the next day... I thought about listing with her for a "trial"...

SEOWolf · 11-14-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bama-Homer

I know an agent in my office that cleaned her client's house to make "presentable" for after the closing on the next day... I thought about listing with her for a "trial"...

LMAO Ed.

If she does windows I will list with here for a week.

~VegasMack

Mert · 11-27-2007, 04:45 PM

As long as you have a big do don't list as a default in presentation on paper. No offense. They actually might think it is funny. Don't make it a verbal part of your speech and actually tell them they might laugh with some of the examples.

mateus · 11-28-2007, 05:09 AM

We have had similar situations also. We make it a point to provide all sellers with a list of things that they need to do to keep the home in a show condition. If there are issues that come up with smells, messes, unsanitary items, ect. I will make it a point to include those things in the showing feedback.

We also have had to cut grass, clean up and sweep, etc.

Feast or Famine will make you do things that you would have never thought of doing 3 years ago....

LegalHomeForms · 12-04-2007, 06:04 AM

My in-laws just sold their house and their agent used:

homefeedback dot com
Everytime they had a showing they got feedback emailed to them. I don't know anything about the prices, etc.