I have this bad habit. I really like to win. Often I really like to win just for the sake of winning and not because I want the prize.
This week, I got a call from some people who wanted to sell their house. I stopped by to see it, and it was pretty badly beaten up. Their housekeeping was worse than mine, the place smelled funny, and the bathrooms had athletes foot.
Geeze!
I then proceeded to do a full court press to wow them.
Pick me!
Love me!
But wait! I don't want this listing! It's going to be overpriced! It's dirty, lousy and full of fleas! They don't want to pay a full brokerage fee!
I tell myself we can stage the place. I can convince them to live like compulsive neat freaks until we find a buyer. Challenges are fun! I can change them. I can change the house.
But no I can't! It doesn't work that way. Not with husbands. Not with houses and their owners.
I'm sure they can find someone who will list it at their price, reduce his fees, and assure them that buyers have a lot of imagination and will look beyond the clutter and housitosis.
But I'm not that agent.
In this market, I would say thanks, but really, no thanks.
Pat, RUN. :)
Pat - I've actually said just THAT! And, even after making that statement - they wanted to list with me. My biggest problem is that I have a hard time saying no. So, take it from me - trust your gut. Say NO!
Good for you!!
I've decided to not compromise my reputation by taking listings that are not sellable. I work way too hard to have to contend with that kind of unpleasantness.
I would take that listing at a higher commission rate!
Good move - better than you take the listing and have to babysit it for a year and then it not sell.
Oh my! So did you walk away? Or did they come to their senses?
It is part of our personality. As agents we want everyone to love us. It has taken me time to learn the discipline to not fight for every piece of business. I still catch myself at times.
Great post!
Can you ask them to move out and live in temporary housing while the house is on the market? I told a seller that once. They actually, very readily, moved out so we could show the house vacant. Vacant looked a million times better than occupied, though there was no money left for them to stage. I marketed as "bring your decorating ideas" and had multiple offers in 4 days playing back and forth against each other. It was fun, and the sellers were grateful.
It doesn't hurt to ask if they could move out... otherwise, I agree that you don't want that listing!
It's hard to resist the temptation when you have less business than you would like. I would take that listing, but only if I thought it might bring me additional business via sign calls or Open Houses and only if the flea issue was resolved first. Yuck!
Hi Pat... Sometimes being a successful business person means knowing when to turn away business. Sounds like you've learned that!
Carol, yeah. When you say no they seem to really, really want you!
And Donna, that could work, but the place is still pretty funky.
These are always difficult for the seller who does not see the situation for what it is. Sometimes you have to walk away for your benefit/sanity. There may be someone out there that can make those situations work for the seller.
Location can make a difference on one of those homes. I grabbed one that I thought would be a hard sell for lack of living space but the lake view moved it and faster than some of my other lisitings.
Patricia- I know what you mean. There are some listings that we just say, we are not a good fit.
Even the best agent can only do so much in convincing a seller of what needs to be done to make their home competitive in today's market. Unless these sellers were willing to lower their list price to reflect the current condition of the home, I would move on.
Pat: My first thought is... wow... if you think you don't like this house NOW... what are you going to think about it four months from now ? I would walk away from it. But first, I think, I am wondering out loud to myself if I should just tell them what they need to do... even if someone else gets it listed. I don't know. It just popped into my mind. What do you think ?
Donna: What a terrific idea ! I never would have thought of that... but yes, that is something that I would easily have the nerve to tell them. If they did it, cool... if not... nothing lost. Thanks so much for sharing your idea ! ( thanks pat )
Pat, There is something about the competitive nature of a real estate agent that just makes us want to "win" even if it's not in our best interest.
Housitosis? Hahahaha! That's great.
Oh, I hear ya, girl. Compete is my middle name. But, I have learned to say no. I rarely take a listing for less than our full brokerage fee, especially these days. It's hard enough to market a good listing let alone one like you described. And, if I can't negotiate what I'm worth, how can I negotiate what your home is worth? Good for you!
Karen Anne, yeah! Hating the unsold house would happen. And I would feel guilty!
Patricia, very good point. We have to learn to say no sometimes. Thanks.
Hi Patricia. I have that same problem!! I will go on listing appointments that I just know I don't want because of the problems you have listed above and when I leave and talk to my team they look at me and shake their head and ask me why I would take that listing. I am getting better at walking away. :)
Pat - Glad you did not take it! Listings like that are just not worth it - listings take time, money to market and did I mention time? If you know they are not going to work with you it is not worth your time! Good move!
Pat, I know you were happy to turn it down. Some listings are just better to be "without."
Oh for the days when a house that looked and smelled like a barn would sell in 2 hours. I agree with the extra high commission incentive, beyond that.......save your energy.
Patricia - You sound like me - I'm pretty competitive, but some things just aren't worth "winning". :)
Pat, gotta ask. . .how can you tell that a bathroom has "athletes foot"? Were the homeowners scratching their feet a lot?
Teri, whether or not the owners scratch, I don't care. But when an agent or buyer is scratching, that's not good!