It's Just A Fib and I Got The Listing!

Do you prefer to be told the truth about what will get your property sold? Or, would you prefer that we sugar coat things and tell you what you want to hear?

If you prefer to hear what you want to hear, then I am not the agent for you.

Today, I had 4 different people call about us listing their property. Two had listings that had expired. Both of these properties had been on the market for over a year. One was a single family home and the other commercial land.

After doing some research, we determined that the house was over priced by about $20,000. I went out and looked at the house, determined that I could come up a little on the asking price. I shared with the owners what I felt needed to be done in order to sell their home. I explained the market. Then, knowing that they have an agent coming out tomorrow, I explained that I could tell them the price I know they are looking for, but I would be doing them a disservice. I would rather be honest and not get the listing. So, now I wait until tomorrow to see what happens. I fell pretty confident about it thought.

The commercial land appears to be listed about $150,000 above a realistic price. The location is great, the property is nice, but the market is the market. This is an assemblage of three parcels. All of the sellers will be in our office tomorrow morning at 10am to discuss listing their property. Now, I am put in a position that we have to explain how overpriced their property is.

Come to think of it, I have another possible listing that was on the market over 6 months. It started at $800,000. Two months later the agent dropped it to $660,000. And now, the seller is distraught because I am telling them it is only worth $450,000 and they are wondering why they were so mislead. After talking with this owner again today, I am pretty confident that we will be doing business soon.

I hate to think they are mislead on purpose. I would rather think that they were mislead because someone didn't understand how to price the house or commercial land.

Clients want to know the truth. The truth will get you the listing. If it doesnt it is ok, it wouldnt have been worth it.

Maybe they want the listing so bad they dream up these prices.

The fact is, the client is not getting the service they deserve. Soon, they are faced with their property being on the market for a long period of time, needing to sell it, only to find out, it wasnt priced right to begin with.

Is a listing reallly worth having to lie about? Personally, I would think that it would be a waste of the agents time and money as well.

Sellers, the highest price that someone will list your home for is NOT always the best way to go. Seek out an agent that knows the area, knows how properly price, and is actually selling their listings. Go with your gut feeling!

Happy Selling!