One of the first questions I ask every seller is, "Why are you selling?"
We all know the reasons are many -- job change, downsizing, upsizing, divorce. And many times I've heard the seller slip in, "But I don't have to sell..."
My goal as the listing agent is to get the house sold in the shortest amount of time possible, getting the seller the greatest amount of money possible. So when I hear, "I don't have to sell" as any part of the response to the "why are you selling" question, I have to ask myself, "Does the seller really have the same goal as I do?"
If the motivation to sell is not there 100%, feedback from showings, updates on the current market, and reports on overall activity mean nothing to the seller. And if that's the case, should I really be working with this seller? Probably not.
To be the most effective and efficient Realtor® I need to be, I have to focus my time and energies on the sellers who do share the same goal I have.
I know that in any market -- even with the challenges of today -- every house can be sold -- assuming that's really what every seller wants.
Thank you Peggy .... it is amazing how many folks just won't qualify the seller ... but we will all jump to the task of qualifying the buyer 'cause ..."I'm not going to waste my time with a buyer who can't buy ...." There are two sides to a listing, and the first one starts with a truly willing seller ....
Your so right Peggy. We shouldn't want it more than they do. If I take a listing, I want to sell it for my clients, in the least amount of time for the most money!!! I am going to work hard to make this happen. It's not because I want to sell it fast for the commission, it's to do my job, and to do it well. If we aren't on same page, then one party is going to be frustrated and that's no good.
Jack -- Exactly. I've found myself in situations where the buyer, over time, changes from "I want to sell" to "I don't have to sell." Uh-oh. Tough, tough situation. But I have found it's best to be honest and tell them I am simply not the agent for them. Thank you for your feedback!!
Kim -- "We shouldn't want it more than they do." Perfectly said -- nothing is worse than spinning your wheels trying to make something happen that the seller really doesn't want! Thank you for stopping by!