A couple of days ago I wrote a post, What I Ask of My Buyers. Now it's my seller's turn.
These past couple of years have been especially challenging for sellers and agents alike. I really think it's more important than ever to work together, as a team, to get the job done. So here is what I ask of you.
Honesty -- Why are you moving? Has there been a job loss? Is there a pending divorce? Are you upside down on your mortgage? I know it can be embarrassing and scary to have to talk about the more difficult reasons some folks are having to sell their home these days. But if I have all the information -- even the not-so-pretty stuff -- about your circumstances, we can both work smarter and more efficiently in getting the job done.
Trust Me -- You hired me for my expertise. I am "out there" every day watching what is happening in your market. I am reading blogs, newspaper articles and magazine articles, and talking with colleagues and industry experts to gain more knowledge about what marketing techniques work the best, what is expected to happen with interest rates, what has been happening and what is expected to happen with prices in your community. The graphs, charts, and statistics I show you are facts. To get your house sold, we both have to pay attention to them.
Hear What the Market is Telling You -- I will do everything I can to provide you with feedback from private showings and open houses. Sometimes what perspective buyers have to say isn't so easy to hear but they are determining the value of your home. They are out there checking out your competition and comparing each home to the next. They will determine the value of your house, regardless of what you need or want to walk away with.
Keep Me Informed -- If anything about your home selling plans changes, tell me. If you have decided to declare bankruptcy, tell me. If you have received notice of foreclosure proceedings starting, tell me. If you have decided that you really don't need or want to sell right now, tell me. If anything in your personal circumstances has changed, tell me. Each of these does affect the strategy we need to follow and the steps we need to take to get your house sold.
Understand Neither I Nor Any Agent Can Make A Buyer Write an Offer -- I cannot make an agent who shows your house write an offer on it. That agent cannot make their buyer write an offer. I cannot make any buyer I show your house to write an offer. The buyer decides which of the houses they've seen is "the one" for them.
Understand How Real Estate Agents Are Compensated -- As I said in my earlier post, I think many consumers assume that real estate agents are paid a salary in addition to commission. That's not the case. We do not get paid until we close on a property. Therefore, I have to do everything I can to ensure that the sellers I am working with are committed to selling. There is an expense involved in marketing a home, and to survive in the business, I have to be assured my sellers are as committed to selling their house as I am.
I need you to help me just as you need me to help you. So let's be committed to working together to help you reach that goal of selling your house.
In this market it is a loosing battle if the seller is not committed to selling.
Great Post, very nice to see when sellers actually are in tune with their agent!
Alan -- You can say that again! Both the seller and their agent have to have the same goal -- sell, sell, sell!
Dagny -- thank you. We have to be in tune with each to get the job done. Otherwise, we just end up spinning our wheels.
Thank you both for stopping by!!