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A Remarkable Record
A client recently shared a story with me about her real estate agent while I was picking up things from her sold home. She was so excited and pleased with her agent that her house had sold the first day at over full price with a backup offer coming in two days later. We talked about how, in my experience, this agent has a remarkable record for getting much the same results for virtually all of the clients he works with.
She told me how much she loved working with him and respected him then added, “Please don’t tell him this, but when one of my friends heard I was working with him she could not believe it!” I asked her why and she explained that her friend had interviewed him for her own home and was angry and shocked that he told her she needed to clean up her house and get it ready for market. She was appalled that anyone would have the nerve to criticize her home.
An Affinity For Collections
My client continued to explain that her friend went on to interview three different agents, one of whom absolutely loved her house which was filled with several collectibles and was a showcase of her very extended family. In fact, the third agent loved it so much she spent three hours at her home admiring her collections and told her she would not change a thing and to put it on the market that very day. Well, of course her friend was quite reassured to know that her personal style and somewhat crowded home was perfect for marketing a home for sale, so she listed with the last agent. The extra bonus was this agent even felt her home was worth more than any other agent had thought.
As you might have already guessed, although the friend’s house was listed first, her friend’s house has not sold. Now don’t misunderstand, my client was not thrilled when the first agent came in and told her there was work to be done before he would list her house, but she appreciated his honesty and once he pointed out the types of things that buyers could see as negatives, she understood how her home could be made more marketable. She also recognized that because of his knowledge of the area her home was located in, when he explained the difference between what people were asking for their homes compared to what they were actually selling for, she could see what a realistic listing price should be. Judging by the first day on market sale, his recommendations were correct.
It’s a Business Matter
At the end of the day, the seller who may have had a couple feelings hurt up front is the one who ends up loving their agent. Suggesting that a home be properly prepared for sale is not a personal attack. It is a business matter; the business of getting a home sold quickly and for the price desired. Pricing the home to attract the right buyers from the start will draw the most attention making the hard work and investment in staging profitable. I have a feeling this client’s friend just might be having a change of heart pretty soon and will be rethinking her decision on which agent was really looking to represent her best interests.
