| Today I was conducting an MLS search for a client in | | | | bunch. It is hard to get enthused over a home that |
| an area that was entry-level priced, so consequently | | | | only has one photo. Worse still, some have none. If |
| there were many, many homes to choose from. | | | | the lister does not care enough to display the |
| Whilst refining the search to better tailor it to my | | | | attributes of the home, why would you expect a |
| customer's needs, I could not help but be amazed by | | | | potential buyer to care. Also, I do not buy into the |
| how many Realtors had "shot themselves in the | | | | "It's a new listing" argument. In this day and age, who |
| foot" in the remarks portion of the listing. Buyers | | | | does not own or have access to a digital camera? |
| have a multitude of choices, in this market, when | | | | Come on people, make an effort! |
| choosing a home. The last thing you should do as | | | | Huge co-brokes are also a turn-off. After all, who is |
| listing agent, is relegate your home to the "only see if | | | | ultimately paying for them? The buyer, of course. |
| nothing else suits" pile. | | | | How about this one; "Seller will contribute |
| In the next few paragraphs I will furnish actual | | | | (car)(boat)(helicopter) with reasonable offer." |
| examples of search-ending folly, which range from | | | | Reasonable to whom? |
| the merely unimaginative to the downright ridiculous. | | | | This one made me laugh out loud, "It's a little rough |
| "Motivated seller"; if I had a dime for every time I | | | | right now, but will be nice by close of escrow". |
| saw this phrase in a listing I would be much wealthier | | | | Doesn't that make you want to jump in your car and |
| than I already am. It ranks right up there with the | | | | race over there. If it is not yet ready for sale, do |
| adjective "nice" on the blandness scale. From the | | | | not list it. You only get one chance to make a first |
| same family of real estate no-nos we also get | | | | impression. (See remarks re: photos above) |
| "instant equity" which ranks right up there, but also | | | | Try to make the property as easy to show as |
| earns points for its ability to foster law suits later on. | | | | possible. Asking buyers to call Bill, the owner's cousin, |
| Its cousin "below appraisal", while technically accurate, | | | | to ask him to tell Fred, the neighbor, to leave the |
| is plain silly because by definition an appraisal is merely | | | | key under the mat with 24 hours notice will not likely |
| a snapshot of value based on historical sales, which in | | | | get the home shown. |
| our falling market will naturally have been higher. | | | | This is not rocket science, and in an overcrowded |
| Another turn off for buyers is "chandelier does not | | | | real estate market it is imperative to make the |
| convey". It seems innocuous, but nobody likes to | | | | process as easy and smooth as possible for a |
| have something taken away from them. If it does | | | | potential buyer. I hope these tips have helped. Finally, |
| not convey, take it out before you list the home. It | | | | to my fellow Realtors I have one word, please take |
| makes for more pleasant negotiations. | | | | heed accordingly "Spellcheck". |
| Homebuyers, like all consumers, are a very visual | | | | |