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