This can be clarified easily. I do not want a listing to pump up my numbers. I want a listing because I can sell it and so can anyone else. This is a good point to raise at listing interviews. You are deciding whether to take the listing and they are deciding whether to use you. Think of it as stock in your store.
Let's Dish on Real Estate
Does the Listing Agent Care If He Sells My House?
Every once in awhile I see a listing and think to myself, what was the listing agent thinking?
It's obvious the house needs some serious updating. There is furniture covering every wall. It doesn't look like the house has been cleaned in who knows how long and what's with all those plants everywhere?
I suppose all that would be okay if the house is priced right. But they are asking top dollar for this listing.
Well, here's the scoop, the thing that some listing agents don't want to tell you; they look at listings as a numbers game. They leverage listings to get more listings. They don't care if every listing sells. As a matter of fact, they know that a good number will not.
What they will get are calls from other sellers in your neighborhood because they see the agent's sign in your yard. And several calls from buyers. It's okay that the buyers don't want to buy your house. The agent is happy to find them a nicer house but they had to use your house to find that buyer.
Is that what you want? An agent who uses your house to get more business? Wouldn't you rather have an agent who has taken your listing to actually sell your house?
What? You don't think that's possible? Here's what I'll do that they won't. I'll tell you where your house needs updating. I'll show you ways to de-clutter your home and stage it. Then after it's been properly prepared and sparkles everywhere, I'll hire a professional photographer to show your house at its best.
Then we'll price it right. Buyers will be thrilled because it's exactly what they've been looking for. You'll get lots of showings and then before you know it, you'll get an offer.
I won't be using your house to get other listings, I'll be listing your house to actually sell it.
If that's the kind of agent you want to work with, then give me a call. Don't be one of those sellers who says, "Does the listing agent care if he sells my house?"
************************************************************************************Tammie White, Realtor® in Franklin TNCell Phone: (615)495-0752This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property and opinions of Tammie White of Benchmark Realty LLC.
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A fine re-blog. Yes, although I don't take listings as an exclusive buyers agent, I would certainly bring this up in the listing appointment. I have a funny feeling sellers don't know how that game is being played
Cheryl, thanks for the re-blog. I had this come up this week. An agent took a listing that is in desperate need of updating. It showed poorly but I advised the buyers to look past the cosmetics and focus on the bones of the house. They wondered why any listing agent would list such a property. The inspiration for this post.