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Are you a "Seller" or "For Sale-r"?

Are you a seller or "For Sale-r"? I have had the fortune of speaking with folks who have had homes "listed" but have not sold. Thus, the listing has "expired." And I can truly say that every expired listing homeowner I have met with has been a "For Sale-r".

I believe folks who say they want to sell their homes fall into one of these two categories - "Seller" or "For Sale-rs". Both of these are different sides of the same coin.

What is the word I am thinking of? Oh, a dichotomy - two different, contradictory positions.

First of all, let me say that the"For Sale-r" is not always the cause for her or his condition. They are sometimes the unfortunate benefactor of poor advice, be it from a friend, neighbor, or their real estate agent. Yes, real estate agents do give bad advice on occasion.

So, what is a "For Sale-r"? Some or even all of these characteristics are or may be present in a "For Sale-r"....

List a house for sale at a price that is ~~probably~~ too high for the neighborhood.
Do nothing to prepare the home for showings [clean, de-clutter, take care of the little maintenance issues, curb appeal],
Don't allow an electronic lockbox - Potential buyers must give 24 hours notice for showings,
Owner (or agent) must be present for all showings,
Not willing to negotiate on an offer "less than list" price,

And, what is a "seller"?

Set a reasonable price considering the market,
Willing to negotiate an offer because you prepared when identifying price,
Have home staged,
Have your home clean,
Make it easy to show your home,
Have your home marketed not just listed in the MLS!

If you are looking to be a "seller" in the Viera, Suntree, Baytree and Rockledge areas of Brevard County, please give me a call. If you would like a free, no-obligation price right analysis, please let me know. Gary Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty Melbourne Florida. Visit my web site www.moving2brevard.com

Posted by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree on 03/01/2008 07:51 AM

Comments (30)

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30 Comments on Are you a "Seller" or "For Sale-r"?

Great perspective on the differences. I like your approach in describing both. I fall in the "Seller" category. Lu

03/01/2008 05:16 PM

by Lu Kalaj (The Michigan Group)

Excellent! I love the term "For Sale-r" You did a great job of explaining the difference. Now if we could just get the for sale-r's to become actual sellers.

03/01/2008 07:28 PM

by Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach Real Estate) (Adams Cameron and Company)

Hey Gary...Amen to that. Great POST!

03/02/2008 04:58 PM

by John March, Broker (Choice Realty Marketing, LLC / Exit Realty Unlimited)

Hi Gary-excellent tips for your future Brevard county sellers. Notice I said seller! :)

03/02/2008 08:17 PM

by Midori Miller-Daytona Beach Florida Real Estate Trainer (CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty)

Great post Gary, love the comparisons and agree with them completely.

03/02/2008 08:22 PM

by JL Boney, III (Russell and Jeffcoat)

JL - Thanks for stopping by and reading...and leaving a comment!

Midori - Thanks for saying "Seller!"

John - Thanks for the comment. Have a great week!

Lisa - You are so right....if we can just convert teh "for sale'r" to sales! Thanks.

Lu - Keep "selling"!

03/03/2008 11:12 AM

by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)

Gary - I couldn't have said it better. I have encountered both kinds and this year I am making sure I am working only with those who are truly sellers. Sometimes you think you have a real seller but see the true colors after the agreement has been signed.

03/03/2008 09:03 PM

by Jennifer Fivelsdal, Rhinebeck NY (Keller Williams Realty)

Sometimes it is hard to see the difference until you chat for a bit and do a bit of work on checking the homes price value. Nice post Gary.

03/04/2008 07:05 PM

by Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FlexIt Realty, a call or click away! (Flexit Realty~Serving West Michigan)

Love the new term! I have met a few "Fore Sale-r's" in my day. These days we only list properties that actually have sellers, it isn't worth it to invest your time in money with the other.

03/05/2008 07:32 AM

by Debbie Summers (RE/MAX Central - Lake Mary, FL)

Debbie - Turning them "For Sale-r's" is the tough job. Thanks.

Gary - That is right. When you dig dep and understand the motivation, you can tell - and react appropriately! Thanks

Jennifer - Turning motivated "for Sale-r's" into sellers is a challenge. Thanks

03/05/2008 08:40 AM

by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)

Hi Gary,

Never heard it like that before, makes perfect sense. Great post.

03/05/2008 09:24 AM

by Peggy K - Illinois Virtual Tour Provider and Real Estate Photographer (Grand Property Virtual Tours)

Peggy K...Thanks for the read and comment. Have a great day!

03/05/2008 12:33 PM

by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)

Most of my buyers unless it is an investment property walk away if not run if they other agent has to be present or a 24 hour notice is required. (If it a tenant situation, they understand, but never for average home seller)

03/07/2008 12:21 AM

by Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Washington Co, Beaverton Oregon) (Kastings & Associates, Beaverton Oregon Real Estate)

Tenants do make it a challenge for a seller and agent. Thanks, Todd!

03/07/2008 05:05 PM

by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)

Gary, I make my living off of expired listings. The reason they don't sell is almost always the price first and second..dificult to show. I'm always surprised how easy it is for me to go in and the property priced right. Usually when I ask them how they came up with their origianl pricing they say they just said this is what they wanted and their REALTOR(R) just agreed and placed it on the market. The REALTOR(R) didn't even try to get it priced right!!! That just amazes me.

03/12/2008 02:30 PM

by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc

Gary - Absolutely perfect very well articulated. This one is worthy of being added to a Realtors marketing material

03/17/2008 02:11 PM

by Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage)

Kathy - Your praise is appreciated. Thanks!

03/17/2008 10:48 PM

by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)

Gary - Excellent post! Thanks for sharing this with us on ActiveRain! Your comparison is right on target.

03/27/2008 04:30 AM

by Joseph Ellman (Realty Executives- Williams-Sykes Realty)

Joseph - Thanks for the read and comment.

03/27/2008 07:11 AM

by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)

It cracked me up on Sunday when the front page article in the FL Today real estate section was titled something like "The price you list your house at does make a difference". Seems like the most basic of selling principles, but I guess there are those out there that will have a light bulb turn on when they read that article.

03/27/2008 08:19 AM

by Daniel Gates (PuroClean Professional Restorers)

Yeah I was surprised as well. I posted a little bit on my other blog about the fact that Florida Today finally got it right. Thanks for the comment.

03/27/2008 02:40 PM

by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)

Thanks for the comment~ Leilani

04/03/2008 12:26 PM

by Leilani Almazan (Integrity First Realty )

Great post!!

Thank you,

Andy

04/03/2008 01:58 PM

by Shelter Insurance® Andy Jones (Shelter Insurance®)

Gary, great post!!! Sellers can learn a ton from this!

04/04/2008 06:05 PM

by Mark Organek - Tempe Gilbert Mesa Chandler REALTOR (RE/MAX Alliance)

Thanks for the read and the comment, Mark. Have a great weekend!

04/04/2008 06:10 PM

by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)

We're seeing less and less of the for-salers. Finally! The inventory has been dropping, slowly but surely. And it's not because of increased sales. It would be nice if that was the reason, but it's also nice to see the for-salers, who are not serious, finally getting those properties off the market.

Now where is your video entry!?!

04/06/2008 04:51 PM

by Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach Real Estate) (Adams Cameron and Company)

I almost became a "For Sale-er" today- client wants home listed at $40,000 above where it should be. I just can't do it. Why waste all that time and energy, and why have her thinking it's going to sell?

04/11/2008 06:40 PM

by Lake Wallenpaupack Pike County PA Real Estate | Karen E Rice (WEICHERT, REALTORS® Paupack Group )

I enjoyed this blog and loved the comparison between both types it does put things in to perspective. Thanks again and keep up the great blogging!

04/13/2008 11:48 PM

by Dione Sage (Nova Home Loans)

Thank you Gary! Another outstanding post.

I have decided, you need a column in Fla Today's Sunday Real Estate Section. You can alternate with Babara Wall. Michael Pruitt does not participate anymore. Please, please consider this. Contact the editor and BE PERSISTENT. You are a great addition to our real estate market here in Brevard!!

04/26/2008 07:52 PM

by Nora Marek (321)795-8761~ Melbourne Home Staging (Home Stager Brevard County, Florida)

Nora - Thanks..you are so kind. Yep, I wish the FT would take some of my blogs and run them!

04/27/2008 06:45 AM

by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)