Reading Into a Leaning “For Sale” Sign
If you’re not in the real estate business, it’s just a leaning “For Sale” sign — in this case, a few blocks west of Cedar Lake, in St. Louis Park’s Fern Hill neighborhood (also known as the “first alphabet”).
Ahhh, but if you’re an agent, such a sign betrays several things about the owner, their agent, and even the likely condition of the home — especially if the sign’s been that way for awhile.
Such as:
–The house is likely a rental. As they say, “nobody washes a rental car.” By contrast, if the home were owner-occupied, the owner would have called the agent to have them correct it.
–The owner/landlord is either out-of-town and/or not paying attention (same logic);
–The listing agent isn’t paying attention (self-evident);
–The broker is a “small fry” vs. one of the majors (in my experience, agents at the big brokers will alert their colleagues if they see a listing “For Sale” sign); and
–The home has been on the market for awhile.
How do I know that?
Because when the ground thaws each Spring, the signs that list the most are the ones that went in before the ground froze (in Minnesota, usually late November).
Sure enough, according to MLS the home has been for sale for over 10 months.
See also, “So That’s Why They Call it a ‘Listing.'”
