Learning the Market — Twice; or Rinse “Flush and Repeat” What’s the worst thing about a short sale that doesn’t work out (depending on who you ask, the result 50% to 70% of the time)? From the would-be Buyer’s perspective, it’s the frustration and disappointment associated with having flushed months waiting on a home that, ultimately, wasn’t...Read More
Surefire Signs How does a Realtor tell if a home they’re listing is primed to sell? (see also, “Listings and Pots of Water“; “Buyer Feedback: ‘Win, Place, or Show'”). The starting point is their own knowledge of the home relative to nearby, competing homes — as well as the Comp’s (“Comparable Sold Properties”). To sell...Read More
Prelude to a DealCourting my wife in Manhattan in the late ’90’s, I remember my (quick) progression from “Friend,” to “Special Friend,” to “Boyfriend,” to “fiance,” to “husband.” (The only interim title that I really objected to was “Special Friend,” which sounded vaguely insulting.) Is there a similar progression in a real estate “courtship?” Reading...Read More
When Do You Tell the Seller? The Buyer’s Agent called you up after the first showing to say it went well, and to ask a few questions about the house’s condition. The second showing was yesterday. Then, mid-afternoon today, the Buyer’s Agent called to say that she is meeting with her client tonight to write...Read More
Requesting a Sat. Showing on Wed. I don’t have any statistics backing me up, but it sure seems like there’s a relationship between how far in advance a showing is booked, and how serious the Buyer is. The explanation? Here’s my theory: Serious buyers are methodical, and methodical Buyers carefully plan what they want to...Read More
“Listing Agent Must be Present for All Showings” Most listing agents — myself included — are usually not thrilled when a client insists that you be there for all first showings. For one thing, it’s an imposition on your time; for another, prospective Buyers and their agents can view it as crimping their schedule and...Read More
