. . . vs. a Pound of Cure The “ounce of prevention” — at least for the listing agent (representing the home seller) — is straightforward: when the appraiser (representing the Buyer’s lender) schedules an appointment to view their client’s home, they email or call to introduce themselves. My usual m.o. is to tell the...Read More
True or False On top of the “payout” commission listed on MLS, Sellers will sometimes dangle an extra incentive for Buyers’ agents. The most common (and straightforward) is simply a cash bonus, payable upon successful closing. How smart is that — and what situation(s) is that most effective? Read through the following three scenarios, and...Read More
Realtor Rationalizations Why would a Realtor quote a would-be Seller an unrealistically high list price? Because the agent believes it’s the only way they’ll get hired. The practice — called “buying the listing” — virtually assures that the home will sit, ignored, while it accumulates market time, until eventually the agent broaches the subject of...Read More
But, the Seller (Understandably) May Not Go For It Show me a listing agent (representing the Seller) who’s supremely confident that their client’s home will appraise . . . and I’ll show you a home that sold for too little. Huh?? I only know of two ways to absolutely, positively eliminate the risk of a...Read More
Realtor Double Standards “Have you ever noticed that their stuff is shit and your shit is stuff?” –George Carlin Whether a home is a dump or a castle can depend on who the agent is, and their relationship to the property. So, I’m aware of a few Twin Cities agents who are rather infamous for finding...Read More
Tackling the Big Stuff — or Just Cosmetics? Occasionally, I see a listing agent who takes pains to assure Buyers’ agents in the “Agent Remarks” field on MLS (seen only by Realtors) that the home “is not a flip.” What’s going on? The listing agent (representing the Seller) wants Buyers to know that the home hasn’t...Read More
