When Subjectivity Isn’t Just Superficial “If the Comp’s aren’t convincing enough, Realtor “Jane Doe” will take Sellers on tours of comparable properties. “They can see this other house is in much better condition, and it’s priced $20,000 less than theirs. It’s eye-opening.” –Spokane agent, sharing her strategy for working with unrealistic Sellers in “Setting Them Straight”; Realtor Magazine...Read More
Late Summer Housing Market: Out With the Old (Realtor), In With the New(?) With more long-in-the tooth listings set to expire as the end of Summer approaches, many frustrated (and not a few overpriced) would-be Sellers are contemplating a change in strategy — and Realtors. However, successor Realtors looking to pick up such business need...Read More
“Nice Try” Department I give the listing agent (representing the Seller) credit for trying: the line (above) certainly sounds like a compliment. And it may even have been true, once upon a time. But, best guesses are: a) the home was built a long time ago; and b) it’s hardly beautiful now (there were no pictures accompanying...Read More
(Top) Ten Commandments (“#6. No Free Samples”) You wouldn’t think Realtors hosting Sunday open houses would have to instruct parents to tell their kids not to jump on the beds in the owner’s home. Unfortunately . . . you’d be wrong. While the vast majority of open house visitors are respectful of the “For Sale”...Read More
“Three Strikes & You’re Out!” Even under the best of circumstances, today’s deluge over much of the Twin Cities would have kept down attendance on Broker Tour (held each Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). However, combine that with the first day back after a long holiday weekend (strike #2); and the fact that...Read More
Projected List Price: $500k . . or $800k” Agents at a recent Realtor meeting got a chuckle listening to a colleague do some pre-list marketing for an upcoming property. Projected list price: “$500k — or $800k.” Umm . . . huh?!? It turns out the home needs significant updating, and the owner is trying to...Read More
