How Realtors Grade Clients Clients may have a select few words for their Realtors, but Realtors also have some favorite words for their clients. No, not %!%*#! Rather, how “cooperative” they are. What do I mean by that? For Sellers, client cooperation boils down to these three things: 1. Pricing. A cooperative client picks a...Read More
Quirks of a Buyer’s Market One of the more surprising things Buyer’s agents are hearing in today’s market is clients who say, “it’s too nice for us” (or at least, I’m hearing it). Huh? What I think is happening is actually a couple things. One, prices of bigger homes, in very nice neighborhoods, have now...Read More
“The No Feedback” Feedback Unbeknownst to many prospective Buyers, their agents receive emailed “feedback forms” immediately after showing a property. The templates vary, but the general format is to ask for comments regarding the home’s interior condition, exterior condition, curb appeal, staging, and price. Ratings can be either numeric (1-10), or qualitative (“good,” “fair,” “poor,”...Read More
More Turmoil at Star Tribune The stager I work with most often, Lori Matzke, mentioned in passing that her regular Saturday column in the Star Tribune is ending. The column was a highlight for many readers, and juxtaposed “before” and “after” staging shots with Lori’s (always insightful) commentary. That’s one less reason for people to...Read More
Star Trib features (my) Lake Calhoun ListingWant to see a nice piece of staging? Check out the Star Tribune’s online housing section (the print version appeared yesterday): http://www.startribune.com/homes/sell/37008899.html?elr=KArksLckDiUvckDiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU The “before” and “after” shots are of an upstairs bedroom — one of three, and four total – that was initially an afterthought. Post-staging, it’s both inviting...Read More
What Do Realtors Really Get Paid For?[Note: this post is a companion to “Do Realtors Really Add Value?] If all realtors did was chauffeur clients around, realtors should — and would — make what chauffeurs do: about $20 an hour. But what realtors really do — at least in their capacity as listing agents representing...Read More
