I’ve been showing homes for 6 days straight with 4 different clients. The results were one contract, one likely contract, and two will wait until next fall before pulling the trigger. It feels like 2005.
I’m starting to see some homes that really surprise me with how inexpensive they are. I haven’t seen many homes like that since 2004.
But that’s not the point of this post.
How not to sell your home
Make it hard to find the home.
When writing a description in the MLS first give the two major cross streets. Great. Standard. So far so good.
Then say something like “take first right onto…” Well, do I drive north, south, east or west from the intersection to find the street?
I ended up trying all four directions and eventually found the home on the last direction I tried.
I bet many Realtors gave up and didn’t find or show the home.
Oh yeah, list the home as being in the wrong subdivision just so it’s not too easy for Realtors to find and show the home.
That bank owned home hasn’t sold. Surprise, surprise.
If they can’t see it, they can’t buy it.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Mike // May 8, 2008 at 8:46 am
I am a buyer and have been viewing homes for a little bit with my Agent. I am constantly surprised when we go out that she doesn’t have a GPS navigation system. To me this is a MUST for your job as an agent. I have a blackberry with Google Maps that I can easily get directions from an address. In this age of information at our fingertips it really isn’t surprising that the sellers don’t give directions. Even if you don’t use a GPS you are looking up these homes on your computer aren’t you? Just copy that address into your favorite mapping website and get directions… then print it along with the listing.
2 John Wake - Real Estate // May 8, 2008 at 8:59 am
Yeah, you gotta have a GPS but is many new areas like Queen Creek and Maricopa the GPS doesn’t work because they don’t have the new roads on their maps. At least mine didn’t.
My GPS unit was stolen out of my car Sunday night. [I gotta remember to lock my doors!] I’ve ordered a new one. We’ll see if it’s maps are more up to date.
Ditto about internet maps, they often don’t have the new subdivisions.
3 Mike // May 8, 2008 at 9:29 am
Point taken. As a seller you should know if the maps are up to date and include your home. If say you are selling a home that is 5 years old I don’t think the agent should expect driving directions in the listing. However if your selling from a brand new subdivision, they yes, you have to include these.
My surprise was coming from looking at established subdivisions with homes built 5-10 years ago and my agent still lost because she didn’t have clear directions before we set out.
4 James Harrow // May 17, 2008 at 4:46 am
I know this problem all too well. GPS is obviously a must have in this job, but as all road maps will never be available or up-to-date, so the problem is only partially solved.
Leave a Comment