Comments on: How Is Your Sleep?

By: Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk — Fri, 08 May 2009 23:35:21 +0000

Louise, I would too, thanks for stopping by.

Ken, I have that in another piece too, and it is true the market will determine the price. But, we have to tell them something and I am all about the truth up front. Then if the market rejects the price we adjust. To start off higher than what the comps say is not truthful.

Matt, you can use any of my stuff, any time. Glad to share.

Bawldguy, I always through in how much my own home had depreciated and that I know how they feel. I know they know I’m not lying but still they are disappointed.

Lani, thank you and I guess it could of been said differently but hey it’s the media what do we expect. It rings true with them. I like being that second Realtor in and am many times, only a few Realtor here let go of that listing come hell or high water.

Elaine, most do but many know in their gut and I have had sellers tell me to put it on the low end of the market analysis, those homes sell quickly. The day of ‘testing” is over in MI. Who knows where it will be next month? I did have one guy leap across the table at me. I politely shook his hand and said good luck, I know you will find a wonderful Realtor to list your home. They did and it sold under what I said a year later.

By: Elaine Reese

Elaine Reese — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:45:39 +0000

I hate asking for price reductions, and always “try” to give a price close to where I think the home will sell. But as we know, if the sellers are interviewing several agents, they’re always going to select the one with the inflated price because they think that agent sees “the true value” of their home. The rest of us are “just trying to sell their home cheap”.

By: Lani Rosales

Lani Rosales — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:37:52 +0000

Consumer Reports may have framed it in a troubling way, it is unfortunately the sentiment felt by many consumers because of individual agents’ behavior. Missy, I think anyone that knows you is aware that you are one of the good ones and would NEVER compromise your integrity for a dollar. It’s unfortunately that the ol’ bait & switch still happens- just tell ‘em like it is and if they don’t like it, they’re not looking for reality, they’re looking for a dream.

By: BawldGuy

BawldGuy — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:07:03 +0000

My experience has been clients know you’re being honest with them, and over time they come to trust you big time. You started the relationship by looking them in the eye and telling them their idea of value required major surgery. You proved it. You never blinked.

That’s the kind of agent they want on their side.

By: Matt Stigliano

Matt Stigliano — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:49:35 +0000

Missy – That quote is a great one. I might have to “borrow” it from you. I sleep like a baby at night. I know I give my clients the answers that I know are true, not the ones they want to hear.

By: Ken Montville - The MD Suburbs of DC

Ken Montville - The MD Suburbs of DC — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:35:03 +0000

This is especially true in this market. We are doing the seller no favors by massaging their egos about how their house is so wonderful that it will most certainly fetch a higher price than all the comps. Puh..leeze. Sellers are emotional. They love their house. They’ve lived in it, maybe raised a family in it…and maybe fixed it up a bit.

Aside from the nice integrity quote you had in the blog post I have often heard that the Seller doesn’t set the price, the agent doesn’t set the price…the market sets the price. Mr. Market is merciless and he doesn’t care about the nice ceiling fans, deck or “need” for [x] dollars.

By: Louise Scoggins

Louise Scoggins — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:29:37 +0000

Under-promise and over-deliver…such is the job of a listing agent to rightfully set the expectations of selling your home in a buyer’s market laced with foreclosures and agressively priced homes. I’d rather tell the truth upfront than have to backtrack later!