This is an article I wrote back in February. I decided to bring it to the forefront because I just spent several hours going over the expired listings in my area again. I send out packages to those sellers in the Bremerton and Silverdale area who have not been able to sell their home. My letter starts off with the phrase, ” If you’re reading this then your real estate agent didn’t sell your house”. I just want sellers to know that there are a ton of real estate agents out there these days because of the past boom in the market and as my saying goes…not everyone is good at selling real estate. During the last 4 or so years there have been hundreds of people take the 60 hour course and pass the state exam and go to work for brokerages across our area. I can tell you that many will be getting out of the business this year as many did in the previous 6 months.
The reason I am a little steamed right now is because as I was going through the MLS I couldn’t believe the “crap” yes I say “crap” I saw. Horrible pictures, unstaged homes, listings that only had 1.5 sentences to describe them, homes with 1 picture (gee that is mandated by the MLS), homes with 3 pictures!! I am just so irritated with agents that can’t or won’t do their jobs!!! Many of the letters I will be sending out in the morning will be to owners who had horrible agents!! Ok – rant over. Now please read the blog I posted in Feb and remember there are several real estate professionals and I am one, so if you need help just give me a shout!!
- Expired Dump?
I was doing some market research today and decided to really look and look hard at expired listings in my market area. I know the blah; blah; blah…if it isn’t priced right it won’t sell. I started to look at homes and really thought the price was right or in a range that with a little negotiation there would or should have been a buyer. So why didn’t some of these homes sale. I will tell you - BECAUSE THEIR AGENTS WERE LAZY!!! Now, that might sound strong and maybe not sound professional but it is the truth!!
In my market area the NWMLS allows us to upload 15 photos.You can also write a short description that for each photo. I did research on 42 homes in the West Bremerton area and there were only 5 listings with a total of 15 photos. Of those listings with 15 photos only 3 had descriptions entered. THAT JUST AIN’T RIGHT! The average for the 42 homes was 7 pictures.
Isn’t the NWMLS your FIRST IMPRESSION! Unless a person sees the home while driving by, then yes it is. The listing in the multiple usually is the first time most agents and most buyers see what your home looks like when you put it on the market. Wouldn’t it be best to have as many pictures as allowed with descriptions?
So Mr. / Ms Seller, did you see what your home looked like online? Did you like what you saw? If you didn’t did you have a conversation with your agent? What did they say?
The real estate market in the Bremerton area is off to a great 2008, so if you want to SELL your house this year and not just LIST it - Call me! I use all 15 pictures and they will be good pictures because I will not allow you to have your home on the market in sub par condition. I will make your home’s FIRST IMPRESSION one the real estate community and the buyers in the area will remember.
I have visited this site on many an occasion now but this post is the 1st one that I have ever commented on.
Congratulations on such a fine article and site I have found it very helpful and informative – I only wish that there were more out there like this one.
I never leave empty handed, sometimes I may even be a little disappointed that I may not agree with a post or reply that has been made. But hey! that is life and if every one agreed on the same thing what a boring old world we would live in.
Keep up the good work and cheers.
Suzanne, Thanks so much for the comments. I am glad you have found articles helpful. If you any questions about real estate just let me know and I can write a specific piece.
Thanks for the inspiration!