When is it Time to Say Good-bye to your Seller?
Sellers, buyers and folks who I come to meet and get to know me, know that I’m professional, patient, calm and collected. I’ve walked the walk and talked the talk at listing appointments and showings. I’ve stopped taking overpriced listings - yes, I’ve had overpriced listings in the past. I keep in contact with my sellers, answer the phone and give them regularly an up-to-date market status for their respective neighborhoods.
I’m excited when I meet with prospective sellers, who are motivated to sell and have the luxury of owning their home free and clear – yes, no short sale or foreclosure to deal with. Most of my sellers are elderly folks, who are or looking into assistant living or moving back to be close by their adult children. These senior citizens have worked and lived so hard for what they own and are very proud of it; they are meticulously and take care of maintenance issues right away. Understandably, they are overwhelmed and are upset when they are losing their independency. Not to mention explaining to them that we are experiencing a declining real estate market and the value of the homes have dropped tremendously from the years of the real estate boom.
A couple of years ago, I’ve had a signed listing agreement and the lady of the house asked me if I would tear up the contract because she was not ready to move, she even offered to pay me for my time and expenses I’ve incurred so far. I agreed, tore up the contract and asked her just to remember me when she is ready to sell her home and left without taking a dime. A year later the homeowner called me back and I marketed the house for her.
When the homeowner passes away it is a trying time for the adult children or heirs to take care of the selling their parents home, especially when the siblings can’t agree. Recently, I’ve received an offer on the house – the house has seen traffic after we lowered the price, an offer a little low but there is always time for a counter offer. When I submitted the offer to my sellers, I also submitted a market report for their respective neighborhood and explained the current trend in this neighborhood with bank owned and short sale properties, advising on the aspects of taking care of a vacant home, etc. I sensed from the communication that the siblings could not agree on a counter offer therefore would not counter back to the buyer. I reemphasized the importance to counter back, finding out the motivation of the buyer, even if it means to counter back full listing price.
The very next day, I had no alternative but to withdraw the listing agreement for the lack of support and said good-bye to my seller and wished them the best. This is the first time, in my over 10 years of experience, this happened to me and I was totally blindsided by their action.
What would you have done?
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When is it Time to Say Good-bye to your Seller?
Petra Norris
CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
PO Box 92050 - Lakeland, FL 33804-2050
Telephone (863) 619-6918
Managing Broker - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.
(863) 619-6918
