Let’s Give Them Information and Get Your House Sold

I suppose the holiday season plays some part in my reflections on the past year, professionally and personally, and the industry in which I function.  As a Realtor, you might think I’m in the business of selling homes, but bricks and mortar are not at all what it’s about.  In reality, I’m in the people business.  An excited smile on the face of a buyer when I finally get to say “you got the house,” is my reward, as is the relief erasing deep lines of tension on the forehead of a seller left behind to mop up the final details of a home sale.

I’m lucky enough to be there at times of transition, when my support is a rock they can lean on, so it disturbs me more than I can say when I hear stories about agents who care far more about themselves than the people they represent.  It is not unusual for a listing agent to suggest to an unwary seller that his/her buyer is the best choice because . . . you fill in the blank.  Unfortunately, it may or may not be true.  With a much higher commission at stake, it’s easy for some to convince you and themselves that they’re acting in your best interest.   You need information presented to you in a dispassionate way.

Then there’s the question about how much information should be shared about your property.  A days old post in the blogosphere brought the topic front and center for me . . . again.  Believing that the ultimate goal is to get your home sold at the best price the current market will bear, in a timely fashion, we want it to be found — by a lot of potential buyers.  Understanding that people in search of real estate are likely to want to know where it is, I always (with my sellers’ permission) include the address.  Sometimes purchasers are interested in a particular school, or proximity to highways or shopping.  If they have no defining data, they very well might pass on your home, depriving you of what might be the perfect match.