Why all homes don’t come to market in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
Recently, I was hired to list a La Canada home. I had the home taped by a professional measurer who developed an easily readable floorplan and our photographer took photos. I placed coming soon ads, posted the for sale sign and ordered open house invitations. Lisa and I collected names and phone numbers of Realtors and potential buyers who had contacted me to view the home. Everything was done; we were ready to go to market.
Then I received a call from the homeowner, there was a serious illness in the family and he had to travel out of state. No time, for decluttering, painting touch ups and the other little things one generally does to prepare their home for market. Most home sellers elect to spruce up their home, then list it in the multiple listing service (MLS) and the home is then exposed to hundreds (and hundreds) of potential home buyers. But this homeowner was unable to complete the task. He knew he only had one opportunity to make a favorable first impression and he didn’t want to have the home toured by hundreds in its present disheveled condition.
I asked him if he would like to allow one showing, to one of Lisa’s buyers. I did explain that if we were to list the home in the MLS (AFTER it was spruced up); we might likely sell over asking price. But his dilemma was he couldn’t take the time to get it ready for market.
Lisa showed the house with all of its blemishes and her home buyer was excited about the prospect of not competing with others. Her buyer agreed to pay asking price and the home entered and closed escrow (cluttered closets and all).
Each home owner and each buyer have different priorities. This seller had a need to sell his home sooner, rather than later. He didn’t want to have his home listed in the multiple in its present condition because he knew he couldn’t command top dollar. Lisa’s buyer realized that by looking beyond the everyday mess and clutter that he had the opportunity to not compete with others. This was a win-win for both buyer and seller.
Related Posts: Coming Soon Marketing, let’s get started
The Anatomy of a Perfect Escrow
Is home staging really important?
Selling Your Home: clean out the closets
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Then I received a call from the homeowner, there was a serious illness in the family and he had to travel out of state. No time, for decluttering, painting touch ups and the other little things one generally does to prepare their home for market. Most home sellers elect to spruce up their home, then list it in the multiple listing service (MLS) and the home is then exposed to hundreds (and hundreds) of potential home buyers. But this homeowner was unable to complete the task. He knew he only had one opportunity to make a favorable first impression and he didn’t want to have the home toured by hundreds in its present disheveled condition.
I asked him if he would like to allow one showing, to one of Lisa’s buyers. I did explain that if we were to list the home in the MLS (AFTER it was spruced up); we might likely sell over asking price. But his dilemma was he couldn’t take the time to get it ready for market.
Lisa showed the house with all of its blemishes and her home buyer was excited about the prospect of not competing with others. Her buyer agreed to pay asking price and the home entered and closed escrow (cluttered closets and all).
Each home owner and each buyer have different priorities. This seller had a need to sell his home sooner, rather than later. He didn’t want to have his home listed in the multiple in its present condition because he knew he couldn’t command top dollar. Lisa’s buyer realized that by looking beyond the everyday mess and clutter that he had the opportunity to not compete with others. This was a win-win for both buyer and seller.
Related Posts: Coming Soon Marketing, let’s get started
The Anatomy of a Perfect Escrow
Is home staging really important?
Selling Your Home: clean out the closets
Tweet
Posted by Phyllis Harb at 4/20/2011 1:27 AM 
Categories: Home Staging, A Seller's Perspective
Tags: why some homes are sold prior to submitting to the MLS
Categories: Home Staging, A Seller's Perspective
Tags: why some homes are sold prior to submitting to the MLS
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