...who put your home on the market then turn the utilities off and move? And on top of that, you make no provisions to keep the yard mowed, landscaping fresh looking, and the interior regularly cleaned?
And what is it with you agents who let them get away with this totally idiotic behavior?
If my client won't budge, I just have it done myself and dial it into my marketing budget for that property. It's either do that or watch it not sell.
In the Texas heat, neither agents nor clients go into un-airconditioned homes. And on the chance that they do, that interior weather condition is so much in the forefront of their minds that actually considering buying that home never enters their minds.
I went in a home the other day that had been on the market for a year. "What's my problem?" the owner asked.
"How much do I love thee? Let me count the ways...."
- The utilities weren't on so not only was it stuffy and hot, a prospect couldn't see if they worked.
- Someone had used one of the bathrooms, obviously not knowing that the water was off
- The counters were dusty; the hardwood floors had blobs of mud on them from the time the house was shown when it was raining
- The porches were dirty
- The yard was unmowed-unedged. The only thing missing was a big piece of Texas tumbleweed...and the only reason it was was because it doesn't grow near Dallas, and a piece hadn't blown in here from West Texas
I told the guy, "I'll send you a punch list. Call me when you've got it complete, and we'll get the house sold." Then I winked.
Copyright 2008 - William S. Cherry
I completely agree. You are preaching to the choir! The utilities and curb appeal can make or break the sale.
Great post, Bill! I work a good bit with investors as well leasing property for them. As soon as we lose a tenant, it is SOOO hard to convince them to keep the utilities on while I lease list it, but it is an absolute necessity in the summer!
Hi Bill ... good post. As a Realtor, it's also embarrassing to stumble upon such a property with customers.
I run into that here all the time too! And then the agent calls me and says "What's wrong with my listing?" My other beef .... mail in the mail slot that needs to be picked up and sorted by someone other than me! But it does give hints at times as to what is going on with the house (e.g. foreclosure).
Hello Bill, You are so right, I get fussed at for keeping the utilities on after the sale. I know it does not cost much for an extra few days and if there is any problem with any utility is is easly addressed. The buyers sometimes in their haste forget to have the utilities transfered into their name and they love not spending the night in a house with no utilities.
We are closing on a investor home today that is our property and I will not even call the utility for three days. If the buyers have contacted the utilitie company then it will take care of the transfer if not the three days will not cause undue hardship on us. Yes we do keep up the lawn as well.
SO true Bill! Great post! I wonder how much is really costs by turning off the utilities? People won't stay in a house long that is too hot or too cold or stinks. Most sellers are also buyers and you'd think they would know that!
Bill, Great points! An excellent list and wise sellers should heed your warning here. If not, it's best to walk away in this market until the seller "gets it."
I am already dreading the Texas heat and the closed up hot as hades homes. It is hard to get the seller/agent to turn the utilities on for inspections and when the yard is knee high the home has no curb appeal. I recently called an agent after showing a property and suggested airing it out, the new carpert and paint smells closed up in 90 dregree heat was overwhelming, My nose and throat burned for an hour and a half after viewing the home. The agent acted like she had never heard if such a thing and hadn't a clue or I guess just didn't care.
Great points Bill...we will be seeing more and more of that I'm afraid!
My favorite....pools that are green and freezers with meat left in there by accident. Lovely smells!
Bill, why or why won't they listen :). One of my favorite poems too. L
Miss Cheri, you are soooooo right.
Miss Liz, that is the question that seems to permeate all real estate decisions. They hire you to represent them because they apparently think we can do a better job than they can do without us, and then they want to orchestrate how we do it.
Right on Bill! Houses not kept up are rarely shown and don't bring in good offers. When will Sellers get smart? I sold a house I recently remodeled in one day because of its condition. Top dollar too.
YEA RICKI...WAY TO GO!