Interesting Blog Post

[RESteve]

I ran across a blog post over at:

blog.bytheowner.com/2007/05/23/how-to-sell-your-home-privately/

I particuraly paid attention to the testimonials they gave about not ever using a real estate agent again. I don't know what part of the country these folks deal in, but in Houston, real estate agents are petrified to approach FSBO's and at that, don't have the guts to say to a person, "You can't do it without me.".

At least this has been my perspective. When I speak with For Sale By Owners, my goal is to help them sell their home themselves. That is a definite "win" for them. I "win" by being in their mind if they ever meet anyone that doesn't was to tackle the task of selling their home without representation.

At first glance, I wanted to post a comment on this blog and start a debate. Would this be a good/bad thing to do, and if "good", anyone care to join me?

Note: Take mention I said DEBATE. No thrashing the company. I want to get their perspective vs. an agents perspective and have healthy blogversation with them.

[avonreal]

most people don't even bother trying to sell their own home cause they think its hard work and too complicated, i guess knowledge is everything.

[Homesurfer]

When I speak with For Sale By Owners, my goal is to help them sell their home themselves. That is a definite "win" for them. I "win" by being in their mind if they ever meet anyone that doesn't was to tackle the task of selling their home without representation.

That is the absolute best strategy for working to win FSBO's over.

[Morristown]

As long as it is done in a light hearted helpful way, with out name calling, or responding to negativity with negativity I think there is nothing wrong with doing that Steve, and in fact think it is a positive thing to do.

Jim

[Morristown]

Just wanted to FYI you, looks like they are using NO-Follow tages on that blog. So don't bother posting just to get links.

[Malok]

With a seller's market - being a FSBO is do-able (albeit still somewhat risky if you don't do your homework - non-disclosures on the condition of the home is a frequent lawsuit-waiting-to-happen issue in our area for FSBOs).

With a buyer's market like it is right now in most areas of the country - FSBOs generally suck wind. Even if the FSBOs get it put on the MLS, the "throw it on the MLS and wait for the phone to ring" marketing strategy isn't working in my area.

I don't even solicit FSBOs, and have had several call me for my services because they see me getting stuff sold right next to them - while they just sit and wait.

[JimOlenbush]

I called on a FSBO recently just to see how much they were asking, and it was a real eye opener to hear how poorly a seller can represent themselves. It was a very short, awkward phone call and I didn't get to identify myself as a Realtor. I was just getting the info so I would know if my buyer asked about it, and I wasn't selling my services.

Hello,
Yes, I'm calling about your house for sale.
Yes.
Well is it still available?
Yes.
Oh, OK, so how much are you asking?
485k.
I see, how big is it?
4100 s.f.
pause...

Well OK, I will let you know if we have any other questions.
And then they hung up with no goodbye!!

It is an OK price for that area, but with that "salesperson" as the only point of contact for an interested buyer they won't be selling anytime soon. She sounded truly annoyed and "put out" to answer a call about the house. Some people really need an agent!

[Lydia]

While checking homes for a buyer tour, I passed a FSBO sign in the yard of a house in a gated community the other day. I couldn't wait to get home to check if it was on MLS...nope.

I still can't wrap my head around that one. Who's going to see the sign?

Takes all kinds, I guess.

[svrpaul]

I called on a FSBO recently just to see how much they were asking, and it was a real eye opener to hear how poorly a seller can represent themselves. It was a very short, awkward phone call and I didn't get to identify myself as a Realtor. I was just getting the info so I would know if my buyer asked about it, and I wasn't selling my services.

Jim,

You just hit the nail right on the head. You can give a FSBO everything they need but if they don't have the personality and don't like talking to people they don't know, they are doomed at getting the best price in the shortest amount of time from the get go.

[Morristown]

I have not direct contacted any FSBO's for a little while, I went though a period back in April and May where I was contacting them, but now it seems like they are all the same FSBO's many of which I followed up with 3 or 4 times, then when I was frustrated enough I put them on a mail drip campaign that goes out each week. I guess I should stop by and talk to some of them again. I is difficult to get motivated to do it again with this group of people as many of them were just so rude. I could name at least 3 of them that even if I had a buyer who's wants directly matched these peoples house I would still be very hesitant to bring that buyer to see it.