seller welcomes realtor opinions

[Bobbaloo]

We listed our 30+ yrs. old home almost 6 mos. ago. Our agent had only been in real estate less than 2 yrs. The agency is large and nationwide. Market is nearly dead here, but has recently picked up. We've had several showings. Kitchen, bathrooms have all been remodeled. Our agent is leaving the business and we need to decide whether to re-sign with them or go with another agency. We are considering changing for the following reasons:
1. Agent has had very little positive to say about house, even though most people seeing it were complimentary.
2. Agency doesn't let us know which realtor is coming and person showing house doesn't leave card. This is supposedly what local Board of Realtors decided.
3. Agency sets up appointment and if people show up an hour early, we're supposed to understand.
I thought the realtor was working for the seller. Has this changed?

[AugustaREGroup]

Where are you located? There are several qualified realtors in this community that would be happy to give you more market specific advise.

In general though, it seems that you are not 100% happy with your service, and if you do have this opportunity to choose another company... then why not?

Many realtors on here understand their clients requests and can work to make sure you are happy.

Best of luck with the sale of your home!

[Bobbaloo]

Where are you located? There are several qualified realtors in this community that would be happy to give you more market specific advise.

In general though, it seems that you are not 100% happy with your service, and if you do have this opportunity to choose another company... then why not?

Many realtors on here understand their clients requests and can work to make sure you are happy.

Best of luck with the sale of your home!

We live in a major city in East Tennessee. All are in agreement that our asking price is fair. Of 400 homes in the neighborhood, there are 26 for sale. Our price is $399,000. A couple are a little lower, most higher. Some even close to a million. Most are around 30 yrs. old. We have a nice golf course and big shopping center near. Schools are some of best. We have huge trees and a yard that people slow down to look at. We've spent over $100,000 on improvements and refuse to spend any more. We've been more than cooperative with realtors and don't understand their attitude. We want to use a realtor, especially in today's market.

[AugustaREGroup]

There are tough situations all over. Looks like you have spent plenty of money on improvements (33 percent).

Honestly today's buyer is looking for a bargain. There is so many homes on the market that is is tough to compete.

I would interview some realtors in the area, and find one that you are comfortable with. I do not know any Realtors in Tennessee personally, but the only thing I can tell you is be as pro-active as you can in marketing your home.

Your realtor does not have relationships with the people in your workplace, kid's school, church, etc.. Also try posting your home on craigslist, and other free sites. All you need is one buyer.. You never know where that person will come from.

Make sure your realtor has a good web presence as well!

[jessiesc]

I would agree with "Columbia", interview agents and select one with whom you feel comfortable.

It's a tough market in many areas around the country and IMO each property has to stand out in some way to sell or be the lowest priced based on like kind.

If you need assistance finding a real estate agent in your area, I have worked with a few in Tenn (it's a big state so not sure where in Tenn you are) and they would be pleased to work "For you!".

That's the key... However in many states, agents work for the "transaction". It gets a bit hazy from a consumers perspective, but when all is said and done, the agent should be doing as much as possible to sell the listed house for the seller.

Best of luck with your sale.

[Madtown RM]

If you're getting showings and condition has been ruled out as a potential problem (you've spent a lot on upgrades and done quite a lot of remodeling, it sounds like), then it's likely you are still over-priced. In this market you have to be a good measure cheaper than your competition AND be in the best condition. This is how I have priced all my listings for the past two years and everything has sold over the asking price because of the competition generated by that pricing strategy. As for the agent not having many positive things to say about house, that is a little baffling. If one is giving negative feedback then one should also be suggesting solutions to address the problems perceived. Attitude is everything when listing a property. We know it is not easy being a seller in this market. As for the agency not letting you know which Realtor is coming and the showing agents not leaving a card, here are my thoughts. Double-check that you're not entitled to some information (at least the agency name) for whoever is showing the property (I'm pretty sure you can get the agency name and the Realtor's name but possibly only the former and not the latter). Also check that your showing instructions include the words, "Leave Card". Most agents will honor this request (along with other instructions such as to turn off lights, close doors that were closed, etc.). This is basic stuff so perhaps a communications glitch happened somewhere along the way. If showing agents turn up an hour early without the showing line calling you first for permission, you can choose to understand or turn them down (it happens, especially when clients decide not to see one or two properties and you get way ahead of schedule). This is easily combatable by overlapping showings but that's not your problem since you're not setting up the showings, the showing agent is. In this market, however, I would advise you to gulp and be gracious. It's a buyer's market and sometimes it's hard for buyers to accept when sellers put constraints on them, even when it's unfair to the seller. Bottom line: communicate clearly with whomever you choose to work with and tell them exactly what you want. Your Realtor should represent you and has a fiduciary duty to carry out your wishes. Good luck selling your home.

[Norcal Jim]

I do not know your market. But I do know that if you are getting plenty of showings and no offers you are most likely overpriced. Has your agent talked to you about adjusting the price?

Price overcomes all objections.

[gregharaksin]

The lockboxes we use here let us know who entered the property and when. The buyer's agent usually makes appointments directly with the seller. I don't know how they work in TN.

For my sellers that do not want lockboxes, i make the appointments and keep a list of agent and showing times. I definitely tell the seller that Jerry from ABC company wants to see the home around 2:30.

When I represent the buyer, I always let sellers know if we are going to be early, late, or won't show at all. I like to say something like "I would like to show your home between 1:00 and 2:00". Many times our clients are late. And we have no control over them wanting to spend 30 seconds at one home and 30 minutes at another.

Buyers looking at your home are not going to tell you that they don't like it.

It seems as if this agency has left a bad taste in your mouth. If you interview agents, ask them to bring their sales records. Make sure they are internet savvy.

And when buyers are looking at your home, make sure that you take a walk around the block and are not at home - They do not want a tour, and they do not want to know what you spent on upgrades. They want to open closets and kitchen drawers, and may not do so if you are present. If you are hovering over them, they will leave.

[AZAgent2]

It sounds like you're a little high on the price but your home "looks" good enough through pictures for people to still want to take a look. I would recommend getting a strong listing agent. (One who primarily only handles listings and sellers) Figure out what their sales record is, how close they get to the “listed price” (listed vs. sold price) on average, and what they have done to personally get homes sold. Then do what they recommend if you want to sell your home.

You sound like your being very reasonable and working hard at allowing your home to sell so that seems good you more then likely just need someone skilled enough to just get your home the "push" it requires (all homes require this these days) to get it sold in a very tough market.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[Bobbaloo]

I appreciate all the suggestions I've gotten. Absolutely no one who has seen the house thinks it's overpriced. All say it's priced "just right." We have to make a decision soon as our 6 month contract with agent runs out the end of Jan. We're asking for a record of how many times they've shown our house because I don't think they've shown it at all, only other realtors. We are never home when people look nor would we ever want to be. I had several questions for the broker (whom we've never met or spoken to) when she called me a couple of days ago and she acted like she couldn't get off the phone fast enough. We interviewed another broker (she actually came out in person) who is connected with a different nationwide realty company. This was before we signed with anyone else. We think we may list with her. There are only 2 other salespeople in her office. Her website advertising is very impressive and she's been in real estate for over 20 years.