Real estate agents: common mistakes (or "how to show/advertise a home") (for sale, renter)

[joey2000]

I'm only looking to rent right now but have experienced it when buying too - I know some agents "lurk" here so pls read and heed, and spread the word:

I cannot believe how often I will arrange to see a home and it's not in "ready to show" condition. That place should be spotless, but I've seen homes looked like they got a quick half-*** clean job at best...semi-clean fridges, ovens, floors etc - some couldn't even be bothered to wipe down the sink. And I'm talking vacated homes. Tip: if I'm grossed out, I'm probably going to pass even if I otherwise liked it.

Also regarding online ads, eg realtor.com: there should ALWAYS be pics not just of the front of the home but also views of or from the back yard AND sides, and the kitchen, LR/Den, and MBR (including main bath) at a minimum - I don't need 3 pics from 3 diff angles on a secondary BR. A pic of the street it's on would be highly appreciated as well, as I will see this at least twice a day every day going back and forth to work and not about to move next to (or across from) some trailer trash slug who can't be bothered to take care of their home or yard. I can't help but when I see 1 pic and "no additional photos" on an ad, or none at all. To each their own but to me "no additional photos" = "no additional interest." I figure it must be pretty bad if they're not willing to show it to you and my time is too valuable to waste on maybes.

[goingreene]

Some realtors don't post additional pics because they want a prospective buyer / renter to have to contact them to actually see the home. I myself prefer to see some pics so I know if I'm really interested, but I worked with several agents that refused to list the pics. This was when the market was "hot" so they may have changed their tune, but who knows. At any rate, sometimes the pics aren't there because of laziness.

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by goingreene

Some realtors don't post additional pics because they want a prospective buyer / renter to have to contact them to actually see the home. I myself prefer to see some pics so I know if I'm really interested, but I worked with several agents that refused to list the pics. This was when the market was "hot" so they may have changed their tune, but who knows. At any rate, sometimes the pics aren't there because of laziness.

In these time the realtor should not be in business if they can provide 21 century listing technology such as virtual tours of these Carolina homes

They might as well do a cartoon box it the same thing far as the way I see it.

[ss20ts]

Originally Posted by bill545

I'm only looking to rent right now but have experienced it when buying too - I know some agents "lurk" here so pls read and heed, and spread the word:

I cannot believe how often I will arrange to see a home and it's not in "ready to show" condition. That place should be spotless, but I've seen homes looked like they got a quick half-*** clean job at best...semi-clean fridges, ovens, floors etc - some couldn't even be bothered to wipe down the sink. And I'm talking vacated homes. Tip: if I'm grossed out, I'm probably going to pass even if I otherwise liked it.

Also regarding online ads, eg realtor.com: there should ALWAYS be pics not just of the front of the home but also views of or from the back yard AND sides, and the kitchen, LR/Den, and MBR (including main bath) at a minimum - I don't need 3 pics from 3 diff angles on a secondary BR. A pic of the street it's on would be highly appreciated as well, as I will see this at least twice a day every day going back and forth to work and not about to move next to (or across from) some trailer trash slug who can't be bothered to take care of their home or yard. I can't help but when I see 1 pic and "no additional photos" on an ad, or none at all. To each their own but to me "no additional photos" = "no additional interest." I figure it must be pretty bad if they're not willing to show it to you and my time is too valuable to waste on maybes.

Are you hanging out in my living room under the couch? I just went on a rampage about this last night! I see so many pics of homes that are DISGUSTING! I don't care if the house is worth $180K with all of sh*t all over it's only worth $130K MAYBE if I'm feeling generous. Who knows what bugs, critters, and other grossness you'll find when peeling back the carpets to replace them? If you want to sell, BUY A MOP AND SOME SOAP! CLEAN YOUR CRAPHOLE!

And for the realtors who can't be bothered to post some photos, go work at WalMart. You may be more useful there. I'm so sick of realtors saying oh I don't have any photos, but I can show you the property. Yeah right. Do I look like I just feel off the turnip truck? If you can't be bothered to take pics, then I can't be bothered to waste my time. Chances are it's a CRAPHOLE (see above) anyway.....

And what's with.....needs some work or needs TLC? Is that secret realtor code for burn it down and start over?

WOW you've got me all fired up! LOL

[joey2000]

lol - yeah the "handyman's delights" are usually a disaster, but hey that's why they're such a great price. Those who are more adept/into that kind of thing can get a good deal sometimes that way.

Originally Posted by goingreene

Some realtors don't post additional pics because they want a prospective buyer / renter to have to contact them to actually see the home. I myself prefer to see some pics so I know if I'm really interested, but I worked with several agents that refused to list the pics. This was when the market was "hot" so they may have changed their tune, but who knows. At any rate, sometimes the pics aren't there because of laziness.

I'm thinking stupidity, but OK. Could be a little of both. Apparently they flunked Sales 101 where you're taught people are far more likely to inquire or buy when they see a pic of the item up front. This is true of anything. Again, if you can't be bothered to put up a full set of pics, I figure you have something to hide and I'm not going to waste my time.

Originally Posted by SunnyKayak

In these time the realtor should not be in business if they can provide 21 century listing technology such as virtual tours of these Carolina homes

They might as well do a cartoon box it the same thing far as the way I see it.

Exactly! It's so easy to do nowdays with our "digitized world."

[anifani821]

I am confused. Are you talking about homes for sale? Are you saying you think the realtor should somehow have control over how nasty a person's home is when you come for a showing?

Are you kidding me?

You consider it a failing on the part of a realtor if a person who has a house for sale is a pig?

[ss20ts]

Originally Posted by anifani821

I am confused. Are you talking about homes for sale? Are you saying you think the realtor should somehow have control over how nasty a person's home is when you come for a showing?

Are you kidding me?

You consider it a failing on the part of a realtor if a person who has a house for sale is a pig?

I'm saying the slobs shouold clean their house if they are serious about selling. Clearly they're not if they can't find a Hefty and a broom. The realtors should also be telling these people they need to CLEAN. This is beyond decluttering also.

I've seen numerous listings where the realtor has taken photos with piles of things all over and some pics are zoomed in to see the mess! Some kitchens look like a landmine. Don't take pics of old take out containers that look like they've been there for a month.

And this isn't a NC issue. This is an issue all over. I've looked at listings in several different states online and some listings should say bring your bio suit for a showing. Don't forget your blow torch!

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by bill545

I cannot believe how often I will arrange to see a home and it's not in "ready to show" condition.

I don't see what this has to do with realtors. A home not ready to show is the fault of the home owner not the realtor. Even if a realtor coaches an owner on how to prepare a home for a showing it is ultimatley up to the owner to execute the instructions. The realtor has no control over what the home owner does really. The saying "You can lead a horse to water, but can't force him to drink" comes to mind.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by ss20ts

I'm saying the slobs shouold clean their house if they are serious about selling. Clearly they're not if they can't find a Hefty and a broom. The realtors should also be telling these people they need to CLEAN. This is beyond decluttering also.

I've seen numerous listings where the realtor has taken photos with piles of things all over and some pics are zoomed in to see the mess! Some kitchens look like a landmine. Don't take pics of old take out containers that look like they've been there for a month.

And this isn't a NC issue. This is an issue all over. I've looked at listings in several different states online and some listings should say bring your bio suit for a showing. Don't forget your blow torch!

What is the realtor to do about taking pictures when the home owners are pigs? Not take pictures. I believe statements were made earlier about how people expect pictures - and if the listing doesn't have pictures - that was ONE LAZY REALTOR, etc. etc, LOL.

So if the listing is a house that is occupied by utter slobs . . .you don't want to see pictures of the crap all over . . . but you want pictures of the house and interior. . . and if there are not pictures of the house's interior . . . the realtor is a cretin . . .

And if you go to see the house, you want it to be clean and if it isn't . . . the realtor isn't doing his/her job . . . ?????

Now I am truly confused.

[joey2000]

In many cases (for rentals), a home owner will in effect totally "turn over" their place to an agency whose responsibilities include hiring house cleaners and ensuring it is show-ready after the last people move out. No, I am not kidding you.

PS if the listing is a house occupied by utter slobs, I very much do want to see "pictures of the crap all over" so I can quickly scratch it off my list. And that's why if there are no pics, I assume as much and do so anyway. Again, there are too many possibilities out there and I assume there is something to hide - but I'd bet you a week's pay that that is hardly the case in each instance where few or no pics are provided. Sometimes the realtor is if not lazy, just not firing on all cylinders. Not everyone is good at their job yknow.

Really my main gripe w/agents was the pictures online thing. And I agree owners ultimately responsible for the condition of their home anyway.

Less confused now?