Tug of War. That is what I saw the other day as I was home sick from work. Anyone who knows me at all knows I am a high energy girl. Always have been. Hope I always am. Last week I came home not feeling well.
The next day I was pretty much shot. So I stayed home and did just what I needed to do via my iphone...while I tried to rest.
Let me reiterate...I am NOT a good sick person. I just CAN'T stand to lay in bed. So I got up and flipped aimlessly through the channels. Where did I stop...HGTV of course!
I watched a program about First Time Buyers back to back with First Time Home Sellers. What really jumped out at me was the unwillingness of both parties to set reasonable goals or objectives.
The First Time Home Buyers were insistent that the Seller fix everything mentioned in the Inspection Report. Now, if you have read any inspection reports, you know that they are extremely detailed and cover everything from major problems to minor problems. The objective of the inspection is for an unbiased professionally licensed inspector to examine the property and provide a detailed report for his client, in this case the buyer, so they can make an informed decision about the property. Large issues certainly need to be addressed...but the sale of a home hinging on caulk around the bathtub needing to be replaced, or gutters needing to be cleaned is pretty silly.
Then the next program was about First Time Home Sellers. These sellers were strongly advised that their home was worth 230K. An exact same floor plan had recently been sold down the street. You guessed it...they wanted it listed at 250K with absolutely no willingness to budge. In fact, after weeks of no showings they suggested maybe they were ready to drop their price 1K. Needless to say, the house didn't sell. And even IF, and that is a big if, in the unrealistic realm of TV that the house did get some buyer who was willing to pay 20K above what it is worth, do you really think an appraiser would agree...highly unlikely!
So putting these back to back, it caused me to think.....buyers who want everything....seller's who don't want to budge. Tug of War. And the sad part is that most likely no one will win.
As Realtors® our job is to find middle ground. Successful negotiation is not a science, but an art! We work to find Middle ground on which is acceptable to Both parties. A Realistic Willingness is what I would call it.
For my business, I have chosen not to represent both the buyer and the seller on the same transaction. It is a choice I made when I first started in the business, and one I have held to. And it is a decision that has served me well. I know there are varying opinions on this issue, especially from Agents. But is a personal choice I have made for myself and my clients. And my clients have let me know they appreciate that.
And I have to say that I count myself Very Fortunate. I have worked with a fantastic bunch of buyers and sellers! Buyers who WANT to buy a home...and sellers who WANT to sell their home. And when that middle ground comes together...a deal that is workable for both parties....it is a great JOY. I don't know of an agent who doesn't enjoy helping a Seller move on to new chapter in their life...and buyers who are making the house they just purchased into their Home. I know I do!
|
If you have any questions about Pullman or the Pullman Real Estate Market I am here to help! Feel free to use my my free Pullman WA MLS search...and you are welcome to sign up for automatic market notifications too!
Click Here For Pullman Properties ~
|
|
|
About the Author: The above piece was provided as a community service by Lori Cofer, a local Pullman WA Real Estate Agent. Lori can be reached via email at loricofer@yahoo.com or by phone at 509-330-0086. Lori is happy to assist you in all your Pullman real estate and Moscow Idaho Real Estate needs. Lori is "Your Pullman WA Real Estate Connection
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
~ Hope you are feeling better Lori! It is no fun feeling punk!
I have an HGTV addiction, but mostly just for the real estate shows! I find some of them hilarious.
Or I call it, Voice of Reason!!!!
I've been fortunate to have met mostly reasonable sellers and buyers this year. Last year was a different kettle of fish however. Hope you're feeling better today, Lori.
I'm not much of a TV person, but when I do turn it on, its the news -OR- I love HGTV! We must all be crazy. I can't believe I watch REAL ESTATE shows after work! LOL
Our job is to educate our clients and I stopped watching shows like that because I got so frustrated with agents just being "YES" men and women and letting the buyers and sellers act like the professionals and the agents were acting like paper pushers rather than educating them on the reality of what was happening and should be done to get things sold.
Patty ~ I am much better thank you...and back at work...which is great...now if only my nose would stop running....:)
Penny ~ They sure aren't close to reality for sure!
Loreena ~ I like that!
Glenn ~ Glad you are having a great year...I too count myself very fortunate!
Joni ~ I know....it is kind of hilarious really!
Todd ~ A huge part of what we do is to educate for sure! And the TV shows sometimes do make it hard...they are so far from reality....,
It is the age old battle of Buyer vs Seller. Goes back to the Romans and the gladiators vs. the lions. Things never change.
A great post Lori!
Lori,
Whenever I see one of these shows, or hear of one of these non budging deals, I always go back to the agents. It's our job to educate, inform,and explain.
Jane ~ What an interesting comparison....hmm....
Joshua ~ Thank you so much!
Scott ~ So true...it is very hard for the buyers and sellers...after all they have not walked countless houses as we have....and watched the market daily with both the first hand experience as well as the data in mind...not to mention been through as many transactions. We have a lot of information with which to help for sure!