The Listing That Got Away

People gathered and I felt responsible to entertain. "A story", I promised, "The Listing That Got Away."

Three days after 29th Place closed/sold, I received a call from a nearby resident who wished to interview me for the purposes of possible representation (dude wanted to sell his house). This homeowner had followed recent sales in the area, noted the preponderance of City Living Realty deals, and some of the higher sales figures attached.




We set a time to meet, and I began to pull materials together, including a permit/public records search on his home.

The owner had done a lot of substantial systems work, it's true: a new foundation, driveway, and garage. The house had been re-wired and re-plumbed. The kitchen had been remodeled, acceptably, with granite countertops that might appeal to some, and a slender island.

He figured his house should command top dollar. I saw it a little differently. "It should certainly be priced at the higher end", I opined, "you've done wonderful work, and there's a lot of positives. There aren't though--and this isn't a knock on you or your house--truly special architectural or finished detail features. Twenty-ninth place", I continued, "had an unique decorative fireplace, a bevy of stained glass, and an unusually deep wrap-around porch. Thirty-first street", I offered, describing a City Living sale of earlier this year, "featured a handful of period light fixtures, a uncommonly decorative dining room buffet, and a rich succession of moldings."




It was all about price, I could tell.


"Any agent can shoot off their big mouth", I offered, "promise the moon, and then badger you into a series of price reductions later while your property wilts on the market. I'd rather, whilst remaining ambitious, consider a price that's deliverable and is supported by recent market performance and context."

It was all about price, I could tell.

"I'd also rather discuss how I'm going to market the property, and the different set of services I provide."

It was all about--ah forget it. I didn't get the listing. It's with some "out of area" tool, offering a miserly commission, at an astronomical price. It's better really, 'cause I'm still idealistic enough to think all my listings should offer either strong features or relative value.