Here’s a great video by a real estate agent over in Virginia that lays out the plain and simple truth to home sellers in today’s market:
And if the video wasn’t entertaining enough for you, check out some of the reaction among other blogging real estate agents around the country. Most of the agents in the various blog comment exchanges reacted positively to the video, but there were some exceptions…
Phoenix agent Greg Swann calls the video “pandering and condescending, insulting to consumers.” Really Greg? I would consider it pandering to tell a customer: “Oh, this home is so fabulous! I’m sure you’ll get top dollar. Don’t worry about declining prices in the comps, this house is special.” This video seems to me to be exactly the opposite of pandering.
Former Mortgage Broker Todd Carpenter says “I think the video is terrible” and calls it “selfish advice.” I can somewhat see the selfish point, since as an agent volume is more important than price. But “terrible”? Really?
Chicago Realtor Ken Smith declares that “this video alone would guarantee I would never use your services if shown to me.”
I find it quite amusing that such a simple concept can be so appalling to some people “in the business.” As an industry outsider and some-day home buyer, I find straightforward, honest content like this to be refreshing. If I was considering using an agent to sell a home and was shown this video, I would think “how nice that they are willing to be honest with me,” not “I love it when salespeople treat me like a moron.,” which is what Mr. Swann thinks “consumers” would say.
Hat tip: Dustin Luther‘s (of RCG fame) shared Google Reader feed.