There are things that I find hilarious as I wander through the listings...
I'm working on a market whiff... kind of a pre-CMA to see if the property will be priced in the ball park... and I am looking through a bunch of listings. And I keep thinking that in some cases there are too many agents that went to the same school... and a few that just skipped all school.
- Too many options to list.
Ya' think? I bet that almost EVERY house on the market has too many options to list in the limited space we have... So, hit some highlights!
- Winter (dormant grass) pics.
I just looked at the calendar, and it is June. I just looked at my unwatered front yard, and it is green... has been for a few months. Take some new pictures! It really won't hurt you.
- Hard surface countertops?
Ok, I know that she meant to say solid surface countertops... but this makes it sound like foam was an option. That would be kind of fun... foam counters.
- EVERYTHING IS ALL CAPS!
Why? I had to constantly ask to have my listings input NOT in all caps. Only a small percentage of listings aren't all capped. And "tradition" isn't an excuse.
Keep in mind...
Despite the power of other outlets, the MLS is our most powerful marketing tool. Most buyers, whether they find the property through an agent or some other source, get to see an MLS listing first. IDX, listing syndication... those base off of the MLS listing. Make it count.
Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey.
I'd love to hear from you...
It seems that many do not take the time to see it from the consumer's perspective, or to check the accuracy of listing details and spelling. Photos put online are another subject!
Jim Gilbert, Heart of Austin Homes
I like the foam countertop option! Ha ha, I agree and it is also painful if you see listings that have not had details updated along with the photos...IE: date that something is available..if it was entered when someone was living there and have since then moved but the first contact information is the homeowner or tenant and you are calling either a number that is no longer in service or a cell phone to which the person does not answer and no longer even lives in the same state...Small details are important too..as I have not shown a home that was vacant because it said there were dogs and to call the owner first before showing and the agent did call me back but at that point my client found something else they liked and wrote a contract on it..
NO!
I love when they have a Christmas tree in a photo for a listing they took last week, at the end of June!
I'm parking here - I can't wait to read all the creative answers to "what was that agent thinking!"
Jim - I am always amazed at the misspellings and typos I run across. And junky pictures, too...
Ginger - Lots of agents and sellers shoot themselves in the foot with these things.
Lenn - And sometimes their assistants, too.
Debbie - I had a seller that wanted me to use her pictures for the listing... snow in August in Atlanta is NOT common.
1- Out-of-season pictures (snow, trees with no leaves, etc.)
2- OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY xx, 2008 and it's June! Who are they kidding... ;-)
3- Delayed showing - no showings until March xx, 2008 - and it's June...1
4- Just the other day, now that our MLS requires a picture of the listed property, I saw a picture on a listing (just tried to find it, but no success) that was taken from inside the agent's car - dashboard and all took up 2/3 or so of the picture with a small image of the house somewhere in the middle.
Not sure how any of the above (and the dozens of other examples) can be thought of as "representing a clients' best interests"....
Lane, just being in the profession about a year, I wonder what sellers would use a Realtor such as is described in your blog and the comments. What are they thinking?
Think? Man, you're asking a lot there Lane. They got the listing, the sign is up, it's even in the MLS... and now you want 'em to think? Asking for the moon aren't ya?
Phil - I love the "no showings until 3 months ago". Hello? Update much?
Russ - Consumers may not know better... and may not check up on their agent's efforts.
Jesse - You know it! I want it all.