Straight Talk Realtor Sterling Heights: What is a straight talk realtor? The definition of straight talk is to simply tell the truth. A straight talk realtor is one who presents the facts according to current market conditions. He works with the highest integrity, using no gimmicks to attract business. He doesn’t make promises that are “too good to be true.”
Realtor Gimmicks
If I cannot sell your home for what you are asking within 90 days, I’ll buy it myself!
Seriously, does the realtor who says this really intend to purchase the home? The above statement could lead the (very inexperienced) home seller into believing the realtor is going to buy his home for what he is asking if it doesn’t sell within 90 days.
What the realtor is really promising is to present the seller with an investor offer, which is one that is significantly lower than the market value, so he can resell your home for his own profit. Hmmm…can you say Code of Ethics?
Here is another common realtor gimmick: Home seller is looking to sell a home for $250,000. He is smart enough to know that there are things he doesn’t know; therefore, he doesn’t agree to list his home with the first realtor he talks to.
Realtor #1 knows the home will not sell for more than $220,000 in today’s market, but he agrees to list the home at $250,000 to get the customer and the listing. His plan is to wait 2-3 weeks and then inform the seller that the reason they are not getting offers is because the home is over priced. He says if we reduce the price to $240,000, we’re sure to get some attention. This goes on until they finally list the home at a reasonable price. Imagine how much time is wasted on this crazy technique! It certainly doesn’t make the listing realtor look too good either.
Straight Talk Realtor will not waste a client’s time. Very few average homeowners really know the market value of their home. They base their asking price on emotions and time and money invested into the home. The straight talk realtor will do a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) to determine the true market value. This means comparing the subject property to others within a ½ mile radius that sold within the last 6 months. The CMA will consider all important information including size, style, age, condition and other criteria about the home for sale. He will present the facts to his client and tell them upfront what the true market value of their home is so to they can make an informed and educated decision on how much to list their home for.
The client’s interest comes first; however, a realtor should not mislead the client just to get the listing. Over-promising now is the beginning of a journey that leads to wasting time and money for the realtor and the client. Eventually, the client will become very upset, cancel the listing, and spread the word about the realtor you cannot trust.
Honesty is the best policy and the truth will set you free of all this grief. A straight talk realtor always tells the truth, from beginning to end. From the time the client agrees to give him the listing all the way to closing, he can trust the straight talk realtor to tell him the facts and inform him of what to expect next.
There are realtors who will make big promises, guarantee to sell your home for a high price, or find you a home to buy at a low price.
A straight talk realtor presents all the facts, including how he is compensated for selling the home. A realtor cannot legally be paid without the seller knowing it. The listing agreement will be complete, with all blanks filled in. Never sign documents with missing data. Never work with a realtor who says, “Just sign here, I’ll fill it in later and send you a coy.” And most importantly, if the realtor says anything that sounds too good to be true, then it typically is!
