SethMathers.com

During the space of six weeks, I was traveling more than I ever had before. Canada, Lake Tahoe, Hawaii, and Arizona were my stops. It was really busy and there was a lot of fun, memories were made, relationships were rekindled, and some were made. While I was in Arizona recently for my brother’s medical school graduation we got on the topic of real estate and some of the things I was doing in my business. As you can imagine being in business for yourself there are ups and downs. Feast and famine. Sometimes it feels like a water hose other times there is hardly a trickle. One of the major benefits I told him is how I can choose the way I do business.

How I have chosen to do business has been very fluid. I am always learning and implementing what I learn for the benefit of my clients.

Previously, I would go visit the seller and have them walk me through their house. Give them some advice on staging their home. Pull out a color bound listing presentation showing them about all the bells and whistles of Coldwell Banker’s marketing. Pull out my computer and run some comparable properties and give the price of what I think their house could be sold for. Sign the paperwork and schedule a time for photos, with a yard sign and a lockbox to shortly follow.

There were a few other things but that was the bulk of what I did to help. To be honest what I was doing wasn’t a whole lot different than what other real estate agents in my market were doing.

So it shouldn’t have come as a surprise when friends and acquaintances used someone to help that that *gasp* WASN’T ME to help with their real estate needs.

I was gutted actually, one more than one occasion.

David Price, a current major league baseball pitcher has said in the past “If you don’t like the result, pitch (or play) better.” Or something to that effect.

So over the years how I go about helping someone list their house has changed. I’m learning how to play the game of real estate better. It is isn’t complete and it will continue to change but these are the steps that I use. This is my rough game plan. I won’t go into details because it wouldn’t make for thrilling bathroom reading so I’ll give you the highlights.

I sit down with my seller and find out what their goals are when it comes to selling their home. I want to see if I would even be a good fit for what they want to do. Then from there make the proper steps to help ensure that the transactions go as smoothly as possible. Do surprises happen? All the time. But what happens in the preparation stages can help lessen those surprises.

What I currently offer to help with the preparation are:

A pre-listing home inspection.
A staging consultation.
Professional photography.
Seller and buyer home warranty coverage.
Showings scheduled by a showing service.
Occasionally cleaning services.
A property story written about the home.
A single property website.

I share this to let people know that I am raising the bar with how I do business. I’m no dummy, I know homeowners do a majority of the work getting the house ready. I know because I’ve done it. The services I offer my clients are a result of my experience selling my own house and because I’ve seen what happens when a house isn’t properly prepared.

I know that help from cleaners for a few hours can make all the difference.

I know that if you can make someone fall in love with a house with words and pictures they’ll make a good offer.

I know that if you catch major issues before a buyer does it can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

I know that if I believe in my clients and give them my support they’ll appreciate it.

As of today what I offer my clients costs me close to $1,500 out of pocket.

When I told my brother this his response was “You need to stop doing that or you won’t make any money.”

I have truly been blessed to work with some amazing people who have put a lot of trust in me and it helps my clients prepare their home. It is an expense I will gladly pay.