Let the sun shine in.
[SPONSORED]
The personal stories of one realtor’s battles and triumphs in the highly-competitive Bay Area real estate market, seeking to illuminate and humanize the very real ups-and-downs of homeownership.
“Is there glass under the paint,” I said to the Seller, pointing to her front door. “Would you mind if we strip the panes to let in more light?”
“What about privacy?” she asked; “We’re on a fairly busy street.”
“That’s true,” I said, “but the way you live in a home, and the way we present a house for sale are entirely different animals.”
What I didn’t say is that when it comes to selling a home, privacy is the LAST thing Realtors® want. Instead, we’re seeking exposure, presence, urgency, and persuasion. Which is why selling covertly is almost never a good idea (almost).
Moreover, 99% of the houses we represent have been vacated, so lack of “privacy” isn’t a real concern. In other words, we don’t mind if curiosity compels people to peak through the front door — we’re open for business.
Light, bright, and aspirational
What’s more, it’s important to understand that a staged home has entirely different goals and objectives than your personal residence. As Homeowners, our homes (for better or for worse) reflect our tastes, our lifestyle, and our choices. Realtors®, on the other hand, are trying to appeal to the largest pool of Buyers. Often this means negating personal preferences in favor of light, bright, aspirational interiors. (It’s tough for people to envision their lives in a home when wedding photos are hanging on the walls.) At the risk of leaning on a cliche: “it isn’t personal; it’s business.”
“Okay,” she said, “you’re the professionals; do what you think is best.” (Thank you; that’s music to my ears.)
Unfortunately, this Seller’s quick turnaround is the exception rather than the rule. That’s because Sellers tend to personalize the sale of their homes, which can make for a difficult journey. Whether out of pride, ignorance, or ego, the truth is that none of these responses work in your favor when it comes time to sell. Frankly, it’s WHY people hire Realtors®. Good Agents bring levity, perspective, and experience, not to mention arms-length negotiations to the transaction.
However much you love your house, Realtors understand that selling is a business proposition first, and foremost. For Sellers, home sales tend to be layered with excessive baggage, and anxiety, which is why selling a property — especially a beloved one — is a complicated affair, often accompanied with OUTSIZED expectations. Of course it’s going to feel disruptive. At its core, selling a home IS disruptive, IS stressful, and CAN be incredibly difficult. (Deep breaths. This is where we carry the load.)
We understand you’re anxious (we do), but we’d be of no value if we were sidetracked (or hijacked) by our “feelings.” Realtors® aren’t (or shouldn’t be) emotionally invested in the process. Our job is to sell your property for the highest price with the strongest terms. So while you focus on packing, purging, and moving, let us concentrate on the transformation, presentation, and marketing of your beautiful home.
Even if our game plan doesn’t necessarily align with your personal aesthetics or natural pace, we promise there’s a strategy at work. Please keep in mind that while Homeowners tend to be hyper focused on how much attention, or perceived lack of attention, their property receives, we’re often juggling several properties in different stages simultaneously. Consequently, we tend to move quickly once you hand over the keys. With hundreds of successful sales under our belts, we know what appeals — and more importantly, what doesn’t. So bear with us; we understand that our methods may be met with mixed emotions, but we have very little time to accomplish a long list of tasks designed to meet your goals and objectives.
Take my word for it, the journey is far easier if you can trust the process, avoid micromanaging, and let go of the outcome. Irrespective of the work we do together, the market, is the market, is the market. At some point, the results are no longer up to us, but to a willing and qualified Buyer. If we’ve done our jobs well, the goal is to attract as many Buyers as possible. Wouldn’t you agree?
Knock, knock.
Come in, the door’s open.
How can we help you?
Julie Gardner & Sarah Abel | Compass Realty
Not just Realtors, but consultants in all things house and home, we’re here to educate, explore, examine and refer . . . In short, you may count on us to take care of your home as if it were our own and anyone who knows us, knows we take pretty darn good care of our homes.
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