Gloria since the house was not picked up when you went the first time, I can't see them keeping it that way.  Do you have the seller on a email feedback?  This was the only way I could convince one of our sellers to make sure their daughter was not in PJ's at showings.  I told them this was uncomfortable for the buyers, but not until they saw it in writing from another agent did they respond.  I have been using the free showingfeedback.com.  You have a choice to show the feedback or not.  Marcia and I also send our sellers a moving package, complete with boxes (has our contact info on them) packing supplies and tape.  Nice way to get them to start thinking about packing up without telling them they need to remove personal items.

Don't worry about bad feedback, unless it is totally off the wall.  It will help you in the long run to sell the house.

Jana

Gloria, there are some people who just don't get it. Those that think their home doesn't smell and those that think trash and clothes on the floor is how everyone lives.

There are videos you can give people like this to show them first hand. It seems they need a picture drawn.

If you keep getting feedback like this and it continues, I know you don't want to be rude, but honestly you will have to spell it out for them.

Gee I am sure glad I don't List only rarely

I could never imagine myself telling any homeowners their home is a mess etc

knowing that raising 4 children is no day at the beach and having a naughty dog, I can only image what that means careful were you step kinda thing to me.

I would rather have to tell the owner that they had a snake in the toilet, squirrels in the attic and  a beaver in the bathtub, before I could tell them that there home is a mess and to tell them to clean it up!

No way :) I will stick to  my new construction/developers at least when a home is under construction and a mess the buyers have a smile on there face.. "the New Home smile"

Good luck girls !!

Gloria you get to be the MAID of honor to tell them.

Vance

Oh one more thing Gloria I forgot.

Maybe the homeowner will see this posting on the net along with your photo and maybe get the massage and spiff up the home!

Ya never know.

Vancegram

Vancer- not to mention bats in the belfry! lol whatever that means!

"Ya know..bats in the belfry! lol whatever that means!"

Really what does that mean?

Hey what do you call a bunch of chickens standing around you?

Vancemess

You Got Maid ha ha

Still there is no way I can tell someone to clean up there home,

Now as most of you know I seem never to be lost for words..but I am speechless as to ho I would even approach it.

Can someone post a few lines as to what you might say it.

Vance

Oh the Chicken answer, as you know they call a bunch of birds a flock..

Well they call a bunch Chickens a Bucket..

I don't have a you tube video, but I do have some pics of a rental that would curl your hair.

Mrs. Seller, while I, personally, do so love your decorating style, not all potential Buyers will appreciate it.  Those finicky, pesky Buyers can be so demanding!  I recommend doing some laundry.

Ok Gloria:

It's all taken care of now..Messy House Update

There is even a video of progress in action..

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uSRB90R_pAc

Oh Gross!!!  Now that would be a tough one to list! ;-)

Hi Milie its me Mr Clean ha ha

Yea that would be a tuff one to list,how can somebody even post it on Youtube..

Anything going on out there? nothing from me yet, but it only takes one at a time..

Vance

Gloria:  Empathy with calm discussion of risk and reward usually wins the day with these situations:  I always shared buyer feedback with sellers, good, bad, and ugly, because it is THEIR WORDS and they are they buyers after all....

Here is how I might say it:

    "  I know you have 4 children and a dog, and that your life is busier than some.  I understand that it must be hard to keep a house in showroom condition under the circumstances.  I raised 5 children, and we had two dogs, AND A CAT....  So I really do understand.  

Just so we are clear, I do not personally hold any of this against you.  If we hear concerns from buyers on the point of order and neatness, then I guess we will just have to understand that some people might not buy the house if it is not up to their standards.  In our current market, it is painful to lose a buyer over something preventable.  I wonder if you know the extra effort might be worth $10,000 or more in price?  That's about what our studies show.  Did you know that?  Is this $10,000 important to you or would you rather not worry about that?  

Can you see a point in payoff when it might be worth the extra effort, maybe not only in dollars, but in how long it takes to sell?  I would be glad to give you some pointers if you want help on knowing what to do.  Just let me know."

How about this goodbye Christmas video Gloria

hold onto to your side now !!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SPgq_fxaW7U

Lonn said:

Just so we are clear, I do not personally hold any of this against you..

I say:

If someone said that to me---I would hold it against him or her because is sounds pompous!!!!

Hi Guys,

Have you seen Oprah today, she talked about this here topic of messy homes.  Part 2 tomorrow.

Gloria,

Turn the question around to them, you are in the process of buying a home, how would you like to preview messy homes?  Or I have this home to show you but its messy would you still like to see it?  Oow!!  If they look at it from that prospective maybe they will get the message and clean up!

""because is sounds pompous!!!!""

It is pompous  "look at the source"

Another tip. And I am not going to try and sell you any coaching tapes later.

When I list a home, I take the sellers around to all of the homes nearby and show them their competition. Allowing them to see what homes will be shown same time as theirs. They note, clean, the price, etc...Most are. Like some of you said above, asking what would they think of a home that was not clean, smelled bad, had folks running around in PJ's etc....how would they feel. It does intimidate sometimes, but gets them to reality. You can show on paper, but taking them to actual homes is so real. Seeing the pretty view, the nice tile, the decorations, etc.....Priceless.

During all my listing presentations I always tell my clients that "WE" are selling their home as a team and they are now going to join our team. Keeping the home show ready is a part of their daily activities as team members.

Of course, I am very blunt with them and I tell them straight out. Like it or not. "Mr. & Mrs. Seller, I understand that life can sometimes take over and things can get a little hectic. But we are receiving feedback on a regular basis that your home was very unkept during the showings. I want to help you get your home sold and this is not helping. I have a number to a great maid would you like me to have her give you a call to help you keep things in order?"

If they can't afford the maid then they usually find the time and put in the effort to get it done. If they don't I had them a "Status Change" with the "Withdraw" box checked and ask them to sign it. :)

But, Scott---don't you need all those listings so you can "last" in RE?

Well while you are explaining how to clean up that messy home should be rather easy, compared to trying to explain to these fine people to put up their pet.

What Say You?

It's always something in this business :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVcKkaaPlhw

Hey- I tried to list that home--only the seller couldn't sign his name!

I bet it was like having a 300 pound Gorilla on your back ha ha ha  to get it sign ha ha  yea hawwww

Vancekong

My new theme song! Think about that one for just  a second:)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4003xkcTJmI