Lake County, IL real estate blog : Yet another example of how a seller (or a relative) present at the showing can ruin the deal-to-be

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Yet another example of how a seller (or a relative) present at the showing can ruin the deal-to-be

By: Mipeco Realty, Inc - Michaela Krestenic, Broker-Owner
Sunday, September 23, 2007 2:11 PM

I came across a great example of why sellers and their relatives and friends should not be present during showings of their properties. I showed a home yesterday that seemed to be just PERFECT for my client. We spent about 40 minutes at the property (compared to our usual 5 minutes when he's not interested) and because we weren't quite sure as to the property lines, I asked the person inside (I believe it was a relative of the seller) where the boundaries were ... that's all I asked ... I try to avoid any conversation with the sellers when I'm representing the buyer other than "Hi" & "Bye" sort of talk. And while she did give me the answer, she went on and "volunteered" information regarding a neighboring lot and it's planned future use that for my client was a major deal-breaker! For myself and my client, I'm happy we found out ... but it sure was a great disservice to the seller. ... I kind of wonder that perhaps she doesn't want for the home to sell? As to me and my client, I guess we'll forget about this one and have to move on to something more suitable.

So, here's a reminder for all the listing agents out there ... get the sellers out for the showings!!!

Comments

Member Since '06	Rick Belben said: I understand the point you are making about the sellers not being there but in this case with the disclosure that was made they may have saved you a lot of grief and heartache. Better you find out about that vacant lot now rather that after you have written a contract, negotiated a deal and it falls apart. September 23, 2007 2:31 PM
Member Since '07	Candice A Donofrio said: Yep. BUT 'planned future use' is a VERY nebulous term. And is the 'messenger' a reliable source? I would have suggested a double check on that 'info' before letting the buyer throw up hands and bail. IF zoning or use changes for the neighboring lot is a 'for sure' thing, it probably should be disclosed with the listing information (private remarks to agents) And having said all that, it still sucks when sellers and especially their possibly informed, probably uninformed kin get their noses into the business of the buyer and his/her agent. Hugely counterproductive. September 23, 2007 3:06 PM
Member Since '07	Anna Horton said: I've heard all the bad stories from many "more experienced" agents than I, but whenever it's happened to me - it's been a positive experience for everyone involved. You can't control all the "coulda, woulda, shoulda's" in real estate or life. Just start squeezing the lemons and hope for some sugar. Better - contact the owner of that lot next door and see if your picky client could buy it, too! September 23, 2007 4:45 PM
Member Since '03	Mipeco Realty, Inc - Michaela Krestenic, Broker-Owner said: Rick, that's exactly it, I'm glad we found out before it would be too late. Candice, the first thing I did after I got back yesterday is looked at the tax records to see who the current owner is and sure thing ... the info we got was correct. There may be nothing happening for years, but if there will be, it would make my client very unhappy and the value of his home lower. I don't believe it's anything the listing agent or the seller needs to disclose but it's something that my client wouldn't want to live with. September 23, 2007 4:46 PM
Member Since '03	Mipeco Realty, Inc - Michaela Krestenic, Broker-Owner said: Anna, contacting the owner of the lots in question is exactly what I have planned for Monday. The buyer is far from being picky ... all he wants is privacy and this home would lose a lot of the private setting if the info we got turns out to be truth. Honestly, I loved the place just as much as my client did but I too did a complete "180" when I heard the "by-the-way info". We'll see how it all works out tomorrow. Maybe there's still some hope? September 23, 2007 4:53 PM
Member Since '04	Vicki Owens, ABR, CRS, GRI said: This summer I had one where the listing agent's seller was there for the INSPECTION! Talk about a disaster. The seller completely blew his deal and sent my clients away screaming when he disclosed a problem that was not on his disclosure. (oh yeah, I'm gonna fix that - offering the inspectors a cool drink shaking their hands when they came in) And then the issues were just more and more. Talk about an uncomfortable place. And the listing brokerage did not even bother to inform us that the seller would be there-so it was a big surprise. The buyer's wife left about 5 mins into because she could not stand the tension. We are still waiting on another to come on the market that appeals to them, been looking for nearly a year. Sigh Patience is a virtue. . . September 23, 2007 6:19 PM
Member Since '03	Gregory Bain said: Michaela, I have a buyer who is buying a home I wouldn't buy at half the price. The owners were there during the showing, inspection, and other visits. I even stepped back while the home owner "showed off" the property. MONEY PIT!! But, the guy likes it. I showed another house that was vacant to a different buyer a few weeks ago and because I knew a planned project was going in behind the house I told the buyers. There is a 50 foot buffer between the house I was trying to sell and the complimentary project that was going to be built. The buyer for that house claims they couldn't think about living where construction was going to take place and that was the end of that sale. I think they just wanted an excuse not to buy. No bad! Another agent has put a contract in on what I think was a great buy. September 23, 2007 6:47 PM
Member Since '06	Barb Van Stensel said: Michaela, in Chicago, the MLSNI allows us to view the lot size right on line. Are you in Lake County? Do they have that feature. It's kind of nice to have in Chicago. September 23, 2007 7:37 PM
Member Since '03	Mipeco Realty, Inc - Michaela Krestenic, Broker-Owner said: Barb, we knew the lot size but when we went to see the property, it was impossible to tell where the actual lot lines were. The feature that we have with MLSNI sure does come in handy ... I've used it numerous times. September 23, 2007 8:04 PM
Member Since '07	Michael Klijanowicz said: I love when the sellers are home because I get as much information out of them as I possibly can! And usually, they sing like birds... September 24, 2007 5:47 PM
Member Since '03	Mipeco Realty, Inc - Michaela Krestenic, Broker-Owner said: Michael, and do you also let your sellers stay home for showings ... knowing they can sing like birds? September 24, 2007 6:26 PM
Member Since '07	Shelly Constantz said: Of course michael works for the state penitentiary, and is used to getting "inmates" to sing like birds : ) September 24, 2007 9:30 PM