After I have tried persuasion, I tell them what I heard in a conference five years ago - "Let me refer you to someone who specializes in over-priced homes."

Nick, I thought I was to say "that's a great Idea!" "We can just date this authorization to reduce 30 days from now so I won't need to bother you about it. Sign here! I mean, just in case it does sell by then." Mike, give them my card - I'll take anything I can put a lawn sign on. My new advertising is without price on the flyer or print ads. I just want the telephone to ring. I can put down this coffee cup. Honest I can.

Gregory,  You made me laugh.  I am getting call after call about listing homes from previous expireds.  NOW, they want to listen to me, go figure.  We do go to calles for this stuff!

I just went to a David Knox seminar and the question to the seller should be "Do you want to Stay or Do you want to Sell?

Nina, once again I FAIL! When did David list a house?

Mike:  I loved your answer!  From now on I have a new script.

Mike, That is a great idea!

So... right now, I am placed on the horns of a dilemma:  I can lie, or I can level... Which would you rather have me do?  (Wyckman)

Do you really want the best price?  You only get one chance to be priced right when the right buyer comes along.  Too high and they keep moving.  By the time you lower it later, you end up selling for less than you could have.  

The fact is, there are agents who don't sell many houses, who want signs in yards badly enough to tell you what you want to hear - and at least the sign might make their phone ring, help them meet buyers that they can sell something else to - but at that price, this house will just sit instead of sell.  So why don't we do what is really best for you and start at $ XXX,XXX  (Dugan)  

Mike,

      Great idea! Loved it an Nick you are on fire today!

Mike great line, and I do something similar.  For the seller that wants to overprice his/her home, I just simply state that I do not take all listings and if you want to overprice your home, I won't take yours.  Its a waste of time for all and you will get frustrated at me because your house will just sit.  I know there are many agents out there that will take this listing at your overprice and I would much rather you get frustrated at them.

I have used that line on about 10 occassions and only walked once.  The home I did not get, I ended up listing 6 months later and sold it for 10k under what I originally told him to list it at.  Nice hearing all the different opinions!

I walked from a "I'll sell if the price is right, and I want $860K" listing this week.  Exact same home sold for $699K 2 months ago.  I think it's BAD advertising for yourself if you knowingly list a home that you feel can't sell.  The neighbors all watch to see how quickly homes sell, and if it sits for months, be sure thay won't call you!

I told the seller that his home, at his price, would sell all the other homes in the neighborhood... a "bounce listing."

I'm watching a "friends" home who I estimated a list price of $389K sit on the market for 355 days now.  It's listed at $415K.  WAY too high.  I didn't get the listing of course because "I didn't know what I was talking about."

A straight forward  NO, never, uh uh, works for me.  A very sincere "I can't sell your home at that price", usually wakes them up.  Not as diplomatic as some of you pros posting earlier but efficient.  There are several agents in town referred to as "overpriced Jane or John Doe" and I don't ever want to be ranked with them.  The listings I take also have a built in price reduction during the 30-45 day range.  Be honest give them the best and worst case scenarios and life will be easier for all.

Good Luck

Realtor, Columbus Ga