Pool smells like a septic tank! Lawn is horrible! Bring all buyers!
Believe it or not, this type of marketing just might be the newest trend in marketing.
I am a member of 5 Realtors boards throughout the Los Angeles area from Lancaster to Hollywood. I listen to about 100-150 pitches at MLS meetings every week where Realtors stand up and describe their listings to other Realtors. "Beautiful"... "Gorgeous"... "Breathtaking Views" are the typical cut and paste remarks; however, I have noticed a trend taking place. I am starting to hear, "Ugly____"... "Needs a TON of Help"... and "Broken _____" used more and more. Realtors are starting to describe their listing by including the repair issues. At the Pasadena-Foothill Board of Realtors meeting this morning, a Realtor actually showed pictures of her repair issues and actually posted them on the MLS. That is not something you see too much of on the MLS, if at all!
Honestly, put yourself in the shoes of a buyer. Have you ever searched for items on ebay? Do want to see a stock photo of the item or actual pictures of the item... the good, bad, and ugly? Well, what about houses? As a Realtor sorting through properties to show clients, what would you like to see on the MLS listing? What about the homebuyer searching for homes online? The good, bad, and ugly? I actually believe people might want to see those ugly accurate pics. You think?
Maybe a trend is starting... we've seen transparent marketing across social networks, what about transparent marking of listings on the MLS? Any thoughts?
661.294.1812
25020 Avenue Stanford #110
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
I have seen all kinds of investors use nasty pictures of houses to further entice a short sale to go through. It even makes sense on an REO. Are they doing this with live human sellers?
Honesty works in advertising a property in my opinion. A potential buyer may perceive an agent to be deceptive if the description says cute and the reality is something entirely different when they see the property in person.
Jerry, I totally agree that if a house is really, really ugly that you can play that up. I have a buyer who wants something that only he will love - until, that is, he fixes it up to make it beautiful. He'd go for this big time if it were in DC!@
I would want to see this house just to see if it was as bad as the pictures! When I list a REO that is in decent shape, I've had agents call me and ask 'does the house really look like that'?
It's a smart approach to be honest and weed through the buyers that are looking for a beauty. Might as well target the RENO buyers!!!
It's an excellent way to describe a handyman's special. I have seen agents putting mint on a house that needs plenty of work. Who are they kidding?
Why lead buyers on. Tell them that the home needs work and let them decide whether they want to see it our not. Don't fluff and puff to make it sound as if they can move right in. There are plenty of contractors and/or investors who would be glad to pick up a home priced right to flip.
That is so awesome! I think that is a trend that should come and stay!
Jerry, good post. I have sold a few homes through the Internet with pictures and slide shows. The one thing I do is try and get pictures of the worst featues so the buyer feels comfortable with the home when he comes into town.
My mama always said "honesty is the best policy". I think buyers want to see things as they are, not as we wish they were.
Makes sense to me. Weeds out the faint of heart.
It would be interesting to follow the days on market for the properties with this type of advertising. I'd like to see how the results compare.
Jerry - At least a buyer wouldn't be surprised to see the house after that flyer - no expectations.
Thanks all for your input, I am taking it that it is not really a bad trend to advertise as such.
Melainie- yes, that would be an interesting stat.
Ted- I am sure that helps given you are working with people investing in time coming out of town to view properties.
I perfer honesty rather than fluffy descriptions that are over stated.
I have tried to hide the ugly photos. This makes me think I need to try something new.
People hate deception. When they arrive at a home and mention they thought they'd see something different, I know that a sale has been lost. if a home is a fixer upper or out of date, it should be truthfully rendered.
I'm going to use that straight jacket photo for my new pic! Seems appropriate for real estate at the moment. Before you say 'hey you've already got enough photos looking like a lunatic' .............
It's always a drag when there is only one picture in the MLS and it looks good from the outside, then you get there and the place is destroyed. I work mostly with investors who don't mind making the repairs but it would be nice if we knew ahead of time. I'm totally with you.