Buyer's Lament - "We want MORE!"
March 7, 2006
One of my clients and a long-time friend made some observations on our first day of house-hunting. He had asked that I send him printouts of homes that fit his criteria and he wanted to spend a weekend driving neighborhoods before we actually scheduled any showings. His comments:Boy, real estate agents really don't realize how badly we want to see brochures on the For Sale sign. Even when a house looks like it might not be what we want, we'll still stop and get a brochure. On a couple, the brochure made us want to see the inside when the outside didn't really appeal to us.
The more photos the better. On the brochure, on the web, everywhere. Why do real estate agents allow the MLS printout to go without photos? (I told him that our MLS photographers run about a week to two weeks behind, but that agents can upload their own photos when they enter the listing. His answer, then why wouldn't all agents upload their own photos of the property?)
Take the fluff out of the comments in the MLS printouts -- give details and lots of them. Don't agents realize that buyers eagerly read those comments? The misspellings and poorly worded remarks have led me to believe that agents have little interest in marketing the property. And the number of incorrect directions give me the impression that listing agents must have trouble finding their own listings.
Last, he commented on the differences in handouts and brochures inside the listings. I can attest to the fact that his eyes lit up when there was a nicely bound brochure with lots of information on the table. If the house didn't interest him, he would carefully put the bound brochures back for the next buyer to take. If it did suit him, he read every word.
(c) 2006 Susan Pruden
A lifetime Maryland resident, Susan Pruden has the ideal foundation for selling and buying homes. After 8 years working in just about every facet of the mortgage industry, and several years with her own company specializing in marketing for real estate agents, Susan got her real estate license in 1994. Susan has earned several industry awards. The CENTURY 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Award is based on reviews from Susan's clients and is earned by a very small percentage of agents. She has earned that coveted recognition since 2012
Two others were awarded by the Prince George's Association of REALTORS®. The Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year Award is based on a mixture of community involvement, association involvement and real estate education and designations. The other, the Distinguished Service Award, is for "exceptional meritorious service."
Susan is involved in her local community. She was named Cheverly Volunteer of the Year in 2018, even having June 25th designated "Susan Pruden Day" in the Town of Cheverly. She is also a Commissioner on the Prince George's County Historic Preservation Commission and President of the Cheverly American Legion Auxiliary.
Susan Pruden has lived in Cheverly lived with her husband, Joseph, for almost 30 years.
