Brigita's Blog: Do You Think He Really Wants to Sell??

I have been working with a buyer that is interested in moving into the Lehigh Valley from out of state.  We viewed a number of single family homes and townhouses in the area.  He is interested in this one particular community of townhouses close to shopping and major highways.  This one townhouse he really likes.  Before he places an offer on it, he wants to see the others that are on the market in that community, just to be sure. 

There happens to be a townhouse for sale right next door that has a fireplace in it.  The other one does not.  So, of course he would like to see it.  Called to make an appointment with the listing office 48 hours in advance.  Never heard back from the listing office.  So, I called the morning of the showing to see whether or not it is confirmed.  The office informed me that they are having difficulty in reaching the seller.  An hour later, the receptionist got back to me and told me the showing is DENIED.  I had just enough time to catch the buyer before he left to come out for the showing.  The buyer asked to make another appointment for the following week.  OK, no problem.

Once again, I called 48 hours ahead of time to schedule the appointment.  I asked when the seller was allowing showings.  The receptionist said that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings were fine and Saturdays between the hours of 9AM to 4PM.  OK, I scheduled the appointment for Wednesday evening and waited for a confirmationl.  Once again, the listing office called the day of the showing to inform me that the showing is denied.  Wait a minute!  It was stated that Wednesday evening was fine for showing!  She just said that the seller denied it.  Good grief! 

Believe it or not, my client said to try again.  He really did want to see the place.  OK, let's try again.  This time I called the listing agent to set up the appointment.  The agent explained to me that the seller works for a utility company and has been putting in a lot of time.  He's been getting home between 7PM & 9PM.  His wife is home with a large dog and she is unable to take the dog out during the showings because he is too much dog for her.  So, why can't we just go in and show the home when no one's home?  The home does have a lockbox on it.  Because of the big dog.  Well, crate it, or put it in the basement.  If the buyer likes the place, he'll come back to see the basement at another time.  Can't do that.  The agent said he would try to call the seller again and see about arranging another showing.  This time I am giving a week's notice. 

About 4 days later, the agent got back to me.  The seller just called him back and told him no showings for the next 10 days.  You have got to be kidding!  No showings for the next 10 days!  Does he want to sell the place or not??  The agent informed me that 14 appointments had be cancelled and only 2 have been able to see the home since it was placed on the market.  One of the 2 that did manage to see it put in an offer.  Guess what?  The offer was refused!  The agent was very nice and pleasant.  He told me that this seller was frustrating him.  Never had he had someone so unco-operative as this one.

I relayed the message to my buyer.  Well, at this point, the buyer said "Forget it".  It is getting very frustrating even on his end.  So, we are scheduling an appointment for the other home in the community and just forgetting about this one.

At this rate, I do not think that this one particular townhome will get sold.  My question is, do they really want to sell the home or not? 

My advice to sellers:  If you are planning to sell your home, make sure the buyers are able to see it.  Rule of thumb: NO SEE, NO BUY!