Thursday, September 4, 2014

How About Some Realistic Homes For Sale Ads?

I keep telling people looking to sell their homes about the need to ride herd on the agent they have hired, or to do their homework about every agent they are thinking of hiring. Here is why.

Take this online ad for the home at 10 Monroe St. in Billings MT. In addition to the fact that the home has been listed for two and a half months (at press time) and had another price reduction (over $6,000), it is obvious that the agent has not touched this advertisement during this time.

That is the bigger problem. The photos do not come close to matching the description copy. A big no-no.

The first full sentence in the copy reads, "Completely renovated with NEW flooring, doors, paint, hot water heater and much more." While the primary photo is shot with lighting that makes the roof look like patch work, shows absolutely no window decorations, and a worn out lawn that looks like no one has touched it for weeks.

The next sentence reads, and I quote, "2nd bedroom is through the 1st". Let's have a show of hands. How many of you read that and immediately wanted more information about the home? I didn't think so. By the way, this is listed as a THREE bedroom home.

I'll skip the part where the web page shows that this home was built in 1930 and the photo spread confirming that the home is totally empty AND poorly lit even during daylight.

There are several other properties currently listed within the same area in the same price range. Obviously, there is absolutely no reason for anyone to respond the way this advertisement is presented.

This is not to knock the listing agent, although it is difficult not to. However, somebody is trying to sell this property, but seems to not care how it is presented.

My point, again, is that sellers need to keep track of how and where the listing agent is representing the property. See for yourself:


http://www.homefinder.com/MT/Billings/10-Monroe-109067846d