In the Real Estate market we are in, and have been for a few years, everyone is aware that the time to sell their home is longer now. But, just becuase it is taking on average of six months or longer to sell a home; do you need to be locked in with a Realtor for that time period? Or can you cut your contract early without penalty and go with another Realtor?
The other day I talked with a couple who had their home on the market. They said that the Realtor was unresponsive to phone calls, e-mails and never told them what came out of the showings they had on the house. They could not wait for the listing to expire so that they could find another Realtor. Now, this may not be the norm among Realtors; but seems to becoming more common here in the Charlotte market. My first question I asked them after listening to their story was "Why did you not fire the Realtor?" They did not think they could fire the Realtor and was just waiting it out to the end of the contract.
This led me to the question; Why sign a long term contract (this scenario was a one year contract) and not ask if you can get out of it early? Most sellers do not realize they can cancel the contract. If the realtor did not do what he/she said they were going to do in the contract; they breached. That in itself is sufficient grounds for termination of contract. But considering that the average seller does this every seven years and the average Realtor does this every day it is clear as to why the seller woud not know.
That has led me to use a seller service guarantee with all of my listings. if you are not happy with my services for ANY reason you can fire me. No fine print. No excuses. My company has implemented this and I beleive so strongly in it. I do not get paid unless your home sells; why would I not do everything I can possible to get it sold?
I have told sellers and advised them to do a three month listing with me. If you are happy with my marketing strategies, performance, and follow up then we can renew it. If not we can walk away friends. I have not had one walk away yet.
Dave diCecco
Realtor/Broker
www.davedicecco.com
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