A listing agent of a similar house to this one called yesterday for feedback, a very annoying habit of realtors who bug the agents who have shown their listing.
It’s annoying because if they really wanted “feedback”, then they would be open to what was said. Instead, they always refute the feedback, and usually just flat out tell me that I am wrong.
I told her that I thought regular 3,000sf houses in La Costa Valley (not Davidson) should be slipping into the $700,000s, because most are getting dated and suffer from small yards, power lines, or road noise.
She said that it might be possible if I wanted to sell short sales, and wait for months to see if they get approved; but regular sales aren’t going to sell for that. I thanked her for the advice – we’ll see.
Is there anything more annoying than someone who asks for your opinion and then tells you that you are wrong? Sheer ignorance.
Price aside, it’s a very tolerable house. It’s very 1980s or 1990s (which is it?), but there’s nothing in there that I couldn’t live with for a long time. The light wood and white countertops and appliances in the kitchen are not the current style, but it doesn’t grate. There’s probably a lesson in that for current buyers and remodelers. I have a feeling that the dark-cabinetry-and-stainless-steel look that has reigned for so long is not going to have the same sort of longevity.
It’s just not easy for people who use belief as their justification for something to hear an alternate opinion. They aren’t looking for feedback they are looking for support in their belief. Christians don’t head down to the Muslim Mosque looking for feedback on the existence of Jesus. Of course most Realtors have the belief that prices are going up soon or will return to their 2005-2006 in just a matter of time, so asking another Realtor for feedback is expecting an answer that supports that belief, when they don’t get it they are surprised.
We are closing mid next week on the sale of our house that we bought just a year ago and renovated. Yes, we are taking a fairly sizable loss. My wife wasn’t happy, but that’s a different story.
After most prospective buyer visits, I asked my listing agent to solicit feedback. Very little was price. Most people just said it wasn’t for them. We anyway ended up dropping the price 90K over 60 days to get it done.
We only had one viewer (won’t disclose what set them apart, but we didn’t take their advice) who said that we should drop the price 200K. Yeah, right. Sometimes, you don’t need to listen to other agents or buyers.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that you need to listen intently to what others are saying, but make your own decision.
The OC housing market is robust at the right price. Once we hit the 8’s, we had lots of interest, and multiple offers. Those psychological barriers are strong. Cross your fingers that the escrow closes without a hitch.
Chuck
#1
I have a weakness. I want people to use words in the way that they are supposed to be used. If someone wants my opinion I want them to say “what do you think?” or “would you mind telling me your opinion?” If someone asks me for “feedback” I want them to listen to what I have to say and then to say “Thank you for the feedback”.
Asking someone for “feedback” when you really want their “opinion to refute or agree with” really is sheer ignorance.