LESSON 9 - Another Script
Housing Questions
Try to ask about 3-4 of these questions, followed with a couple of Situational Questions. Stay on Situational Questions until you find a need to ease the process. If you sense tension, return to Housing Questions.
Note: If at any point they seem to be rambling on, you must stop them by adding a different question. *Attempt to maintain control in an inquisitive manner.
- I was hoping to get a little more information about your house. May I ask, do you know the approximate square footage?
- Could you tell me about any significant updates?
- carpet
- bath(s)
- kitchen
- basement
- siding
- deck
- other: _______________________
- Could you describe the backyard? Fencing? What does the yard back to?
______________________________________________________________________
- What is the kitchen like?
- new cabinets
- new floor
- vaulted
- other:________________________
- Is the lower level finished?
- yes
- no
- Is there a walk-out? ______________
- What is the age of the roof? __________ Furnace? _________ A/C? ____________
- If you were to be staying 2-3 years, are there any particular improvements you feel would be necessary?
- carpet
- paint
- other? _______
- What do you feel are the home’s most appealing features? ______________________________________________________________________
- Do you have an ideal move date?
- no
- yes: Say, perhaps in the next few months or so?
______________________________________________________________________
Situational Questions
Are you working with Agents?
- no
- yes, ___________________
Have you established a rate?
- no
- yes, ___________________
I’m curious, why did you decide to go By Owner? Did you have a bad experience?
- no
- yes, ___________________
Is the commission the only reason you didn’t list?
- no
- yes, ___________________
Have you sold on your own before?
- no
- yes, ___________________
Where will you go when you move? ______________________________________
– or ask –
Have you found a new home yet?
- no
- yes, ___________________
Was this house previously listed with a REALTOR?
- no
- yes, ___________________
a. How did you arrive at your price? Was it an appraisal, an agent, or some other method?
- agent
- appraisal
- other: ___________
How long have you been ‘By Owner’? _______________________________________
How was your activity last week? ___________________________________________
How many total people have seen your home? ________________________________
a. Is most of your traffic from Open House, Ads or Sign Callers?
- Open House
- Ads
- Sign Callers
Has most of your traffic been Local or Relo? – We call out-of-towners ‘Rabbits’ and Locals ‘Turtles’. How are you planning on finding them, other than newspaper ads and signs? ____________________________________________________________________________
Have you contacted any Relo companies? ____________________________________________________________________________
What feedback have you gotten from Buyers regarding Price/Condition? ____________________________________________________________________________
Are you signing people in? The reason I ask is, besides safety, to see if you’re building a prospect list.
- no
- yes, ____________
Out of curiosity, I know you’ve been on the market for a while, but have you received any offers yet?
- no
- yes
Why do you feel your home has not sold? ______________________________________________________________________
If you haven’t sold in a month or two, what will you do? __________________________
Will you consider listing (or interviewing) with an Agent? _________________________
I wouldn’t want to step on any toes. Why didn’t you list with this Agent?
a. If you were talking with Agents, do you have, say, 2-3 characteristics or criteria you’d use for a hiring decision, other than simply to get it sold?
- no
- yes
Just out of curiosity, is there any particular circumstance you would find yourself receptive to, or intending to interview or hire Agents?
- no
- yes
a. Would you mind if I came to view your house?
- no, I don’t mind
- yes
Might you be receptive to my doing a walk-thru of your house and then sitting down to share my market evaluation with you and show how you or I could defend your home’s value?
TYPICAL RESPONSE: “I just want to stay ’By Owner’ for a while to see if I have any luck.”