As you probably already know, I have a RE license. I am no longer actively working, so my license is in escrow.
In order to get this license, I had to pass the state exam. I went to school to study RE law and theory in order to sit and take the test. The exam was not easy. Only 20% of the people pass the exam on the first try. If you fail the exam five times, you are never allowed to take the exam again. Yes, there are many people who fail five times.
Once you pass the test, you must work for a broker who is supposed to further your education. From my experience, very few brokers do this in a formal setting.
The schooling you must receive in order to get licensed does does not teach you how to fill out contracts, or how to help people buy or sell a home. It just goes over laws, deeds and discrimination.
When I made my first sale, I did not know how to proceed. Since it was late at night, I told my clients that I would drop over to their home the next day with the paperwork for them to sign. They were agreeable...good thing because I didn’t even know what paperwork I needed. As time goes buy, I gained experience. So this career is on the job training.
This young man that you hired that sold many homes in your neighborhood, probably didn’t sell the homes at all. What he did was list them. Chances are another realtor actually sold the properties.
He also stepped over the line. He should have never, ever moved things in your home or removed them altogether. What he did was disrespectful and you have every right to be angry. I am sure you feel violated because strangers were going though your home and handling your possessions.
What I would do is look at the sellers contract and the sellers estimated cost sheet. You need to see if you gave him permission to do this. Also check to see who is going to pay for the stager. RE companies pay for the video and pictures, but the seller pays for the stager in my experience.
If you are not happy with this guy, and I find it difficult to believe you would be, contact his broker and ask the broker to assign you another realtor from the office. This happens on a regular basis...sometimes a realtor dies, moves or quits while they still have active listings, so the broker is used to doing this.
And I agree this guy watches HGTV way too much. Even though realtors tell you to remove all personal items, I haven’t found that doing so sells a home any faster.
Most buyers are looking for neighborhood first, then price. If they like the layout of the home and it suits their needs, they will make an offer.
Things that determine how much their offer is-is inventory. If homes sell fast in your neighborhood or there is multiple offers, they will bid higher.
If the home is dirty, has odors, is cluttered so much that it looks really awful, has an old roof, or old appliances or outdated kitchen and bath, most people will make an offer at a much lower price.
Of course, there are people who must have a move in ready home, so they will walk away, but no one really cares if you have chairs around your tables or desks. Screech.
If you have way to much furniture, your rooms will look small, so you might be asked to put some into storage. But being honest here, if I were to go into a home and there were no chairs around the table, I would think the room is too small for a proper table and chair set. I’d rather see how your furniture fits, so I can judge it against the scale of my furniture.
IMO, your realtor seems like a eccentric idiot. He is working do you, so if he is not meeting your expectations, I would make it known to his broker ASAP.
Good luck, I hope your home sells fast.
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