I fired myself and here's why!
Did you ever have one of those listing presentations that just 
didn't get off on the right foot from the get go? Saturday I had an appt. for a listing that was either to be for sale or for rent as the seller was moving shortly to Florida. She wanted to know her options in this tough market so I offered my expertise and to come see the property.
Well, you know what happens when the seller just expounds too much about the condition of her home? No, Lyn I've lived here 5 years and there is no need to paint! The carpet is in fabulous shape but she can't even tell you what color it is? Neutral - now that's a color. I'll have to jot that down.
Upon arrival I asked for the customary tour and unfortunately what I expected surrounded me. Lots of clutter, way too much furniture and an extreme need for a paint job! In fact, this had 'paths' in a couple of rooms that I happened to mention made the rooms look terribly small and guess what 'we're selling square footage here right'?
Next was the interview from the parents - ahhhh, and that did not go well. I was trying to be respectful but who owns this home and who is going to sign the listing agreement? As it turned out, voices started to get louder and louder and Dad's face getting redder and redder by the minute when I seem unflapped by his statements. 'I don't care if you've been selling real estate for 50 years - we are not going to spend the money to paint'!
So when you move the furniture what do you expect to find? Alot of bad paint. And Dad's suggestion seemed to be the 'dalmatian method' of painting. Turn the entire house into 'clean spots' and 'dirty spots'! After a few minutes of his blood pressure getting elevated, I gently gathered my things from the couch and began to put them away.
That's it folks, I'm packing up and leaving this circus! And that's what I did!
Lyn: My sympathies on this little outing. Don't you just love it when the folks get involved?? It's just not possible to have a meeting of the mind with everyone and sometimes we just need to admit it ... cut our losses ... and move on. In the long run ... well, you know the rest ...
I'll be interested to see how long it takes to sell this property. Keep us posted, if you keep track ...
Gene
Gene: I'm sure I know how this will turn out. It will be a shame that it will be extremely costly for them as they won't 'get' how the market is. It's going to be a very expensive lesson I'm afraid. People don't want to rent a house in poor condition that needs paint & carpet. There are just too many choices out there!