Imagine the following scenario: After meeting with potential sellers for several weeks, reviewing market data, and settling on the right price, they’re still hesitant about going “fully” public. They’re not ready for open houses, listing sites, or a stream of strangers walking through their home. So, I offer them a more “confidential” option: an exclusive listing within my office. We assure them that we keep things low-key and bring in only the buyers we know would be a genuine match for this house.
They agree.
Within 24 hours, we show the property to three serious buyers. Another 24 hours later, we receive an offer of $50,000 over the asking price.
This is a realtor’s dream. We don’t get paid by the hour, or even by the client. We only get paid if and when a deal closes. And now, we’re looking at a full-price-plus offer almost immediately.
But then comes the doubt.
The sellers begin to wonder: Was this too easy? If we got this much from just three buyers, imagine what we might get from 30. And I get it. It’s human nature to question whether the first offer is the best offer.
Over the years, I’ve seen this scenario play out more times than I can count. We pass on the initial strong offer to the sellers who take a “wait and see” approach. And so we wait and then wait some more. Frustration builds. Eventually, I’m given the green light to circle back to the original buyers but, alas, they’ve moved on.
It starts to sound a lot like a bad dating show. And that’s when the truth hits. Whether you’re searching for a spouse or selling a home, it only takes one.
Right now across the country we’re seeing a growing divide. In markets where inventory has started to unleash, particularly in parts of the south, home prices have flattened or even begun to dip. But in areas like ours, where the number of homes for sale remains incredibly low, prices are holding firm and demand is still high. Our community is very much on the side of that divide where competition is fierce and well-priced homes are being snapped up quickly, often with multiple offers in a matter of days.
Today’s buyers are more informed than ever. They’ve done their research. They know market value before they even step through your front door. Pricing, comparables, local trends — it’s all at their fingertips. That’s why it often comes down to the fine details: your home, your block, your timing (your realtor).
In the end, just like finding your bashert, a house sale “only takes one.”
Nechama Polak is the broker of record and owner of V&N Group LLC, located at 1401 Palisade Avenue in Teaneck. Send your thoughts and comments to [email protected] or call 201 826 8809.
