Cari Westhoff, Broker/Owner, Cloud 9 Realty Group LLC

I lost a listing the other day…because I was honest. Yep, you read that right. As a realtor, it's my job to be honest about what your home could sell for...but sometimes, that causes me to lose a listing.

In these cases, the homeowners went with agents who gave them a much higher list price than I suggested. An enticing, pie-in-the-sky kind of price. It sounded too good to be true and sure enough, it was.

Even though it meant I would probably lose the listing, I just couldn't agree to list a home for significantly more than what I think the market demands. It may be a bad business decision to not tack on an extra $30K, $40K, or more, just to get the listing, but I sleep a lot better at night knowing I was completely honest & realistic with the homeowner.

This is why I'm honest, from the start, about what your home will likely sell for. I don't want your home to sit extra days on market or go through price reductions to get attention.

And I never want homeowners working with me because they're "locked into a seller's agreement." That’s where an agent holds the seller to a listing contract even when they are not happy with their performance.

I want folks to work with me because they TRUST me.

So, I give every market analysis my best, realistic assessment. I work to make sure what I'm suggesting reflects what's actually happening in the market right now.

The outdated adage of “you can always come down, but you can’t go up” is not always a good idea and can cost a seller money and valuable time on the market.

Call me old fashioned, but I'm in it for the long run. And I think in the long run, honesty & being straightforward with folks is the best policy.

Even if I lose listings.

- Cari Westhoff
Broker | Owner
Cloud 9 Realty Group

P.S. It still stings a little bit when a homeowner doesn’t choose me. But I’ve found there’s not much that a little time outdoors can’t fix. 😉