Part II response:
I always work in the best interest of my clients, in this case trying to sell the 6 acres as they requested. In the end, it was definitely all about price as demonstrated by the new listing agent. Once they decided to keep the 5 acres and to sell only the 1 acre with the house at a reasonable price, they received an offer. I am sure that my previous listings supported the new buyer feeling like they were getting a good deal, which is what we discussed in the beginning. Ryan and Jenny were never misled in price to secure their listing, they wanted to sell 6 acres with a home at the highest possible market price and I worked to support their decisions and tried to sell it for them.
Article 11: (Standard of Practice 11-4)
I feel that I am a very experienced agent in marketing and selling homes in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. I recently had 3 listings in Auburn one 5 acre one 2.5 acres and one with 1+ acres, plus one in Snohomish with 5 acres. Contrary to what was stated in their complaint I never stated that it would be easy. I am licensed and work very successfully selling residential real estate in Washington. There was nothing specialized about this property outside my experience it was ....2 parcels ...one house.... on 6 acres.
I went over the marketing plan, I shared that most buyers come through the internet, but I would hold open houses, signage, flyers and the benefit of global marketing with RE/MAX. I provided all those services and much more.
The property was marketed on multiple cooperating websites, plus: (Exhibit D)plus
1. Individual website created and hosted
2. Virtual tour
3. Just listed postcards mailed 100
4. Private letter mailed to adjacent neighbors to try to sell the 5 acre parcel
5. Brokers open, with lunch served reached out to 21 brokers with current listings on NWMLS suggested date
6. Homes and Lands magazine half page ad
7. Flyers/craigslist/remax.com/realtor.com enhanced listing
8. 4 Open Houses public/broker
9. Tacoma News Tribune Ad
10. 2 yard arm signs multiple riders ( acreage.. new price)
11. Professional pictures
At one point, even though I discouraged all the print media ( I have had a lack of success in selling the advertised property it is more for attracting buyer calls) I told Jenny that probably 99% of buyers come from the internet....she requested that I advertise in the Little Nickel Want Ads to reach the "1% of buyers who do not use the internet" and I did. (Exhibit E)
The broker's open (10 days in advance see email) was scheduled on the MLS recommended date for all brokers open houses in the area, the third Tuesday of each month. I told them we could reschedule but they wanted the benefit of the regional potential traffic. I advertised and reached out to 21 agents (see email - Exhibit F). They shared that their mother in law was visiting and I said it was not a problem if she wanted to stay home with the baby. I bought a nice lunch platter, the mother in law was very pleasant, the baby slept and we enjoyed lunch. Three people came through and their mother in law made sure snacks were left for R/J. In 2 hours it was done and everyone was happy.
The tax parcel was not incorrect, both parcel numbers were used to create more activity as options provided on the NWMLS and is the same parcel number their new agent used to sell the 1 acre parcel. They also stated they used my services as a buying agent: That is NOT true; they did use my services to write 6 offers (over 3 months) on their behalf that were all too low and not accepted. I learned in August, that they purchased with the listing office agent, on a home the first day on the market and they offered full price. (Exhibit E)
Again, I repeat that I am proud to sell homes, properties, in multiple counties, multiple locations, acreage, non acreage and homes on acreage - all property types under my license. I work all over the south but am not exclusive to one market area or one property type. I am very well qualified to market and sell in their neighborhood. I always work for the best interests of all my clients. Unfortunately, the 5 acre parcel was not sold through no fault of mine and certainly not violating the Code of Ethics.
Article 12: (Standard of Practice 12-8)
I expended more marketing on this property then I have on my $1+m homes. The property was advertised in multiple locations, publications, websites, Listing Office walk by window display of homes for sale, yard arm signs, open houses, broker open houses, cooperative broker open houses, neighboring property just listed mail around, mailing to all connected neighboring properties who had access to the land locked 5 acre parcel, flyers (see list above). (Exhibit F) read more
