Post Content

Ask McEnearney: Two-Way Street — Interviewing Each Other

This week’s Q&A column is sponsored and written by Ann Duff of McEnearney Associates Realtors®, the leading real estate firm in Alexandria. To learn more about this article and relevant Alexandria market news, contact Ann at 703-965-8700 or email [email protected]. You may also submit your questions to McEnearney Associates via email for response in future columns.

Question: Two-Way Street — Interviewing Each Other

Answer: Not looking for love, not looking for a forever commitment, but also not simply looking for a vacuum cleaner either… critical decisions await.

Out of the blue, we realtors all get phone calls from phone numbers we don’t recognize and hear previously unheard voices asking for a meeting to possibly list their property.

And, we begin… preliminary questions batted softly back and forth with sellers checking that they have identified the perfect agent for their special home and, though it is sometimes not realized, agents are digging into whether someone might just be testing the market without the intention of actually using our skills to sell properties.

Why would sellers ever do that, you ask… humans have lots of reasons to take actions… maybe there is a potential split coming in the household and one party wants to have a plan put together; maybe greedy heirs are fussing with each other and may never agree on listing terms or division of proceeds; maybe a job transfer is possible and a seller only wants data for negotiating a corporate buy-out; or other reasons.

Listening is important for all parties. Make an appointment to talk without distractions — either on the phone, in person or via ZOOM. Just the other day an out-of-town seller started what ended up being a two-part, serious conversation first calling from her car while stuck in traffic with twin 3-year olds in the back seat. Those little ones were bouncing around vociferously while she was trying to have me sell Grandma’s home in Rosemont. Calmer times prevailed after nap time and we now have information exchanged and a plan for January 2021!

Two weeks ago, again listening was critical… a tough break-up had left the house half-furnished and two horses soon to be homeless. This was a case where I had to bow out, let the spouse sort many, many issues out first, and offer to meet again in six to twelve months.

Then, a beloved couple in Old Town told me upfront that they only wanted a price or market analysis so that some neighbors could purchase it from them, having always loved their home. Jump ahead three weeks, when the friends declined the opportunity and I was unexpectedly signed on as their listing agent, did intense historical research, heavy marketing and received five lovely contracts from the broad market. You just never know.

And, finally, just when you think this business is simply transactional and transient, I got a call from a client wanting to switch lifestyles from a cool, three-level townhouse to upscale one-level living. He was serious and, within weeks, we sold his home and contracted for a classy condo.

As we sat, socially-distanced at back-to-back settlements last week, we laughed when counting that these represented our Settlements #7 and #8 for him, finally beating out my other long-haulers, who have maxed out at 7 settlements, for now!

Stories for everything indeed, but the matching of experience, energy and true interest in selling, makes a successful match. Listen carefully to each other, ask lots of questions, both directions, and work toward creating a team effort to happily, smoothly head toward settlement.

Ann Duff — Your positive advantage for residential and commercial properties throughout the area. Experience and Energy, Negotiations and Knowledge — All with a splash of fun! Let’s Get Busy!

If you would like a question answered in our weekly column or to set up an appointment with one of our Associates, please email: [email protected] or call 703-549-9292.

McEnearney Associates Realtors®, 109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. www.McEnearney.com Equal Housing Opportunity. #WeAreAlexandria

Recent Stories

At a town hall meeting last Sunday, most City Council members said — in no uncertain terms — that they are opposed to a ward system in Alexandra. Currently, all…

Alexandria is bracing for a federal government shutdown at midnight on Sunday (Oct. 1). The city is preparing a package of services for impacted city residents, should Congress not come…

Shuttles are running between the Potomac Yard Metro station and National Airport Metro station after a derailment this morning. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) said there were no injuries…

Just Listed in Alexandria

Just Listed includes a 1 BD/1 BA freshly painted condo with an in-unit washer/dryer, hardwood floors and built-in cabinetry.

If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).

ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.

This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!

In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!

We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

2023 Alexandria Fall Festival

Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

×

Subscribe to our mailing list