Protecting Your Listing from break-ins
Have you or your seller ever had one of those properties that was a difficult sale due to vandalism ?
Our 
poor seller overpaid for a property in Fishtown (did not have us as buyers agents), tried to sell it several times with different realtors, ended up having a bad tenant who did not pay rent, had to restore the property after the tenant moved out and then gave us the listing...
Property was on a challenging block next to an abandoned property which makes it a difficult sell. Still, Chris and Stephanie Somers hunkered down and got it under contract. We were nervous about a FHA loan but we worked with what we had.
On the day of the FHA appraisal, we get a call from the termite inspector that the property was broken into. We drove to the property and saw for ourselves that the bathroom was ripped out, all of the copper was stolen in the basement, a few doors were taken and the central air unit outside was stolen !!!!
Ughhhhh !!!!!!! So close but now so far away !!!
The seller got an estimate from his contractor for close to $12,000 - we called one or our contractor teams who ended up restoring it for around $6,000 so the seller was extremely happy we saved him about $6,000 ! (Tip - to be a great listing agent it is imperative to have really good working relationships with contractors.)
From that point on, we had the sign come down, we had the lock box code changed every week, we had the property secured from the inside (windows boarded and the back door secured). We planned explicitly for the FHA reinspection - passed ! We were all ready to go to settlement but wait a second, the FHA mortgage is not ready to go ! A day delay ! Then two ! Then two more !!!! And then yesterday the property settles !!!
Curse no more !!! Mission accomplished by The Somers Team (contractors and all) ! The benefit of working hard is that this Fishtown seller will probably never think twice about which realtor he will use in the future or which realtor he will recommend for his friends and family. Further, the neighborhood just received a valuable addition with these buyers and now the next door property is on the market too - it is another example of a neighborhood going through revitalization !
Hard work pays off !!!
Are you going the extra mile for your seller today ?
If interested in purchasing or selling a property in Fishtown or any part of Philadelphia, contact Chris and Stephanie Somers at thesomersteam@yahoo.com or 215-400-2612.
Philadelphia Real Estate - Chris and Stephanie Somers
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I love hearing stories like they are very inspiring. Congrats on your success with this property. It just goes to show that hard work pays off. I'm sure that the seller is going to keep you guys in mind.
Congratulations! That is what happens when real estate professionals are invloved in a deal. You close! Keep up the good work!
It pays to stay on top of your listings and have the connections to service your vendors needs. Its to bad that it was even necessary it is such a sad commentary on where humanity is and where it is going.
You guys rock! You got FHA approval next to an abandoned property? Good for you. SO glad that it all paid off for you and as you said... you have a client (and all his friends and family) for life!
All is well that ends well. It usually takes a good Realtor who knows what they are doing to make that happen. Congrats on saving the seller some $$ and getting a smooth closing put together.
Justin - Thanks ! Hard work does pay off for sure.
Kathy - Is imperative to stay on top of your listings. We try to go into all of our listings once in a week. It is kinda sad the number of properties that are being broken into and ravaged for copper and the like... other times, it is "contractors" going on for supplies, tools, appliances and the like. Is awful.
Sharon - Thanks ! We appreciate it : )
Bill - Yes, it is a great feeling. And you are right, deals like this may not go to settlement without the right realtor being involved.
Excellent post. You went the extra mile and that is why consumers choose you in the Philadelphia Market. Keep up the good work associates.
Christopher & Stephanie,
Thanks for the post. In this market, in some areas, this is the challenge. However, when you get to the other side, it is always great to see the good guys prevail.
Castellum - Going the extra mile is necessary in this market for a successful deal. Further, that really helps for future referrals as the appreciation of what you do for your clients skyrockets.
William - So true. We love being the good guys : ) Facing challenges is what we thrive on sometimes.
I'm thrilled for the both of you! Great story and success for yourself AND your buyers. How wonderful to have a reliable team that you know will do a wonderful job.
Carole - thanks ! This one was a rewarding one for all the parties... Further, the community is growing and improving at the same time !