Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Partnering with realtors

[Maraiah (Lynn) Nadeau (welcome]

We have had rather little turnover in our 30+ years, but when houses have come 
up for resale, some have been marketed by our Outreach team, and others have 
used realtors. Of course we prefer to do it ourselves, seeking good community 
members. But we can’t prevent a seller from using a realtor, especially when 
it’s an estate in the hands of a non-local heir. Or if a seller needs money 
fast.  We have done  our best to educate local realtors, and to steer sellers 
to the most supportive agents we’ve found. But even a “friendly” agent is 
motivated to make a sale, collect their commission, and move on.

One strategy that has helped is having printed one-page handouts— one version 
for realtors (especially if on MLS, with many different agents coming through), 
and one version for prospective buyers. The latter not only available in the 
house, but when I see an agent bringing a client to the house I dash over and 
put the handout in the prospect’s hands, with a cheerful greeting and 
invitation to get in touch for more information.

Maraiah Lynn Nadeau
RoseWind Cohousing
Port Townsend WA
www.rosewind.org