Walking homeowners through exactly how a first call with Jeffrey Funk works, when considering when a seller should list their property.
Blog Author: Renee Funk | Co-Founder, Professional Speaker, Trainer, Exaclty What to Say Guide
Most sellers have hesitancy to call a listing agent because a homeowner does not want to feel “sold.” Most stereotypical sales agents rush the first call with a salesy approach. Both of those approaches create unnecessary pressure, and fractured trust.
At The Funk Collection, the philosophy is simple. What is best for the customer? Not what is best for the agent. Not what is driven by sales pressure. The seller should feel safe, not sold. The seller should feel heard. Not talked AT. The professional listing agent leads with curiosity, not sales breath.
The First Call: A Casual 15 Minute Conversation
The first call is casual and focused entirely on seeking to understand. The call typically lasts about 15 minutes and is designed to remove tension, not create it. There are 2 methods Homeowners reach out:
1. Some homeowners call directly: 407-285-9672
- No preparation needed. No pressure. Just impromptu casual communication on a phone call.
2. Some homeowners prefer to book a time directly on Jeffrey Funk’s calendar: Book a 15 minute phone call
- Some customers prefer a bit more structure. Some prefer convenience. Both are respected.
What does a 1st Call with the Listing Agent Sound Like?
The first call is rooted in curiosity. Asking simple, essential questions that give clarity without creating overwhelm. On the 1st call, The Funk Collection Team will ask:
- What is prompting the possible move?
- Who is making the move?
- What is most important to your family with the timing?
- What upgrades or improvements have you made since purchasing the property?
- What outcome you are aiming to achieve, and by when? (Commonly, the Agent will ask a question like, “Ideally, would you like to be in your next home before the holidays, or perhaps into next year?”)
- When was the last time the Seller was provided a professional assessment of their equity position?
Notice what is NOT discussed in the first call with a Listing Agent:
- Pressure to list
- Attempting “win” your business fast
- List Pricing / commission
The first call is simply discovery. The goal is to understand the seller enough to determine when/if scheduling a Listing Consultation will be helpful, or if an Equity Assessment is preferred. When the homeowner agrees, the next steps are scheduled at a mutually agreeable date & time.
What Happens Next: The Listing Strategy Consultation
This is the meeting where the difference between a stereotypical sales person and a PROFESSIONAL Listing Agent really shows. The Listing Strategy Consultation can be held:
- In-person at the property
- In the Downtown Windermere eXp Realty Office
- Or over Zoom/Google Meets
Jeffrey Funk listing consultations are scheduled for approximately 45 minutes and include:
1. A deeper curiosity-driven conversation. Seeking first to understand:
- The purpose of your move
- What the home sale will achieve
- Your ideal timeline
- Your concerns / expectations
- Your definition of success
2. Clarity on value, pricing strategy, and market behavior
Understanding the difference between online computer-generated valuations and a professional, real-time assessment is a critical first step. Most homeowners have peeked at “what their property is worth” on a national based website, with computer generated values being populated by a computer algorithm.
Online computer generated valuations are often off by as much as 20 percent because a computer cannot see home upgrades, condition of property, or neighborhood specifics. Before making decisions, homeowners deserve clarity that is rooted in hyper-local insight, not algorithms.
3. Data Dialog NOT Data Dump | We walk through:
- 7 critical data points every seller must SEE before deciding when to list their property
- The story the market is telling
Jeffrey Funk’s proven strategies Sellers can deploy to CREATE the market, NOT chase the market.
4. No Surprises! Read the Seller Questionnaire
Transparency is a CORE VALUE at The Funk Collection Brokered by eXp Realty. The team utilizes a customized questionnaire during your Listing Consultation. For Sellers who prefer to read the questionnaire prior to the meeting… the questions can be accessed prior to the consultation:
Instant Download: The Listing Consultation Questionnaire
5. When is the Best Time to List Your Southwest Orlando Home?
Words you will NOT hear from Jeffrey Funk & The Funk Collection: “It is always the best time to buy, sell, and invest in real estate.” Tough truth, those words are just NOT true. Today is not always the right time to sell. Yes, sometimes it may be beneficial for a homeowner to hold the property, to RENT the home, or to sell. Your specific needs determine the timeline, not ours.
The Funk Collection commitment is to help you make the most educated and confident decision.
For Agents: Why Approaching with Curiosity is Important
For agents reading this, here is why this process is important:
- You are a Professional Sales Person, not a Stereotypical Sales Person
- You are a consultant, not a chaser
- You eliminate pressure that damages trust
- You earn relationships rooted in clarity
- You help Sellers create the market, not chase the market
- You earn opportunities to work with sellers who are empowered to CREATE the market, NOT chase the market.
This is how professionals build a business with repeat and referral clients.
For Sellers: How The Professional Process Feels
You will not feel pressured. You will not feel “sold.” You will feel educated & empowered. You gain critical insights to understand the multiple options you can choose from.
Sellers sharing a conversation with Jeffrey Funk & The Funk Collection feel:
- Understood, informed, supported, educated, guided, valued
With 27 years of negotiations and communications experience, Jeffrey G. Funk, P.A. helps sellers to determine the right strategy and the right timing for your family. We do not decide what is best for you. We discover it together.
Ready To Take the First Step?
Prefer a Phone Call? CALL Jeffrey Direct 407-285-9672 | Book your 15 Minute Discovery Call
Preview the Instant Download: The Listing Consultation Questionnaire
Hear from Southwest Orlando Sellers who have hired The Funk Collection to list & sell their property. With over 500+ 5-Star Reviews on Google & Zillow combined, The Funk Collection is passionate to EARN the opportunity for your business.
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- Blog Written by Renee Funk, Professional Speaker | Exactly What to Say® Certified Guide | Co-Owner of The Funk Collection | Windermere, Florida | Direct Cell 407-575-4877
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