To anyone facing the challenge of selling a house:
If you run across Mansion Minders and the dedication of Brenda Platt, make a connection immediately. I have learned this lesson the hard way. I had a house on the market forever, having loosely heard of the concept of having people live in it so that it shows better. But I held that concept at arm’s length, figuring it might be more trouble than it’s worth– moving someone in, worrying about what they’re doing, wondering if it really was a better idea than the simplicity of an empty house potential buyers could merely imagine their own stuff in.
I could not have been more wrong. An empty house– even a “staged” house, with some items tossed about so it’s not so dead– is no match for an occupied home with real people who can care for it, and get promptly out of the way if a showing arises.
That, too, was part of my hesitation. I pitied the poor souls who would have to scramble every time the phone rang so that some realtor could show my house. But this has been my education, and I share it with you so you don’t make the same mistake.
The “Minders–” the people who will live in your house, are thrilled to be there. They’re getting a big break on costs vs. renting, and they know full well that flexibility is vital. They are screened heavily by Brenda and her colleagues so that you do not have to worry about who’s moving in.
This leads me to the good people who did move into my house– and then promptly out about nine weeks later, because– please read this twice– my house sold that quickly after an eternity of inactivity on the market.
Could I have sold it by slashing the price? Of course. But once we had Mansion Minders in our corner, we did not have to. We sold for more than we expected because the appeal of the house was greater due to the Mansion Minders “touch.” Our minders were incredibly grateful and helpful, as we were indebted to them for having been such good stewards of our property. Any Minder will want as pleasant a stay as possible, so they will be vigilant about noticing some things that might need fine-tuning to improve the home’s appeal.
This leads me to Brenda herself. Her devotion to her craft means her Minders are happy– but the happiest folks are those of us who find our houses actually selling due to her diligence and attentiveness. She managed the triangulation masterfully between her office, the Minders and me, and this cannot be easy with so many parallel interests– some folks looking for a home to live in, others looking to sell, all with needs to be addressed.
Well, she addresses them…Quickly and professionally, with a great attitude and a heart for service. My realtor gets the commission, but I owe Brenda big-time. So if this letter helps her– and if it helps you by encouraging your use of Mansion Minders– then I am happy.
Mark Davis
June 28, 2014
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The Mark Davis Show
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