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What does Coming Soon really mean?

March 16, 2014 By Doug Francis

Vienna Coming Soon Sign Real Estate

Read as “For Sale Now”

There really isn’t any sign more confusing to consumers than a real estate sign in front of a house that says Coming Soon!

It’s easy to understand a movie trailer that Muppets Most Wanted is coming soon.

Or that the new 2015 VW Beetle is coming soon.

Or that the new iPhone 6 will be coming soon.

Each of these statements can create a little excitement — anticipation is a natural stimulant. There is probably something right now that you can think of that will give you a jolt of excitement. See!

Coming Soon adds to the excitement, right?

And then there is Phil Dunphy, a fictional TV Realtor, who has placed a Coming Soon sign in front of a wonderful house in a neighborhood that you know you can afford. You know, it’s the neighborhood close to work, which feeds into the right schools, or near your friend Phyllis.

The frustrating thing is that often you will see the sign… only to see an Under Contract sign two days later. Plus it never showed up in your Zillow alert, or Trulia email.

Phil, how did that happen?

There isn’t an establish Realtor protocol on this type of advertising. Maybe there is an individual office policy, but, the sign means nothing other than the house is for sale right now.

Yes, right now.

It means the house is for sale right now!

The real estate profession has allowed a subculture of misleading advertising to surface. Understand that not every real estate company/agent/broker is a member of the National Association of Realtors which prides itself on a long established Code of Ethics which specifically outlines, in Article 12, misleading advertising to the public is a no-no. But, in my opinion, if a Realtor has a Coming Soon sign out there for an extended period then there is an issue.

It is an epidemic…

For example, last week I was looking at real estate in Vienna when I saw a sign in front of a house on a street that I have always liked. The house looked abandon and was in terrible condition… a classic Vienna tear down opportunity.

And guess what, the sign said Coming Soon.

This could have meant that a new home was coming soon which, in my opinion, is a justifiable use of the sign. And since it was potentially a house that my client may want to buy I decided to call the agent.

What she said to me totally pissed me off. In over 20 years in real estate I have never, ever, wanted to tell off another real estate broker as much as when I sat in my car.

You see, that house was totally for sale and, “if I submitted an offer over $600k”, then it could be mine.

Okay, maybe that agent was trying to get the highest offer but why have a Coming Soon sign?

Am I the only one who feels this is confusing? Yikes!

If you are a buyer looking at homes and you have seen Coming Soon signs, then you need to know that is an invitation to write up an offer. In a competitive market where homes sell in days, if not hours, then you need to have your agent collect as much research as possible today so you can make an educated offer.

My tips include looking at the tax records, zooming in on Google satellite views, driving past looking for additions or updates, checking out the neighbor’s house and what similar nearby homes recently sold for. Your buyer agent should be able to really give you good ideas.

What you also might not realize is that Listing Agreement (between the owner and his Realtor) clearly states that the agent will present any and all written offers. Their agent has a contractual obligation to her client to present your offer. Submit now please…

Competitive real estate markets across the United States have home buyers taking aggressive strategies like writing personal letters or going door to door. In my opinion, the door to door strategy is not a good idea for safety reasons but I have read about people doing it. Over the years, I have used many strategies to help clients buy homes that weren’t technically on the market.

When might the seller respond to your offer? Again, there is no set rule unless you add in a deadline.

But hey, don’t be surprised if you do get a response and get the house.

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Jargon, Vienna Real Estate

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house in Vienna, we were thinking about raising the kids, updating a lot, and building an addition. With our kids now out of college, our plans are looking at our next phase, especially after seeing friends move away and adjust their lifestyles.

So, what’s next after 25 years? It’s a conversation lots of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or move closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead to their new plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background: I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, have negotiated hundreds of sales contracts, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and still sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let’s discuss your moving plans: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

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$2,399,000
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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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