Vicky Chrisner

The previous are good answers. Occaisionally, it is the agent that stands in the way of a sale. However, more often is it price or condition of the home, coupled with the market conditions. You MUST trust your agent, he/she MUST be earning your trust constantly. Good agents know that. When a home is not selling, sometimes immeidately, and other times it takes a few weeks, I can usually tell the sellers WHY their home is not selling - Location, Price, and Condition are the key factors. However, I know that I am marketing the properties well - and in your case I don't know that since I don't know your agent or you or any specifics. If it's not being marketed well, and all the right things are not being done, it is possible that it is your agent. However, that is a far less likely situation. My best suggestion - have a sit down discussion with your agent. At the end, if you are not fully comfortable, then look into changing agents. Again - not because I necessarily think it IS your agent, but because you need to have the peace of mind that it is NOT your agent that is preventing the sale. If you don't have that peace of mind you will forever be second guessing yourself, and that is not a good position. - Earlier today

I agree with the previous answer. But, make sure you think through the full consequences. If they are tenant homes, and your family, for whatever reasons in the next few generations, WANTS to sell the farm, or portions of it, it will be likely be more valuable if it has been subdivided. It sounds like your intention is to keep the farm in one parcel for as close to enternity as possible, and that is respectable. However, you don't know what surprises life and society might bring to your children and grandchildren. Obviously, you love your children and want to help provide for their futures or you would not be considering this.

Talk through the various ramifications with not just a zoning attorney but also a real estate attorney. And, if possible, find someone with a good crystal ball who can help you foresee the future (lol). - Earlier today

Yes... Trust but verify. Get a referral to a couple of good people (real estate agents can usually recommend someone local). Call them all - see how they counsel you on your situation vs. what programs there are. Not everyone offers the same things, but they should be telling you similar things. Build a rapport. Get everything in writing. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If something sounds wrong, ask questions. If the answers sound fuzzy, keep looking for the right person. Most of the ones left are pretty good. The other ones left the industry when the heat got turned up. - Wed Aug 27 2008, 19:45

I'd like to suggest that you hire a buyers agent who will "farm" these areas for you. I am working with someone in a particular neighborhood in McLean, VA right now. We've been working together for about 6 weeks, and are currently negotiating an offer, which I have very high hopes for. You'll need to be willing to pay your buyers agent, since they are likely to find you homes that are NOT advertised on the open market, and you'll have to be patient with the process. My buyers had been looking themselves for over a year, and tried everything. Even though they started with hesitations and doubts about what I could do vs. what they had done, they are now experiencing the difference working with a professional. I'd be happy to help you find an agent that serves those areas and knows how to do this kind of work - not every agent can. If I can refer you to someone, please email me vchrisner@kw.com - Wed Aug 27 2008, 19:42

I hope this web site is helpful to you! - Wed Aug 27 2008, 19:38