Today has been a beautiful day here in Western North Carolina. I spent a couple of hours this morning with a musician, a Town Board Member and the Postmaster of Webster, North Carolina. All rolled into one! What I haven't mentioned is that Mark Jamison is also one of the most prolific editorial letter writers in Jackson County. He regularly contributes well documented, thought provoking and cage rattling opinions. Whenever one of his letters appears, I know I'm about to get educated.
While I'd love to have you think I was hobnobbing with a local celebrity just for the pure exposure of the experience...I wasn't. We have a mutual friend who's mentioned for years a piece of property out in Pressley Creek that Mark would like to sell. Mark stopped by the office a couple of weeks ago to let us know that his 60+ acre parcel is available as a pocket listing and that he will compensate any agent who brings him a qualified buyer. He shared some photos and data on the property via a website he is using.
We're glad to hear of listings that aren't being marketed, but in order to keep them uppermost in our minds it's helpful to physically see them. Mark and I made an appointment to go see the property today. It really is a great piece of property. He built a house there 15 or so years ago that he no longer lives in. The house could be easily adapted to suit a variety of needs. Tongue and groove vaulted ceiling, hardwood floor, great view, open floor plan, a full sized basement that could be finished including adding a stairway to the interior of the house. With judicious tree trimming there would be a phenomenal long range mountain view. The house is intensely private, yet only a 10 minute ride to Cullowhee, home of Western Carolina University.
Please let me know if you have anyone who would appreciate mountain living near Cullowhee, North Carolina.
After we saw the property we returned to Mark's home in Webster. I got to meet two of his buddies, 13 year old Chester and the youngster, Jack. Chester wasn't much for posing and I'm lucky to have gotten this photo!
I thought I knew a lot about Jackson County, but it was news to me that Webster was a hot bed for gnome activity. Actually, there are several that reside on Mark's property. While we were gone, a new door for the Holly tree was delivered. I have heard they are drawn to good music.
I'm curious to hear about the rest of the country's experiences and opinions about pocket listings.
As always, enjoy the music!
Unless noted otherwise, all photographs & content are my own and will only be shared with the courtesy of a written request for permission.
Thank you for sharing this. I hope someone finds exactly what they're looking for here.
Hi Mona, some commercial agents in our area use pocket listing for commercial properties. If you have a buyer for the property just register the buyer with the seller or use commission agreement to protect your procuring cause.
Do the gnomes have a gnome mobile? Not a fan of pocket listings. If a seller is serious, wouldn't they want the most exposure possible? How much time will an agent spend when there is no written guarantee of a commission. I have seen buyers preview the same property with more than one agent, and then the procuring cause can be sticky. I am sure this seller has his reasons. Good luck to all!
Wow Mona, Chester and Jack look like they would be great playmates. Back to work in Denver again.
Hi Mona, We don't have much in the way of pocket listings here. We are required to give any seller that is considering not listing on the MLS, the disclosure that basically calls it out as a stupid move with serious ramifications. Usually they decide otherwise.
Thank you Lawrence. It is a special property and if I didn't know the seller to be a man of good character, I wouldn't give it a second thought.
Hello Kwee, yes - the seller is aware of the paperwork we would need to take care of.
Hi Anne, I hadn't thought of the GnomeMobile in...well...since the movie came out! I tried to find the music on YouTube and when I did, I realized why it didn't stick with me. Some things are definitely better when you are a child. Yes, I am also not a fan of pocket listings. As you know, we cannot market this property at all without a listing agreement. That is why I was so vague in the post. You can be certain that we will not take a buyer out without a Buyer Agency Agreement in hand plus the necessary documents with the seller. And yes, I respect that for now, he has his reasons.
Hey Will, yes...Chester and Jack are a good addition to Webster.
Hi William, you always cut to the chase. The seller knows we are available to list if he should change his mind. Good to hear from you.
I currently have a pocket listing. I've sold a few in my 19 years. I generally get the seller to sign a one time showing agreement before I actually take clients in the house.
Hi Tammy, thanks for your comment. That's exactly what I do too. A buyer agency agreement in one hand and the one time listing in the other. Makes it hard to drive though, lol.