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Thanks for all the help

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cfaner,

Where has Joe been marketing your property?

I probably watch too much HGTV but by its standards your home is cluttered which in this day and age is a no-no.

Could your location be working against you? My home has been on the market almost 450 days with 6 showings.Several have loved the house and realtors say it shows well but... Aside from those whose current homes have not sold, the main complaint is its distance from the city. I don't have to sell right now so when the current listing expires I will take it off the market.

You may have to bite the bullet and bring money to the table when you sell after lowering your price. Unfortunately this is happening to many folks. The last house that sold in my area sold quickly because they priced the home probably two hundred thousand below market value. The buyers knew a good deal.

In some areas, the rental market is stronger than the sales market. Is renting your home an option?

Hi Cathy. Can you get a Stager in? If not, let me give you some tips - I Stage homes out here in Texas as part of my decorating buisiness and here's what I'd advise you to do if you're doing it yourself:

Take all the magnets and stuff off the fridge. Unclutter the countertops.
Get some inexpensive FLOOR LENGTH drape panels for the dining room.
Take off the tablecloth and use a pretty centerpiece - take everything out of there except for the table and chairs.
In the bedroom w/ the red bedding take that bookcase out of there. Get a couple of taller lamps for the side tables and make sure there is only one dresser in there.
In the other bedrooms take out everything you don't absolutely have to have in there - it's very cluttered. I know this is tough with small kids but needs to be done.
Take a camera and go thru your home taking pictures of every single corner in every room and then look at them with an unbiased eye - you will see where the clutter is. Take everything out that doesn't need to be there.

How is your Realtor marketing this? How long is your contract? THere are several professional agents on here who are generous with their advice - listen to them.

And finally - good luck! Your home looks cute and with some tweaking I'm sure will be a good buy for another family. You may have to rent it out as the above poster mentioned.

Suzanne
www.PersonalStyleInteriors.com

quote:

Originally posted by Gwenda:
I probably watch too much HGTV but by its standards your home is cluttered which in this day and age is a no-no.

Could your location be working against you? My home has been on the market almost 450 days with 6 showings.Several have loved the house and realtors say it shows well but... Aside from those whose current homes have not sold, the main complaint is its distance from the city. I don't have to sell right now so when the current listing expires I will take it off the market.

You may have to bite the bullet and bring money to the table when you sell after lowering your price. Unfortunately this is happening to many folks. The last house that sold in my area sold quickly because they priced the home probably two hundred thousand below market value. The buyers knew a good deal.

Thanks for the advice will try to take some things out.

quote:

Originally posted by Jewel:
Where has Joe been marketing your property?

Mostly on websites. He's a family friend. He's been calling other agents in the area.

quote:

Originally posted by doodles64:
Hi Cathy. Can you get a Stager in? If not, let me give you some tips - I Stage homes out here in Texas as part of my decorating buisiness and here's what I'd advise you to do if you're doing it yourself:

Take all the magnets and stuff off the fridge. Unclutter the countertops.
Get some inexpensive FLOOR LENGTH drape panels for the dining room.
Take off the tablecloth and use a pretty centerpiece - take everything out of there except for the table and chairs.
In the bedroom w/ the red bedding take that bookcase out of there. Get a couple of taller lamps for the side tables and make sure there is only one dresser in there.
In the other bedrooms take out everything you don't absolutely have to have in there - it's very cluttered. I know this is tough with small kids but needs to be done.
Take a camera and go thru your home taking pictures of every single corner in every room and then look at them with an unbiased eye - you will see where the clutter is. Take everything out that doesn't need to be there.

How is your Realtor marketing this? How long is your contract? THere are several professional agents on here who are generous with their advice - listen to them.

And finally - good luck! Your home looks cute and with some tweaking I'm sure will be a good buy for another family. You may have to rent it out as the above poster mentioned.

Suzanne
www.PersonalStyleInteriors.com

Thanks for the help. Will definately do what we can.

quote:

Originally posted by bballdays:
In some areas, the rental market is stronger than the sales market. Is renting your home an option?

I don't know about renting, my husband's not sure of the work involved and worried about making sure we get good people.

I understood from the listing you do not have a garage. The first photograph with 2 cars, one going each direction, made it look like you are in a congested area or parking will be a problem. Could you ask for a better first picture? It is after all the first photo and sets the stage.

PS - Your house looks like an American Four Square -- not a Colonial but some people would complain and say I am being picky. I just respect American Architecture. Was your house built about 100 years ago?

Make the fireplace stand out. It is fantastic. The Blue house next door to yours looks like the exterior was reversed with yours -- Your front is the same as there back, There front is the same as your back.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: kiwikiwi,

Cathy,

Sounds like you have some staging opportunities and received some great advice.

WRT the possibility of renting, your realtor s/b able to refer you to a good property manager. (In fact, you might want to interview several to both compare services and fees and get preliminary income estimates.) Various websites can also help you estimate local market rents. Since you're moving out of the area, it would be extremely difficult to manage the property yourself. (You'd need an extremely reliable, trusted relative or friend to handle any unexpected issues.)

In any event, I'd certainly recommend staging the unit for either rental or sales showings. One other cautionary note: Like with realtors, I'd be wary of any property manager candidates who overestimate income to gain your business.

As always, JMHO and YMMV. Best to you and your family -

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bballdays,

Yes, deflock the frig and the kids room. I would paint the base exterior a Terracotta color.

I think in small towns like this outside of big cities - more appeal and marketing has to be done through neighborhood marketing efforts. Many times it is a relative or friend of a neighbor who buys in a small town. Ask your Realtor to do a neighborhood mailing. Walking neighborhoods like this..should have a flyer
box in the front yard as well.


Good Luck!

The price is attractive.

Hello Cathy, Ok, here comes the truth...reading the info on the realtor site, sorry...your house is NOT updated. First impression what appears to be the entry/mudroom is Wallpaper which is dated and not a good start. The dining room is included and any other room with wall paper or boarders in them. The border and floral curtains in the kitchen, they don't help either. And what is the paint in the bedroom with the red bedding? All this needs to be removed and painted, and not white! Try a soft camel or sandy taupe. AND the info says hardwood floors throughout, then rip up that red carepet and show the hardwood. Even damaged hardwood is better than RED carpet.
The pictures show a "cleaner" fridge... So should the video! The video shows the fridge full of stuff - not appealing.
The curtains should go to the floor or just keep the valance not both. I'm saying this to help with the budget. But the wallpaper is bringing down the property. The art over the sofa is samll, so hang it closer together which will make a bigger impact, instead of little pictures spread along the wall.
The wallpaper is the issue! You can find inexpensive paint, try the opps paint at box stores or paint stores. Usually about $4-5 per gal. Ask friends and family to help you out.
Buyers want move in ready, and this is not it. I don't want to remove the paper, get new carpet, paint or buy new bath vanities...so do the biggest job first. Your sweat = sale! Sorry, the house feels more like my grandma's.
Not move in ready. Best of luck.

You've already gotten lots of good advice on this forum.

I agree with the remove the wallpaper, paint in neutral and declutter.

Next, get better pics online! The present pics do not help you in any way.

If no one is coming through the door, then your problem probably isn't staging (although that can help) - its your local market and/or marketing.

Do you see anything selling in your neighborhood and/or are there a lot of properties for sale? What is a typical "days on the market"? Your agent should be able to answer these questions. MTalk with your agent about what more you can do to find/get buyers.

Cathy,

As a former realtor, and now a Home Selling Consultant I'd like to give you some free advice.

The top two reasons a home sells is 1) The Price 2) The Condition. I don't know your area as far as the price being right, but the condition of the inside is just not appealing.

There are a number of do-it-yourself simple techniques that you can perform to make your home show better.

The internet is the biggest marketing tool real estate has. Buyers look online first when beginning their search, therefore, the pictures must attract them to your house.

My suggestions would be really long for this post. I have a website that shows photo galleries of how rooms should look when showing. If you're interested please email me and I'll send you the link. All information on my site is free. I hope this helps you.

What does Joe say? Does he think it's the industrial park nearby/area that is a turn off.

Are your happy with his marketing efforts.. just calling other agents doesn't cut it. Is Joe by chance a part-time agent - just curious.


The buyers aren't hitting the door...so maybe the neighborhood needs work???Price and marketing. Have Joe bring all recent comps.

Agree---- you need staging.

Can the house go FHA 3.5 down?? If so why does the Realtor website say 20% down???

This message has been edited. Last edited by: real estate lady,

Thanks for all the help. We are doing adjustments to our price, house look, and considering using another agent. Your suggestions really helped a ton. Thank goodness for this site!!!!!

Well, good luck Cathy. Stick around and let us know your progress. We're rooting for ya.