Our condo has been on the market since April 2, 2008. We have had 10 showings since that time, but no second showings.

The only feedback we have received from our realtor is that people say "they love the space and the light in the unit". But no one has really been interested.

We have lowered our price $20,000 and are definately priced on the low end of the comps in the area.

I have also posted on Is your House for Sale? discussion. Any feedback would be appreciated!

MLS #: 06847760

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

Wow Jen! Your place is gorgeous. IF I were looking for something like that, I would grab it in a heart beat.

Ten showings since April doesn't seem like a lot, so it's possible that the buyers are looking for a deal, or there are very few buyers in your area.

You know how that works...you have to lower the price until someone jumps on it. If the buyers are not out there that means that in order to creat a buyer, you have to go below comps.

Currently people are afraid to make a move. THEE only time they may do it, is when a "good buy" comes along. I know it's painful to hear, but that's what I hearing lately.

Hi Jen, can you post a direct link to your listing? I could not find it...

Re price lowering: I agree with that SOMEWHAT, but...when you get it too low, you get the "what's wrong with this house" syndrome kicking in.

I really would have to see your listing though, & know a little more about the situation before commenting any further...

Here is a direct link to our property. We are currently priced where other similar units are selling in our area. We are wondering why there has been so little interest and so few showings.

http://www.trulia.com/property/1058831725-2923-N-Damen-Ave-3-Chicago-IL

Jen, your condo is great! (My gram lived one block over from Damen by Lawrence Ave.) Have you asked your realtor how long condos like yours are taking to sell?

Also, is the association fee listed? I am curious as to how much that is, if it's listed, and if it might be having an impact on the sale.

Alos, do you have an elevator in your building?

First impressions...that's how I always do this because I figure that's how buyers look, going quickly from one pic to the next.

My VERY first impression...the "street view" that is shown on the first page is negative.
THEN when I see the front of the condo, and click on that...next impression is WOW!!!!!!
ETA: I see now that's on the Trulia page...so not much you can do about that, I don't imagine.

BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS...can't think of enough adjectives! This place should be getting loads of lookers...

Suggestions:

1) Is there ANY way to change that "street view" or take it off the site, or put it in a different place on the site? I have a feeling that buyers might be having the same reaction I did...and not looking any further. That's an unflattering view of your building.

2) The view is STUPDENDOUS...you or your REaltor need to retake the pictures, though, because they were taken before the trees leafed out. GREEN always lifts the spirits...so does sunshine...the view shown, while magnificent, is depressing in a way b/c of the leafless trees and the gray skies.

3) If you are not getting a lot of lookers, I say to concentrate FIRST on your online presentation, listing & pictures...because you've got to grab them HERE.

4) The kitchen is great BUT you need to do some counter clearing in here. Show off those gorgeous countertops by removing EVERYTHING extraneous...leave only 1 or two accessories, preferably a bowl of fruit or bouquet of summer flowers. Since it is a small kitchen (although spacious for a condo), you need to do all you can to play up the spaciousness. I'd remove all the bottles on top of the cabinet.

5) In the dining room I would remove the wine rack, etc. This would give a more cohesive picture of the room since the eye goes to those numerous bottles, etc.

6) Great balcony...for the pictures, though, take the cover off the grill. Add a few more potted blooming plants if possible. Make it look like it does just before you have a group over to dine on the patio...welcoming & inviting! That's a great space, play it up! You might even set the table out there if you have some pretty place settings for the outdoor living space.

7) Do whatever you can to bring "life" to the pictures...like a green plant on the bathroom vanity, for instance.

8) One more thing: can you move the TV for the pictures, at least? The TV is drawing the eye, instead of the beautiful mantel and great view.

Having said all that, I think your place is WONDERFUL...I do have a feeling that your internet presence and perhaps your Realtor's marketing plans might be the crux of the problem...

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

CM: We love the area too! : ) Our fee assessment is $165/month and there is not an elevator in the building, it is a walk-up.

PP:Thank you for the great suggestions! We will look into decluttering especially the wine/bottles and try to move the TV in order to change the focus in the photos.

I agree, that our internet presence and our realtor's marketing plans may be the problem. Thank you so much for the help!

I will add Jen, that your place looks every bit worth your price and more...

This is just a lousy market. Our Realtor told us if we didn't have to sell, to don't do it right now. We needed to of course, and that's why we went ahead...

What I'm leading up to is saying...of course I don't know your personal circumstances, but if you don't have to sell right now, hold on to that gorgeous place till you can get the RIGHT price for it.

If you do need to go ahead & sell, then...it's a matter of doing EVERYTHING to make it move...

BEST of luck...several of us here are in the same situation and only recently have received offers so...here is hoping that the good luck moves up Chicago way & that you will soon be on here getting OFFER advice!

Jen, I just took another look at your photos and I think I may see part of the problem. It looks as though the photos were taken from a kid's/dog's perspective, ie, much lower that what a normal adult would see. It's sort of dizzying, to me. Was the realtor on his knees when photographing? Maybe it's just me but especially the kitchen and baths, it's hard for me to see on top of the countertops. Ditto with some of the other photos, too.

Is anyone else seeing them how I see them or is it just me?

The pictures I am looking at are from the direct link above.

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

Are the "comps" listed on the website still for sale? If so, they are not comps. Comps are the final selling price.

I agree with the comments about the kitchen. It looks like you have no storage space. I thought the views outside were pretty bleak - how is the air quality?

Good suggestions from others on fixing the website!

Thank you all for the feedback on the photos. The Virtual Tour on the website link shows our first (old) batch of photos. We felt the color was off and clutter were detracting, so we did have them redone.

The Photos on website link are the new ones, which were taken with a wide angle lens (maybe why they look like they are taken from a low angle?). The photographer felt this would show the height of our condo (30 foot ceilings).

I do agree, both sets of photos are not doing our space justice. We will definately target this in our efforts of selling. We appreciate everyone's advice and suggestions!

There are a ton of condos in your area for sale - and it looks like some of the ones around you (probably the ones next door?) are also for sale, as well... Is there some reason so many people have their condos on the market - or is it just chance? I think you should have your realtor pull comps again (just the sold ones).... Your place is absolutely gorgeous, but you have an awful lot of competition right around you.... Good luck!!