Home sellers become very concerned when their home has been on the market for some time and it remains unsold. The offers presented, if any at all, have been to low to even consider. After months on the Multiple the home is still unsold! Quite naturally they want to know "what's wrong?"...

 

That's a fair question. The newspapers may say some homes in the area have sold. Sellers are asking questions like "interest rates are down, aren't they?"... and prices are reasonable, "Why haven't I had a serious offer?", "Should I take my house off the market?", Should I change Realtors?"...

 

FIRST of all, slow down. Don't panic. Take a rational look at the market and make the most of it. Smart sellers are moving their homes right now, today. But those who are recognize that the market now is different from last year or even two months ago. They know they need to be priced better than any one else to be the the next home in line to sell or they may end up having to take a lot less if the market falls further in the near future.

 

SECOND, the smart seller comes to the obvious conclusion that cautious buyers are looking at more homes today and you have to be competitive, flexible, aggressive, especially with price to generate offers. Your horne can sell but needs to be seen as the best house out there for the money. Or to say it in another way... it has to be the least expensive home with the most to offer, period.

 

THIRD, sit down with your real estate professional and rethink your strategy. There are a number of actions to consider to beat out your competition. All the marketing in the world will do little if your price is incorrect, your home does not show well because of deferred maintanence, it is not clean or has some marketing abosolecence (defect) like being near an airport, busy street or a floor plan which may not be functional and attractive to most buyers in your price range. Price must reflect what potential buyers will see or not in your home or they will go to the next one.

 

PRICE, PRICE, PRICE!... Reviewing your asking price is the most difficult, painful and personal part of answering the question, "Why aren't we getting any action?", This is typically the single most critical element in your marketing plan. Get fresh comparable sales in your area. Forget the asking prices of homes that aren't selling. Check out the homes that are selling. Your horne must be priced to meet today's market or all of the other elements of your marketing plan won't make much difference.

 

 

Why Hasn't My House Sold?

 

There is a selling price for every property. If the market is showing little interest in your property, the price is probably too high for this market!

ATMOSPHERE. There are also some "do's and dont's", which can be helpful in creating a selling atmosphere. Leave the house when it's being shown and take the dog and children with you. If you must be horne don't chat with buyers, make yourself invisible! Experts recommend you stay clear to give the potential buyers room to experiece the home as theirs and not some one elses's.. yours. Tune the FM radio to quiet, soothing music. Be careful of cooking odors. Turn on all the lights and open window shades .   Keep kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms clean and picked up as much as possible as people are most sensitive to these areas. Remember, McDonalds made their name famous worldwide because their bathrooms and kitchens give the impression that they are clean enough for you and your family. Buyers tend to offer less for a home that does not meet their personal standards of cleaniness or habitability...   Fresh flowers are always a plus. Try and keep the temperature at a comfortable level or open the windows and doors if weather and security permit. Pick up kid's toys and if your yard needs some help make sure to fix it before showing it to the market. .   Help your real estate professional by creating a warm, pleasant, private and warm environment. Remember, it all translates into the fact that a better presented home motivates a buyer to want to move into it and also be willing to pay more if necesary to purchase it.

-by Real Estate Brokers Association Tips.

 

 

" when building a mouse trap, make sure to leave room for the cheese or you'll never catch a mouse..."(Chinese proverb)