Lawn Mower

I listed a home early this year that was a short sale. The owner lived in another state, and though the neighbors didn’t like it, I was told not to mow the lawn! She wanted to make sure the appraisal came back low, that way when an offer came in and they were ready to get their appraisal, I could mow the lawn and get the appraised value higher for the buyer.

I thought this was a crazy idea, but I went along with it telling buyers and their agents what the plan was and most thought like I did, but went along with it anyway. Well, along comes an offer and it was a full price offer and the bank did their BPO and then an appraisal and the home came in valued at about $165,000. We had the home listed at $199,900 and that is what the offer was for. (Of course the bank accepted this offer… 5 months later, but they accepted the offer.) I didn’t tell the buyer or their agent what the BPO or the appraisal came back at, they were just
happy the bank had accepted their offer.

So, we mowed the lawn, trimmed the hedges and 2 hours later the house was looking pretty good from the front, unlike it did earlier in the morning. Heck, you couldn’t even see the house at 9am. We had to weedwhack the lawn prior to mowing because it was so high. But, we called the buyer and they came over and were amazed at the difference. They called their bank, the appraisal was ordered, and boy, were we surprised when the appraisal came back at $200,000! I was expecting to have to ask for a price reduction.

So, here we are less than a week from closing and everything is going smooth, but I will never doubt the power of a $400 lawn mower again.

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Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

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©2009 Todd Clark - Can a $400 lawn mower really make a home appraise for $35,000 more?


Todd Clark (broker w/ Ken's Home Team)
Keller Williams Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)746-9573

 

 

 

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 I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard. All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.

 

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10 Comments on Can a $400 lawn mower really make a home appraise for $35,000 more?

JUL
02
2009
146,205 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Todd,  Very interesting story.  I'm with you, I would have never thought that mowing (or not mowing) a lawn would make such a huge difference in the appraisal value.  I'm glad that it worked out so well for all parties.  I too would like to learn where you get those great buttons. 
4:07pm • #1

Todd,

Wow! I would hope that at least down here someone would make sure the pool wasn't full of bugs, as well as a Knee High lawn! Lol.

The customer is always right, right?

Great post, I like the underlying theme of flexibility and customer centric service.

Warmly,

Mary Alice Donahue
4:13pm • #2
254,360 Points 58 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Hey Todd, 

Looks like you have found the cure to the HVCC dibacle. Grow out the lawn, and just before the appraisel hurry and cut it. Great work! :) 

-Lisa
4:42pm • #3
4 Featured Posts

Genius, pure genius. I like this story...

Md
6:58pm • #4
1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor

Good Grief, this is crazy mad... I can't believe it came in for so much more. Tell me, how do you get the stars to align just so?
10:24pm • #5
569,437 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

A great story for the power of presentation it even affects an appraiser.
10:25pm • #6
733,960 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Todd..Well Done !!

I could tell you almost the same story with a Brown Lawn. I got a listing years ago, that was not selling, the lawn appeared dead. We bought a large bag of fertilizer and watered the lawn steady every day for a week, soon you could see the lawn turning green, then within two weeks and a Now Green lawn we had a full price offer. Go Figure.

Cheers, have a Great Holiday on the Fourth of July :O))
10:47pm • #7
650,291 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Unbelievable -- unbelievable-- but definitely the way things are going in this world today.
11:30pm • #8
JUL
03
2009
156,166 Points

I guess this just proves the power of "curb appeal".  Great post.  Thanks for sharing.
9:28am • #9
AUG
16
2009
170,855 Points 2 Featured Posts

Todd - I can't hardly believe this story to be true.  An appraisal goes up $35k because of a mowed lawn?  I guess wonders will never cease.  Good on you for this one.  Glad everything worked out.
6:01pm • #10

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