Special offer

New Carpet Sells a Home!

By
Home Builder with Floor Coverings International

This is why I LOVE my job! I'd would like to share this story with you. 

My wife met a woman at our daughter's drama club.  She was moving due to her husband's job relocation.  They had their house on the market for 3 months and no offers.  The real estate agent STRONGLY recommend they replace their worn out carpet.  They did not want to spend any money on a house they had to sell - I get it.  She was talking with my wife and my wife mentioned we own a flooring company.  She rolled her eyes.  My wife saw this and tlod her we have beautiful looking carpetthat was not a lot of money and for her to call me so we could schedule an in-home appointment.   She hesitated but finally agreed.

  I went to the house and spent some time listening to them and understanding their needs.  They had 3 dogs and you could tell that the second you walked into the home.  I have 2 large dogs and fully understand the challenges of keeping a house fresh smelling when you have pets. They told me they did not want to shell out any money but with all the people telling them to replace the carpets due to the dogs they had no choice.  I was confident the house would sell simply by replacing the carpets with and freshening up the house. 

 

  I showed them a few samples of lesser expensive carpet that look and feel great.  They seemed to gravitate to the Beaulieu San Miguel.  San Miguel is my "go-to" carpet for clients selling their home.  It has such a nice high-end look but does not cost much.  When I told them what it would cost they were a little taken back.  To re-carpet the entire second floor (4 large bedrooms, a hall and a flight of stairs) the total came to just under $3,000.  They were expecting to, reluctantly, spend over $4,500.  Well, after a lot of thought and soul searching, they decided to go ahead wit the project. 

To make a long story short, 2 weeks after the carpet was installed, they had and offer on the house and it was sold.

This couple relocated to Texas and we have stayed in touch via emails, phone calls and face book.  We became such good friends they invited us to come visit them in Texas.   Well, next moth we are going to Texas!    

Carla Harbert
www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com - Avon, OH
RE/MAX Omega: Lorain-Medina County Area

It's true - looks are everything when it comes to a home, especially the flooring. Glad all worked out well for all parties & even the new found friendship!

Sep 02, 2010 01:44 PM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Getting the sellers to understand there is an issue with carpeting and even worse --smell-- can be difficult.  After living with the way it is, they are sometimes oblivious and do not see -- or smell-- what a prospective buyer does.  While purchasing the carpet is not inexpensive, it very likely saved them money in the long run by selling their house quickly and not having it languish on the market and subjected to price reductions. Nice work!

Sep 02, 2010 01:49 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Mark ~ This is a great story.. It would have cost them a lot more than the carpet if they did not sell their home for several more months...Have fun in Texas.

Sep 02, 2010 02:14 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

That is a wonderful story.  I have to get samples of that carpet - I mentioned to my rep the other day.  I also have a had several customers that had really bad floors, and we went in there to recarpet or add in laminate (not very expensive) and home sold very quickly - one of them within 2 weeks!

Oh, and the smell insight is a big one.  I'll have to remember to mention this to some of the other realtors I know.  (I have another customer who has the same issue...she is moving out end of month so the area rugs w/ the smell will be gone and then we can sand & refinish the floors.)

Sep 03, 2010 04:40 AM
Mark Woodward
Floor Coverings International - Randolph, NJ
We bring the flooring store to your door

I once read an article that state with in the first 4 seconds a person enters a home they immediately notice (in this order) the smell of the home, the painting/decorations on the walls and the floor.  Pretty amazing, right?

Carla - how many time have you heard this "You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make it a good one"

Barbara - you are sooooo right. We are often oblivious to how we see our home as opposed to how other see it.

Joan - I was so happy they sold the houe so fast.  You hit the nail on the head!  Thx for the well wishes for our 1st Texas trip.

Debbie - Try using San Miguel for customer who want a Berber in their basement.  Many customers think they want a berber until they see the San Miguel.

Sep 03, 2010 02:00 PM