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Breathe Life into Stale Listings

By
Home Stager with Stage It Atlanta

Has Charlotte spun her web on your For Sale sign?  Has the flyer box become home to the lawn pests? 

Selling s stale listing in a buyer's market can be challenging at a minimum.  The basics of marketing remind us that selling is a marketing issue.  To successfully sell a product it must be positioned as the most competitive product to the largest potential market.  In short, you have to be a front-runner in price, condition, and location.

 

Here are a few tips to revive a fading listing: 

•   Stop Selling the Competition instead, eclipse the competition by being among the top 10% of homes in your market.

o       Stand out in a crowded market.  Gone are the days of clean, list, sell.  Seek professional help.

o       Analyze current comparables Know what is selling, for how much, and take a gander at their MLS photos.  Finally, adjust the listing accordingly.

o       Revamp the home's online presence.  MLS pictures produce showings.  Photos should be of good quality, flattering angles and current (no summer photos in the winter).

 •   Diversify the Marketing Strategy

o       Maximize social media avenues: Active Rain, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc.

o       Shot videos of the benefits of the neighborhood, upload them on You Tube and share.

o       Use TV ads, Caravans, updated flyers.

•   Give a buyer a bang for their buck - Even on a limited budget

o       If another price reduction seems redundant, consider professional home staging.  It usually costs much less than a price reduction and could be the drastic change your listing needs.

o       Energize up the curb appeal.  Use seasonal colors.  Bear in mind this does not have to break the bank.  Be creative.

o       Try buyer incentives.  Builders frequently use this strategy, see if it works for you.

 •  Most importantly be positive, flexible and pro-active.

 Please share your creative tips on weathering today's market.

Posted by

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Atlanta Home Staging Professional

Stage It Atlanta, LLC

www.stageitatatlanta.com

We create a buyer's dream...

Comments (5)

Wanda Thomas
Montana Homestead Brokers, Broker, CRS, GRI, SFR, RN - Billings, MT
Billings Montana Real Estate

Very good points about today's market strategies Janine.  "Stop selling the competition"  is so true, I don't think many people understand this when they're selling.  Buyers understand perfectly.

Sep 14, 2010 04:50 AM
Daniel J. Hansmeier
Rochester, MN

I'm excited about working my Builders Model because they get it. They know what sells. The Model was professionally cleaned yesterday and landscaping and sod tomorrow for the Fall Showcase this weekend. Last but not least it is being staged today. It has great curb appeal and priced right.

Sep 14, 2010 04:58 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Janine- great post and love your points, especially stop selling the competition and revamp the home's online presence.  There are so many MLS pics that just scream "Stage Me!"

Sep 14, 2010 05:15 AM
Janine Bell
Stage It Atlanta - Atlanta, GA
Home Stager - Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Wanda - The game has changed and we are charged with the responsiblity of educating sellers. 

Go Daniel Go!  Seller/Builders that are aware of the recipe for a sale lower the stress of the selling process.

Kathy - I too get the "Please Stage Me!" memo.  As a stager I always see the potential of a home and wish I could polish them all into a a great show home.

Sep 14, 2010 06:11 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Great points Janine! You have to get it done right before it is listed so that it IS the Competition...

Sep 14, 2010 02:19 PM