Sellers, Do You Really Think Atlanta Home Buyers are Stupid?

Sellers, Do You Really Think Atlanta Home Buyers are Stupid?

Tim Francis Realty is working with a couple buyers this January 2011.  We’ve been out showing properties to them.  Invariably, with our automated listings reports, new listings will come up in a neighborhood we’ve been watching out for.  So, we added the new listing for $449k to our showing list and showed it. 

Prior to showing this listing, we’ve shown two other homes in the neighborhood that were both very similar sizes &; amenities, in fabulous condition, newer appliances and priced well at $379k and $399k at this point.  Both of these homes were clean, appeared to be well maintained and showed well.  One backed up to a church parking lot and the other had a lovely big flat backyard at the $399k. 

We pull up to the new listing, eager to see if it’s what will meet our buyer’s needs.  First impression is the bushes are a bit overgrown and the grass has a lot of weeds in it.  We get out of the car, and start up the walk.  At this point, we see wood rot, paint chipping and just not a tidy impression. 

We open the door and enter.  At this point, we’ve got a poorly prepared property – furniture is mish mash or non-existent.   We enter the kitchen and it’s just dirty and disgusting.  Dishes in the sink, messy countertops, something has spilled on the white blinds like coffee and no one ever cleaned them.  We notice this, as all the blinds are closed, so we try to open to see the backyard view. 

 Now, we can see the deck with peeling paint, more wood rot and an unkempt backyard- leaves and branches down.  In the kitchen there’s a 20 year old refrigerator and very old appliances.  We look a little more and my clients at this point say, we don’t need to even go upstairs.  There is NO WAY we would consider this house over the other two in the neighborhood; this Seller is in LA LA Land.  

Most home buyers who are interested in a neighborhood or school district will check out the competition of other active homes for sale.  If you are in worse condition, with fewer amenities, why the heck do you think buyers will pay more for your property?  Hint: The answer is NOT because you want them to!

Agents, when you ask me for feedback and you are not in a logical price point for your listing in the neighborhood, be prepared for some honest and harsh information! 

Sellers Do You Really Think Atlanta Home Buyers are Stupid?