Sellers Are You Ready For Showings?  If Not, You Are Definitely Not On Target!

I was at the Target Store in Alhambra, Ca over the weekend.  It was busy and the weekend is certainly a time I typically avoid.   Anyway, I was there and I knew the store is undergoing a fairly major renovation.  As I understand, it was to be a second floor addition but that has been scaled back.  The store was a mess!  Merchandise has obviously been cut back.   Shelves empty.   Staff seemingly lost.   

I found what I needed and left and as I was leaving the parking lot and turning onto Main Street, there was the sign and I thought about real estate.

are you on target to sell your home

 

The sign:  Open during remodel.  Okay for retail.  How about real estate?

Can you imagine if that was the message we said to our potential buyers looking for their new home?

Sure, come on in --- the kitchen is half finished, the powder room will soon be a full bath and that small bedroom is almost ready to be the walk-in closet and luxurious bath that opens to the new master suite.

I hope that is NOT the manner you want your home to be introduced to a homebuyer in today's market?

But are you subtly sending a similar message?   Are you really ready to greet homebuyers?

They say the average retail shopper may visit a store a couple of times a week.  Will a homebuyer visit your home multiple times in a week?  I don't think so.  You typically have only one opportunity to make a first impression.  Be on target and be ready for a sale everyday from the start.

be on target to sell your home

 

Michael Jacobs is a Realtor who serves the Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley as well as the northeast foothill communities within the city of Los Angeles.  He can be reached at 818.516.4393 cell or michaeljacobs@coldwellbanker.com

Sellers Are You Ready For Showings?  If Not, You Are Definitely Not On Target!

 

 

 

 

Michael Jacobs

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

DRE # 01165532

2065 Huntington Drive

San Marino, California 91108

Cellular:  818.516.4393

Office:  626.685.5246

Office Fax:  626.568.9507

michaeljacobs@coldwellbanker.com

www.camoves.com/michael.jacobs

 

 

 
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13 Comments on Sellers Are You Ready For Showings? If Not, You Are Definitely Not On Target

AUG
16
2011
508,343 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Thank you for sharing this. I hope someone finds exactly what they're looking for here.
11:51pm • #1
AUG
17
2011
466,170 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Michael, that's funny. I can imagine telling the buyer to use "their imagination." That usually doesn't fly very well.
12:49am • #2
589,060 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Rob -- thanks for your comment and for stopping by my post.

Pamela -- exactly.   If things are even a bit askew, buyers will start deducting from the list price.  If a home is not in show ready condition from the start, sellers are doing themselves a real disservice.  
4:30am • #3
985,603 Points 80 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

You're right on "target" with this post Michael..........we don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
6:01am • #4
589,060 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Yes, Roger --- it's best to get it right from the very start.  
6:16am • #5
1,518,332 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Starting with the best possible first impression of the home is critical to selling a home quickly in our business.  This would never fly in real estate.
10:48am • #6
589,060 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Chris Ann -- as we all know, there are certain properties that are "not ready for prime time".  If only the sellers knew they may be helping to sell another property as buyers are constantly comparing homes.   I have had clients write notes about homes as they are touring --- ugly green carpeting, kitchen cabinet doors missing, etc.   
1:56pm • #7
695,884 Points 39 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Michael - Why anyone would want to start showind a home for sale before it's ready has never been a wise idea. First impressions are the most important "wow" factor availabe to the seller... Just my two cents..
2:15pm • #8
589,060 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Lisa and Robert -- you are correct about creating as much of a "WOW" factor as possible.  I believe your two cents would pay off handsomely to sellers who listen to you.  
2:35pm • #9
AUG
18
2011
1,057,134 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Very interesting analogy. However, I actually have seen some properties around here that were "for sale during construction" and "for sale during renovation." 
7:00pm • #10
589,060 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jim --- if you mean homes "under construction" I understand -- but homes for sale during consrtuction or renovation my opinion is this is a very bad idea for sellers to consider.  Most buyers I know would immediately discount the listing price.
10:18pm • #11
AUG
21
2011
511,432 Points 12 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Michael, Jim's comment is great, but in our market you only get one shot.  My motto is let them in, regardless of the dishes in the sink, the dog just barfed and you had to clean it up in a minute and vamoose....just get them in the door.  But, try to keep the house as clean as possible as often as possible.
10:06pm • #12
589,060 Points 58 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Don, thanks for your comment but I'll stand by "be prepared to the best of your ability".  If you cannot be ready on an everyday basis, I might suggest waiting until you are truly ready to be on the market for sale.  If not, you are probably due for a rough road ahead in a typical market.  Of course, if it is a true sellers market, all bets are off -- as we evidenced people standing in line in front of open house events waiting for the first day of showing.  Sellers today have to be realistic.   
10:30pm • #13


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Michael Jacobs, Pasadena CA/SanGabriel Valley Realtor, 818.516.4393 cell

Pasadena, CA

More about me…

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

Address: 2065 Huntington Drive, San Marino, CA, 91108

Office Phone: (626) 685-5246

Cell Phone: (818) 516-4393

Email Me

Your source for real estate representation in the San Gabriel Valley and northeast communities of the city of Los Angeles including: Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Temple City, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Bradbury, Azusa, Glendora, Claremont, Glendale and La Canada Flintridge as well as Highland Park, Monterey Hills, Eagle Rock, Mt Washington, Montecito Heights, Glassell Park and Sagamore Park.


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