"Friggatriskaidekaphobia and The Art of Selling Houses" Musings on Friday - 7/13/2012
Do you suffer from "friggatriskaidekaphobia?" Sounds just a little bit naughty doesn't it? Don't worry, it's not. The fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia. Basically, today is the day when superstitious folks worry about everything and avoid any behavior that could put them at risk. And in spite of our contemporary lives, superstitions abound in our daily lifestyles - even when it comes to real estate.
The term superstition is thought to derive from the Latin superstitio, meaning "to stand over in awe." Many superstitious beliefs date back many centuries and have some basis in history. For example, my Italian father in law used to throw salt over his shoulder after spilling salt. The origin of this messy (someone has to clean it up ) ritual comes from biblical times. One explanation refers to Lott's wife who looked back yearningly on Sodom when being led to a more moral place. An angry God, furious with her lack of morality, turned her into a pillar of salt. Ouch! That's going to leave a
mark.
OK, so maybe I do have a few rituals myself, like saying "God bless you" when someone sneezes. Or knocking on wood for good luck. And yes, I always walk around a ladder, never under it. Some might even consider my use of feng shui as a bit "woo woo".
In the world of Real Estate, there are superstisions surrounding the Art of Selling Houses.
There's a St. Joseph kit for house sellers - really. Apparently, if you bury the statue of the Saint upside down in your yard, read a prayer related to getting the house sold, it will sell. Cool beans, and there are a few sellers who say it works. No doubt the logical person would attribute the sale to unrelated causes, or the optimist would claim it was the power of positive thinking.
However, most of the time getting a house sold is all about the price and the condition. If the house shows well, if it's in good or better condition compared to the competition, and is priced right, it will sell. There's no luck involved in that. But it is also important to have the right Realtor®. One who is not afraid to tell you to fix those broken steps or power wash the moss off the deck. Or remind you to clear the living room of all those personal relics so buyers can see themselves in the home. One who will show you what similar houses are selling for, and price yours accordingly.
So, Happy Friggatriskaidekaphobia, it's Friday, July 13, 2012, and remember if you need to sell a house in Clark County, Washington, you know who to call.
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