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What happens if the Seller can not make any repairs before Listing?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Godzyk Real Estate Services NH License 033394

A Home Seller was having a real breakdown as they did not have the funds to make some repairs and did not have the ability to fix the items themselves. They felt really beaten up by local agents who came down hard on them, put them down and made them feel uncomfortable. The elderly home Owner needs to move to a home with single floor living. They do not owe anything on the home. Their kids do not live in the area. They did have the luck to have a friend whose home I sold last year.

 

Every where you search for tips on selling your home, it tells you to make the repairs before you list. What is one to do when they have no ability to make these repairs?

 

 

You can search for Manchester area Homes For Sale by clicking here. what is for sale by clicking here.

 


The most common answers from local agents to this home owner was to slash the price. Yes indeed price cures all damage and needed repairs however no agent had stood up to actually help this home owner. Under no circumstance should a seller be made to feel bad that they can not make their home back to like new.

 

I went through the home and made my own list and my own observations. Many of the items I saw were cosmetic. A loose screen door. A hand rail that was loose. scraped walls from the walker going up and down the hallway. Older appliance but operational. Worn carpets.

 

But in the darkness I opened the blinds and let the light shine in from the newer windows. The house was sided 5 years ago and the furnace which they said needed replacement was only 7 years old. It is not the whole furnace that needs replacing, but the fan is hitting the side.

 

I made a list of realistic repair costs and they were all minimal. There was no reason to slash the value. I went out to my car to get me drill and within minutes tightened the screen door and hand rails. You would have thought i gave them a million dollars they were so happy. I showed them the comps of what other neighborhood homes had sold for. I deducted for paint and carpets and came up with an as is value. A good buyer will love the new and major improvements and love the savings by painting and having new flooring installed.

 

 I share this story as a lesson that your choice in Listing Agents does matter. I have put together a simple recipe for both Home buyers and those who need help to get your home sold. Follow this along with pricing your home right, and the result can be a SOLD SIGN in your front yard.

 

 

THE TOP TIPS TO FIND A "GREAT" REAL ESTATE AGENT

 

 1. LEARN THIS ONE FACT: One should know that All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest Agent or Company. It is important to Hire the BEST Agent. In NH that could be me.   

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT AGENT: As a Buyer OR Seller in this market you need every advantage you can to get your home sold. It starts with choosing the right agent. a. Ask for a Full time agent whose sole job is to sell homes. b. Ask for a Full service agent who will guide you through each step of the selling process. Discount brokers often equal discount services. c. Ask for a Local agent who knows your neighborhood and is readily available when you need them is a must. Out of town agents can leave you high and dry in your time of need. d. Ask for a well experienced Listing Agent can give you the advantages you need when selling your home. Not all agents are created equal. Choose only the best.  

 3. HOME BUYERS SHOULD START BY:  Getting a FREE PRE-QUALIFICATION with a local and trusted lender. They will look at your credit and financial picture and let you know what type of mortgage you may qualify for and what your interest rate and monthly payment may be.   

4. HOME SELLERS SHOULD START BYGetting a FREE MARKET ANALYSIS. Learn what your property is worth in today's market along with how ling it may take to sell. If you are ready to sell now, learn what you should ask for it. How much offers may come in at and what the approximate selling price should be. NH Home owners should contact me now.   

 

 

IN SUMMARY the key to having a successful purchase or sale can increase simply choosing a better agent. The secret is that All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest. I leave you with now infamous philosophy, which is simple, to provide more personal and professional service to guide my clients through each step of the buying or selling process.

 

 

It does not take magic to turn your "For Sale" sign into a "Sold" sign. it takes a full time Local Agent who specializes in Listing homes like yours.


If you are thinking of buying a Home please contact us. Get a free pre-qualification along with some of the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE through each step of the Buying Prices.

 

 

WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE THROUGHOUT EACH STEP OF THE LISTING AND SELLING PROCESS!!!

 

If you need to sell your home and you owe more than your house is worth, i may be able to help. I specialize in working with home owners to get your home sold. There are many options such as a short sale which may be able to help you.

Please try and avoid out of state or out of town agents and companies that make "out of this world promises". We are local agents with experience who never charge any up front fees.

 

 

 

We are local agents with experience who GET RESULTS!!!

 

We stand by you through every step in selling your home.

 

Another reason that makes New Hampshire a great place to Live, Work and Play.

 

  • About the Author: Scott Godzyk is the Owner/Broker of the Godzyk Real Estate Services in Manchester NH. With 28 years of experience, Scott is a leading Agent for Listing and Selling Homes in this area. To CONTACT Scott Godzyk please call 603.661.2121 or EMAIL: Sctprop@aol.com . We are Full Time Agents ready to serve all of your Real Estate needs through each step of the buying and Selling process. We are proud to be locally owned and operated.

Comments (12)

Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is a good story to share. It is also good to have a contractor that will wait until settlement to be paid.

May 06, 2014 11:34 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

You did the right thing for your clients Scott, most would not.  Kudos to you.

May 06, 2014 11:35 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Larry has done the same many times Scott. He just fixed a leaky faucet in the home of a new client that the previous Realtor told her needed to be replaced...

May 06, 2014 11:43 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Scott- thank you for your going beyond the "slash your price" advice.  Some of the best agents I know have gone in to help with the things they could do and take the time to show the sellers the whys of what they were doing and how they were pricing the home. 

Featured in Bananatude

May 06, 2014 11:55 PM
Pat McCormick
Long and Foster Manassas - Manassas, VA

Scott - What a great story.  These people will definitely remember you when their friends and relatives need an agent!

 

May 07, 2014 12:53 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Interesting point Scott, all they can do it give a credit at closing.

May 07, 2014 01:36 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Scott - There's always a way where there is an agent willing to take the time and trouble to care. Nice job, as always.

May 07, 2014 07:13 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Scott, I too make small adjustments for sellers or tell them how to fix things. That is an added service they appreciate.

May 07, 2014 01:12 PM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Great work, Scott. I'm so glad to know someone like you. 

May 07, 2014 02:49 PM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Scott, you care and share in peoples lives in ways that make a difference. Thank you.

May 07, 2014 09:16 PM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Scott I too in the past made an adjustment here or there on a property.  However there is a liabilty not being a licensed contractor or homeowner to do anything, however minor, in case it causes other problems.   Always making sure you have permission before you touch anything is important and having it in writing with a release of liability should be considered as well.

May 07, 2014 11:12 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Roy I do have a couple of those I have used in the past and are willing to wait to get paid at closing. It does work well on those repairs that NEED to be done before they can sell or close.

May 07, 2014 11:19 PM