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What is the #1 way to increase home value that does not cost anything?

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

A seller was in full panic mode. I met with them about 3 months ago, but they listed with a national name as they said "they would have more buyers." Here we are over 3 months later and that house has not sold. The Listing Agent of that home called me. They want to know what my ideas were to increase the value of the home so it will sell...

 

Wait? What? Why are you calling me? The agent said the seller told them I had some great ideas to sell their home. That they have not been able to sell it and the seller is pressuring them as they needed a quick sale.

 

I apologized but could not provide what they are looking for as it was not my listing. Another week went by and the listing expired. The seller called and was mad I would not help. I politely let them know they did not hire me, they wanted a big name. That the agent they chose does not work for me so i can not provide guidance to them. I Can though sell their home if they are ready to do it right?

 

I went there to meet them and walk through the home. Let me set the scene, the grass is good 9 inches high. The home was a mess. Clothes, food wrappers and dirty carpets. The screen on one window blew with wind. As i walked through the seller said they have no money as they are not working, so do not ask them to fix anything.

 

I pondered if I wanted this listing now. It was much worse than when i viewed it some months ago.

 

Have you the reader come up with your TOP idea to add value that costs zero money?

 

I let this seller know that if they want to sell this home, they need to cut the grass. Take the Halloween decoration off the side door. Pick up all debris, throw away the pizza boxes. Pic up the laundry. Wash the dishes and wipe down the counters. Vacuum. Get rid of the massive amount of storage totes and banish them to the basement or garage.

 

They both stood mouth open with the husband looking at the wife, "you better get going.' where she replied "you better get helping."

 

They looked at me asking who should do the work? I put on my councilor hat and told them both. If they want me to list they need to work with me. It was a straight forward talk but the only way this house would sell. The other agent did not "tell it like it is" and wasted 4 months. I do not waste time. I do not just list homes. I SELL THEM.

 

 

 

 

 

THE SECRET OF SUCCESS and the key to having a successful purchase of sale, can increase simply by 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.

 

    

                                 

 

To CONTACT Scott Godzyk please call 603.661.2121 or EMAIL: Sctprop@aol.com .

 

About the Author: Scott Godzyk is the Owner/Broker of the Godzyk Real Estate Services in Manchester NH. Proud to be locally owned and operated with 30 years of experience, Scott is a leading Agent for Listing and Selling Homes in this area.We are Full Time Agents ready to serve all of your Real Estate needs. Servicing Hillsborough, Rockingham, Merrimack and Belknap counties. 

 

 

We stand by you through every step in selling your home
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Comments(21)

William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I would have done the same thing when they called. Just clean up the place..that is worththousands

Jun 06, 2017 07:34 AM
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Wow.  Once again I love your stories and you do a great job telling the sellers not what they want to hear but what they need to hear to get the home sold.  -Kasey

Jun 06, 2017 08:50 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

Good for you.  They needed to hear the plain hard truth and you delivered it.  It will be interesting to see if they heed your words.

Featured in BananaTude!

Jun 06, 2017 09:34 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

It can be amazing how a clean-up job can work a small miracle when it comes to marketing homes.

Jun 06, 2017 09:38 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Scott, for sharing this story.

Some home sellers are clueless and need strong direction from their agent.

Jun 06, 2017 09:49 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

National name or not, nothing matters if the home is not show-ready and has bad curb appeal.

Jun 06, 2017 12:28 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

If someone doesn't get their home ready for market, what do they expect?  At least you told them their condition issues.

Jun 06, 2017 12:31 PM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Scott - I'm always amazed when people can't see what's clearly right in front of their eyes. That was good advice, and I hope they follow it for you.

Jun 06, 2017 02:02 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

If I had not seen it before, i would never guess it to be true, but yes, many can not see what it is front of them Dick Greenberg , thanks for the comment

Jun 06, 2017 04:22 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

They truly did not know Chris Ann Cleland and i believe it is the listing agents job to tell a seller what needs to be done. Although most often subtle and ginger, this situation needed it said like it was

Jun 06, 2017 04:23 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

That is true Nina Hollander , a home has to be ready to show. My only thought is when sellers do not knwo what needs to be done, the listing agent needs to tell them. In this case it had to be more straight talk than being soft

Jun 06, 2017 04:24 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Thank you Roy, i was happy they did listen and we had a real conversation to get solutions to the problems we faced

Jun 06, 2017 04:25 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It is already like a new home, they still have a ways to go but cleaning is the first step Myrl Jeffcoat 

Jun 06, 2017 04:25 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Thank you for the honor Belinda Spillman . Ye sin this case it was some straight talk and they listened

Jun 06, 2017 04:26 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

They needed to hear it like it was Kasey & John Boles , i told them i sell homes and to that we have to work together. Most often i would be a lot more softer in the approach, but this was a tough cookie to get through too. 

Jun 06, 2017 04:27 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It sure is William Feela  . It was a long talk but went well in the end

Jun 06, 2017 04:29 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I sure hope so Kristin Johnston - REALTOR® , thanks for the comment

Jun 06, 2017 04:32 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

LOL I don't just list homes I SELL homes - that's my line!  Good one Scott!

Jun 06, 2017 05:43 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Scott- it's such a shame that some sellers lose weeks and months or more because they don't have the best agent to represent them. 

Jun 06, 2017 06:02 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

What were they thinking? Thank goodness they called in Scott Godzyk because not every agent can sell your home you need the right agent.

Jun 09, 2017 05:24 AM