Scratch and Dent condition attracts Scratch and Dent offers

I have been using(edited to insert link) Fran White's Phrase "Scratch and Dent condition attracts Scratch and Dent offers" when submiting feedback to agents about their listings. It has generated a lot of feedback from the listing agents who call and ask me to make a list of all the items my client would want fixed and to wrap that into the offer. One in particular was on a "new" home which was finished in 2005 but has never sold. The back yard has standing water 1-2" deep in the swale. The back yard is 90% weeds. The house is settling as expected, and some drywall repairs are started but not finished. The caulking on the outside is incomplete, and a dozen other things. The listing agent said the builder is not interested in putting any more money into the house until he has an offer on it. Why would I believe that a builder would finish the home in a good workman like manner with a contract when he is presenting the home as "finished" in its current condition? That one is especially frustrating to me as I invested nine years of my life in new home sales. New homes bring premium prices, but only if they are in premium condition. What is so hard to understand about keeping your product, the house, in a well presented condition so that someone would be interested in parting with $200,000 to own it. Why would I or anyone else want to pay a premium price when the first thing the buyer would have to do is make a list of all the work that still needs to be done? I wouldn't and neither would my client. The builder can either listen or hold onto the house. He has made the decision to own the home at the current price and condition. Until he either changes the price and or the condition, I believe he will continue to be the one to own the home - unless the bank steps in. Grumble grumble grumble.

Home Staging anyone?

updated July 28, 2009 for staging information link and my contact information

http://www.kansascityrealestate411.com/What-is-staging-and-why-do-I-need-it.asp is

Ken Jansen REALTOR Broker Associate Keller Williams Realty Partners, Inc.

11005 Metcalf Ave

Overland Park, KS 66210

Ken@KenJansenSellsHomes.Com http://www.kansascityrealestate411.com