Listing homes these days is quite a challenge with the current market conditions, the ever-increasing inventory, the very optimistic buyers :-), and the all-too-stressed seller. Many Sellers have had experiences in the past where their homes only took 2-3 weeks to sell but those days are on hold right now and what worked in the past in getting the home sold now requires more attention than ever. When the home goes on the market, it simply has to say "WOW" when the buyer walks in the door and not "this will need WORK." Trust me, the extra time or dollars spent repairing and staging is truly cutting the days on market. We have had Sellers willing to make the needed changes to take an average, nice home to the next level. We recently had a home in Cary, NC go under contract in 5 days! The Sellers worked down the list, made the recommended changes, and even replaced the driveway that was an eye sore. Their work paid off and they WOWed their buyer! On closing day, they felt WOWed too that it didn't take 30, 60, 90 days on the market for them to pursue their new dream home. So...encourage your Sellers to WOW up their homes and WOW their buyers!
Many homes say work and the buyers walk away because they do not want to work.
You are right! With both parents usually working, kids in sports, and dozens of responsibilities vying for our time, who wants to even paint these days!!
Linda I just relisted a home that another agent in my office had. I went over and went through the home and gave the homeowner a list of projects (mainly decluttering) to do. She had them done and then some. So I took my photographer over and we took all new pictures and we now have a WOW instead of what?
Linda - It really cuts down on Days on the Market when the house says WOW. I find buyers now do not want to do repair work. They want to move in and enjoy their new home.
Hi Linda, A WOW home will go for a higher price than a home that needs work.
Hi Linda. Your blog attracted my attention because I recently sold my friend's home here in Monmouth County, NJ and she and her family moved back to Cary. She often commented that her house hunting experience in NC was much more pleasurable since most homes there were staged to perfection with dining tables completely set! Of course, she did the same when we marketed her home and she had multiple offers within the first week! I count myself fortunate when my sellers can at least keep their house clean and decluttered. Sometimes, the to do list I come up with is so extensive that the homeowner needs to reflect the home's shortcomings in the price. Although we can make recommendations, realistically, some sellers just can't afford the money or time to do what is necessary for their house to show as well as or better than their competitors for that WOW factor. So, again, it all comes down to right pricing.
Thanks Linda for confirming what I know to be true. Work it, work it. This market is not for the faint hearted. Best, sandy
Even if you can't get your seller to "WOW" the home, if you just eliminate the work part, that sometimes gets things moving. It's amazing how many sellers out there think their clutter and their junk will attract buyers.
Great advice. Most people cannot see the potential in a home that is cluttered.
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