Kathy Riggs June 28th, 2009
The sign is up. Your house is listed on various websites and the buyers have started coming.
After a few showings, you’ll probably be anxious to hear feedback from your real estate agent.
Remember when we started this journey from the seller’s viewpoint? I said, when your house is on the market it becomes a product and it must compete. Don’t let emotion cloud the feedback. You will hear positive and negative comments about your house. Take the negative comments constructively if they point out something you can do to improve the presentation; and don’t be offended if some buyer doesn’t like the floor plan. Not everyone wants all the bedrooms at one end of the house or living/dining room combination. If we had the same taste, all homes would look like row houses where we can’t tell one from another. Two showings in the same weekend can produce entirely different reactions. Ask your Realtor for honest feedback and remember the basics. – open drapes and turn on lights to create a warm atmosphere and keep clutter to a minimum. After reasonable market exposure, if feedback focuses on one aspect that makes buyers select another home, it may be time for a price reduction. That’s when it’s time to have a talk with your Realtor. Every market is different and your Realtor is in the field every day. They have a better handle on what buyers expect.
on the lighter side
Sign next to FSBO: We shoot every third agent and the 2nd one just left.
SHAMELESS PLUG
2619 Plantation Circle has just been reduced to $169,500. Call me for details at 252-939-2432 or email me at kriggs@kathyriggs.com
Kathy Riggs June 21st, 2009
I hope you are continuing to enjoy the ride to the closing table with the seller. We’ve talked about preparing your home to make a great impression and now it’s time to take a look at the things you can’t see from the curb.
When was the last time you took a look at your crawl space or a good look at the attic?
If you have been in your home for more than 10 years when it goes on the market, chances are a pre-listing inspection will be a good investment. After your house is under contract, the buyer will have the option of having a home inspection. You will be better prepared if you know what to expect and a pre-listing inspection can alert you to issues that will need to be addressed.
Remember, regardless of the contract price, the buyer will expect everything to be working properly. Think of it as purchasing a used car – you won’t pay the same price as if the car is new, but you expect the engine, the brakes and the heating and air conditioning not to be in need of immediate repair. Same as with houses, the buyer is not going to want to purchase a home with a lots of defects, so a seller is wise to have a professional check the foundation, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. If problems are uncovered, the seller can take steps to repair them or at least be aware of issues that may need to be addressed before closing.
Although a pre-listing inspection is not required, it can save a lot of headache and unpleasant surprises in the process. Your home may look in “move-in condition”, but as a seller, you should take a look at the things you don’t see in your daily routine.
on the lighter side
Salesman: This computer will cut your workload by 50%.
Office Manager: That’s great, I’ll take two of them.
SHAMELESS PLUG
First time buyers have until November 30, 2009 to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit. However, it’s taking longer to close loans, so you need to be house hunting now. Call me for details at 252-939-2432 or email me at kriggs@kathyriggs.com