trying to sell house = so frustrated

[disneyde]

MyZoeJane.......just PM and I'll look at the link and give you my opinions

 

[fiveforall]

I think you need to relax a bit. Stop thinking about the house every minute and the cleaning. If you have already done the main stuff, then I suggest you make a checklist of things that have to be done every day. You don't have to have your home in show condition every day unless you have a showing.

I second this! I also have three small kids and when we were selling our house, I thought I would go insane!After about four months of no bites, one day I said to heck with it and left the house without cleaning the kitchen or making beds. That night I got a call from our realtor...someone showed our messy house and we had a buyer!!!!

Best wishes to you. You'll get through this, but for now, I feel your pain!

 

[Gillian]

I think most buyers understand little messes. I think what appeals the most (despite what stagers say), is a house in good condition. One that doesn't need a lot of repairs or new carpet just to be livable. I've shown a lot of houses, and lots of the stuff they tell you doesn't matter as much as getting out clutter and having things in good shape.

If your not getting showings, it is probably the price, the location or just the market.

I'd be happy to look at your MLS profile also, if you want to PM me something. If it's on realtor.com, I don't see why you couldn't post that.

 

[me again]

Obviously the inside condition of your home doesn't matter if you're not getting anyone inside to look!

I've found the agent usually is the problem. If you're convinced the price is right for the area and know its listed properly, usually the agent is the pacing item.

Like I posted earlier, you really should get someone to call your agent about your property, see how he responds. Does he seem enthusiastic about it, or try to steer the "buyer" to another peoperty? Also, try to get someone to call the agent asking about houses fitting your general description in your area, see if he recommends your property.

Oftentimes the agent has other properties that are a higher price/comission so its more in his best interest to push those, he'll leave the lower priced ones for "off season". Believe me, I've been horsed around by agents!

It will take some cloak-and-dagger manuevers to do so, get a trusted friend or family member, make up some story about relocating, etc., but you won't be the first one to have shopped their agent. You might be surprised at the way you're being represented.

 

[me again]

What drove me nuts about trying to sell a house while living there was the agents who would just show up with a buyer with no appointment. we did have a note in the listing to make an appointment, but they would just call from the driveway--we're here, can we show your house? Like I could show it to any advantage with 30 seconds notice!

Even worse was the agents who didn't even do that--just use the lockbox key and walk right in without even knocking! I got fed up the time I came out of the shower to a group standing in my bedroom, looking shocked at me like I shouldn't be naked in my own home. After that I installed an inside chain on the door so it couldn't be opened while we were at home. I also fired that agent--told her she couldn't possibly show a home to her advantage or mine by just dropping in whenever. If someone's interested they will wait for an appointment, you don't just walk on in whenever!


Well, always remember the agent is working for you, keep that relationship in its place. Good luck!

 

[MyZoeJane]

I think most buyers understand little messes. I think what appeals the most (despite what stagers say), is a house in good condition. One that doesn't need a lot of repairs or new carpet just to be livable. I've shown a lot of houses, and lots of the stuff they tell you doesn't matter as much as getting out clutter and having things in good shape.

If your not getting showings, it is probably the price, the location or just the market.

I'd be happy to look at your MLS profile also, if you want to PM me something. If it's on realtor.com, I don't see why you couldn't post that.

I'll post a link and if there's a problemI am sure it will be taken down. It's not like I am trying to sell my house here!

www.1135cermak.com

Hit me with your best shots. I think this website stinks and the photos DH took are not very flattering, but you can get the gidt of what we're working with. Unfortunately, he chose not to put photos of the bedrooms up because they are very small. My argument was it seems like we are trying to hide something by not including photos of every room.

We have a guy coming to look tomorrow morning and I am about to get to work on clearing even MORE stuff out. I've got three huge bins out... one for DD to put toys in (which were in her closet before), one for the bathroom to get everything out of the closet except for the barest essentials, and one for cupboards in the kitchen. Too much in those cabinets, too.

 

[me again]

Your home is lovely! I can't understand why its not attracting the attention it deserves.

One thing stood out to me, however, just two bedrooms? Maybe that's why its not being shown. Most people screen by criteria, like number of bedroom, bath, etc., probably its just not coming up on MLS searches.

You need to explain the studio apt a bit more. A studio apt sounds like a nice feature, but could you somehow list it as a third bedroom? Is there a bathroom in the studio? Maybe you could list it as studio apt, 3rd bedroom 3rd bath? That way it would come up on an MLS search as 3 bedrooms.

In my experience, most people want at least 3 bedrooms, but seems your home has what many would be looking for, just need to get it listed right. Good luck

 

[me again]

Ok just saw that its listed as 2 bedrooms on the top part of the ad, then says 3 bedrooms further down. You should change that to 3 bedrooms on the top part, too, and make sure its listed that way in MLS so it comes up on a 3 bedroom search.

 

[Kay1]

Ok just saw that its listed as 2 bedrooms on the top part of the ad, then says 3 bedrooms further down. You should change that to 3 bedrooms on the top part, too, and make sure its listed that way in MLS so it comes up on a 3 bedroom search.

That's what I thought. If it is two bedrooms the price might be too high, though I know nothing about the area.

 

[disykat]

Would I get in trouble if I posted a link to our house website for you to look at? I'll take ANYONE'S opinions on this shack we're trying to sell!

You have a really weird idea of what the word "shack" means! I think that house looks beautiful. Pictures of at least one bedroom and the basement apartment should be included.

 

[ccoop]

This may sound crazy ( and I thought it was ) but my sister was trying to sell her house for about 3 months. A friend was telling us to use citrus and how the smell makes people want to buy. Well she tried at the next open house and had 3 offers. The house sold for 10,000.00 more then asking price. I thought it was crzy but it worked for her and others too. Give it a try, you have nothing to lose. Good Luck!!!! By the way I am staying away from any store that has a citrus smell when I walk in!!!

 

[shamrock30]

What drove me nuts about trying to sell a house while living there was the agents who would just show up with a buyer with no appointment. we did have a note in the listing to make an appointment, but they would just call from the driveway--we're here, can we show your house? Like I could show it to any advantage with 30 seconds notice!

Even worse was the agents who didn't even do that--just use the lockbox key and walk right in without even knocking! I got fed up the time I came out of the shower to a group standing in my bedroom, looking shocked at me like I shouldn't be naked in my own home. After that I installed an inside chain on the door so it couldn't be opened while we were at home. I also fired that agent--told her she couldn't possibly show a home to her advantage or mine by just dropping in whenever. If someone's interested they will wait for an appointment, you don't just walk on in whenever!

Well, always remember the agent is working for you, keep that relationship in its place. Good luck!

I totally agree with this. When we were selling our house, I insisted that the realtor give me the code to the lockbox. I then took the key out so no one could "pop in" without notice. If they gave the notice I required (I just asked for one hour) then I would tidy up, put the key in the lockbox, and leave.

Our house sold very quickly by the way, so I don't think my requirement hurt us at all.

 

[MyZoeJane]

You have a really weird idea of what the word "shack" means! I think that house looks beautiful. Pictures of at least one bedroom and the basement apartment should be included.

Okay, so it's not a SHACK... But it is a tiny little house and it needs work. The outside needs painting as it is peeling in places... the living room is WOOD PANELING and the bedrooms are TINY...

The downstairs is half unfinished basement, half studio apartment. Yes, it does have a seperate bathroom and kitchenette down there. Nothing spectacular but it's clean and neutral.

The thing is this... the house is OLD.... We are talking almost 80 years OLD. We are on prime property for the area, double lot, one block from the riverfront, with river access rights. This house is priced CHEAP.

The thing is... people don't want old houses. I NEED to paint the paneling in the living room. I don't mind it so much, as I am a bookish type who likes the rustic feel... but it ain't trendy, that's for sure!

Also, the second bedroom upstairs is lavender. My daughter picked it out and I need to get that back to neutral, too. You're all right about listing as three bedrooms. I didn't realize DH had it that way. He is NOT listed in MLS, either. He INSISTS it's going to be a piece of cake to sell on his own but to pacify me, he promised that if there are no offers by July 1st, he will go with an agent. He's just DUMB when it comes to this stuff and does NOT want to hear a THING that I have to say because HE took Real Estate classes for kicks last year.

I think we should have a couple of agents walk through and give us opinions. Does he do it? Nope! I think we need to have it inspected up front so we can give answers.... has it been done? Nope!

So I am going to take my DD, my DB, and my DM to Disney World on Sunday and hope that the darned place is sold by the time we get back!

We are buying DH's parents' house.... for a STEAL of a price. It's a GORGEOUS 4 bedroom home and I'll have room for all the bookshelves my little heart desires....

Thanks for the feedback! Sorry, OP, for the hijack... I am just commiserating with you and maybe feedback onmy house could possibly applyto you, too.

 

[me again]

I totally agree with this. When we were selling our house, I insisted that the realtor give me the code to the lockbox. I then took the key out so no one could "pop in" without notice. If they gave the notice I required (I just asked for one hour) then I would tidy up, put the key in the lockbox, and leave.

Our house sold very quickly by the way, so I don't think my requirement hurt us at all.

Well, hey, never thought of that, asking for the code so we could take the key out of the lock box. I've sold many properties, thought I knew all the tricks, glad to learn something new.

After all, its still our property while listed, we should have a right to who has access to it, especially while we're in it! I still would go with my suggestion to install an inside bolt or chain, easier than messing with the lockbox, there are times you just don't need "visitors". If they're serious, they'll make an appointment, if not you didn't need to waste your time.

 

[me again]

I really think clarifying the three-bedroom thing would help at least get people to look. Right now your listing looks like its a 2 bedroom, even though it restates as a 3 bedroom later on in the listing, most people would stop reading after seeing the 2 bedroom, might not even come up in a search.

Good luck, you have a nice house!

 

[ELLE-TN]

myzoejane - I think your house is just grand. It looks nice from the inside and out. I'd love to hear that all of those who are having the same difficult time with selling have sold by the end of the weekend. Please everyone keep us posted. I will too of course.

I would love to post pic's for you guys to critique but I am not sure how to do that. Sorry.

 

[knovak]

I'll post a link and if there's a problemI am sure it will be taken down. It's not like I am trying to sell my house here!

www.1135cermak.com

Hit me with your best shots. I think this website stinks and the photos DH took are not very flattering, but you can get the gidt of what we're working with. Unfortunately, he chose not to put photos of the bedrooms up because they are very small. My argument was it seems like we are trying to hide something by not including photos of every room.

We have a guy coming to look tomorrow morning and I am about to get to work on clearing even MORE stuff out. I've got three huge bins out... one for DD to put toys in (which were in her closet before), one for the bathroom to get everything out of the closet except for the barest essentials, and one for cupboards in the kitchen. Too much in those cabinets, too.

Very nice house - even though you say it's old - it looks well taken care of and has great curb appeal. I would say you should put away some of the items on your kitchen counter - like the stand mixer - if you don't use it everyday. It will make it look more spacious. Also I was given the suggestion to make sure I put away all garbarge cans, soap bottles, etc. in the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms. I guess the whole clean slate theory. You may want to put the at least 1 picture of a bedroom and or bathroom, even the studio. Good luck tomorrow morning with your showing - pixie dust your way!

 

[loveabargin]

I know nothing about your area, pricing, etc. Assuming your price is right on, I would play up the studio as a FEATURE. If I were you, I would paint those kitchen cabinets white or off white and leave the walls that cranberry color OR paint the walls a lighter, more neutral color (taupe, light olive, etc). Any money you spend on paint will come back to you ten fold, and it's really SO CHEAP (compared to other things you could do).

I'm no expert, but friends have asked me to help them pick colors for their homes quite a bit. It's one of my favorite things to do (decorate).

 

[disneyde]

Hit me with your best shots. I think this website stinks and the photos DH took are not very flattering, but you can get the gidt of what we're working with. Unfortunately, he chose not to put photos of the bedrooms up because they are very small. My argument was it seems like we are trying to hide something by not including photos of every room.

We have a guy coming to look tomorrow morning and I am about to get to work on clearing even MORE stuff out. I've got three huge bins out... one for DD to put toys in (which were in her closet before), one for the bathroom to get everything out of the closet except for the barest essentials, and one for cupboards in the kitchen. Too much in those cabinets, too.[/QUOTE]



My impressions......I agree not having photos of very many rooms gives the impression you are trying to hide that they are small..........I would also as someone else suggested list it as 3 bedroom to catch the people who using that in their search criteria.

1. I love the red kitchen BUT it has limited appeal....not everyone is going to like it and most people know it is more work to cover a dark color than a light one........LIGHT neutral colors ie eggshell (yes it may be dull) but it SELL's houses that's why most model homes are kept neutral...it make spaces look bigger and buyers know they can live with them until they decide what color THEY want to make it.......If you decide to keep it then you just have to wait for the right person will have to see it.......If you keep the red on the walls which is a contemporary color you need to think about changing the hardware on the cabinets from ceramic to a more modern metal finish.

2. The second thing I would say about the kitchen is clear the counters you have a microwave, a old fashions coffee grinder, a toaster oven, olive oils, liquid dish soap (disguis this in a hand soap dispenser like you would have in the bathroom, a blender and a bread box all out........the big items make it look like there is less counter space.....you might not be able to live without the microwave but how about the other things.......I would move the microwave to the island where the breadbox is it is a bigger space and would not look like it is taking up the whole counter in that space?

3. Overall your curb appeal is great on the outside....... but rent a storage unit and store the big kids stuff that is taking up patio space.....also the impression is a lot of green green house, green grass, green trees you need color........ plant vibrant flowers if you haven't already.....the pots out front without anything in them detract and if they aren't matching they are distracting to the eye.

4. Paint outdated paneling.....you would be amazed at what a big difference this can make to the apperance of a room......it looks fresh, bigger and the darkness disappears.

 

[emh1129]

We're going through the same process right now. We listed our home almost two weeks ago and we have had one showing. There may be another one this weekend, but we're not sure yet.
I just hope we can sell before the summer is over!
It's so hard to keep the house in showing-ready condition all the time. Or even once a day The kids just seem to undo whatever I do.