Many sellers are incapable of seeing their house from a buyer's perspective and remain clueless as to why there haven't been any showings or offers. If you are serious about selling your house, you need to ask yourself this question, "Who would want to buy my old shoes?"
Over the years, a house becomes victim to the lifestyle of it's occupants. Furniture ends up arranged for comfort and convenience. Maintenance falls behind due to lack of money, time or motivation. Vacations and expenses are priority over home improvement projects. For most homeowners, with stressful schedules, and busy lifestyles, home decor and style are at the bottom of their priority list.
To the outside world, the house may be dated and worn...to the homeowner inside, it's safe and comfortable and has served them well.
It's like your favorite, most comfortable shoes...
they are comfortable because they have been worn and stretched and molded to fit your feet.
They may be priceless to you for their comfort, but they are worthless to anyone else.
No one wants to wear your used old shoes.
The more evidence there is of your life, spread throughout the house, the less likely buyers will be able to visualize the house as theirs.
The stronger your presence in the house, the more "used" the house feels.
The more used it feels, the less valuable it becomes.
Offer buyers a clean, new looking shoe instead of a worn, used one and they will be more willing to try it on.
And you know what they say...
If the shoe fits...
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Great analogy! And how true it is. I actually had a customer tell me that the way she buys shoes is looking at every pair in every store in the city. I quickly realized this is how she intended to home shop and I knew I was in for troule. Luckily we under contract, unfortunately it is a short sale and we may end up going back to all the shoe stores in Palm Coast, Florida!
An Marshall, REALTOR
Prudential Network Realty
Extremely Full Service
Ranked #1 for Seller Satisfaction, by JD Power & Associates
www.AnMarshallOnTheMove.com
view my blog
Sharon,
Great advice. Don't forget about outside 'staging'. If you can't get them in the door, what's the point?
Susan
The Garden Hoe
An: Your client sounds like a shopoholic! Thanks for the comment.
Susan: Love the "garden hoe" name. Very memorable. I never forget the outside, very important! Thanks for the comment!
Love this analogy - it is so true. If only sellers would listen! I am glad you found time to post today! It is a gem as always!
YEAH!!! You did it! Congrats on 100,001 points!!! AWESOME JOB!!!!!
Sheila: You put me over...I couldn't be happier that it was you that gave me the points I needed! Thanks for being there at just the right moment. YEAH!!
Oh by the way, I was in the grocery store today at checkout and actually looked to see if they had the $100,000 candy bar, as you suggested, and they did not. Just as well, I've had more sugar than I should today already anyways.
Sharon-love it love it! Great post-I am going to re-blog it!
Debra: Thanks! I love that you love it!
Sharon - that is funny about the grocery store. I was trying to think earlier today about who I could get to deliver one to you today, but came up empty. Enjoy your success - I am glad I could be a part of it!
Well they say,.... "If the shoe fits wear it!" This post is going to be memorable. First I have say congratulations on making your 100,001 milestone and with very classy post to boot! I love the analogy of shoes and comfort. Well done Sharon!
Thanks, Jess
PS. .....With this comment I just hit 6,010!
Fanstastic analogy! I happen to be a shoe-a-holic so I really loved this post!
Eeuu...someone else's shoes. NOT. I love this analogy Sharon. Since you posted it here I hope that means that you don't mind if we use it as yet another way to to get the point across.
Sharon ~ what a great post! I love the old shoe analogy. I don't even want my own old shoes. But these days its a challenge to find the time to shoe shop. Thanks for sharing.
Sheila: How sweet are you! Just knowing that you wanted to do that is good enough!
Jess: Great play on words there! Thanks for the support and the comment. Congrats on 6000...it will be 25,000 before you know it!
Cathy: I'm a shoe-aholic wanna be. I would own hundreds of pairs, if my feet weren't so particular...very sensitive and hard to fit. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks.
Ginger: By all means...use away. I'm happy you find it worthy of repeating.
Mary: If you can't find the time, you must be very busy...that is good! Save up all that mucho dinero and you can buy even more when you do have the time!
Hi Sharon!
It's very important to make your house as nuetral as possible. I educate all my sellers before I take a listing about making your house nuetral. Great post, and fun pictures! :)
-Lisa
Lisa: Keep on educating! The ones who listen are the ones who sell! Thanks!
GReat analogy Sharon! I love it! I think I'll borrow this analogy for my BNI meeting tomorrow morning if you don't mind! :-)
Karen: Go for it! I will probably use it next week. My meeting was this morning and I already had something else to talk about. Let me know what you come up with and how it goes.
Hi Sharon, very accurate statement and an analogy that really hits home with folks! No pun intended! Everyone can envision an old shoe and most likely the response will be ewwwww! :)
Robyn: I know when I see used shoes at yard sales or consignment shops, I think it's nasty. I thought people could relate to the concept. Glad you agree. Thanks for the comment.
Sharon,
As I was reading your blog, I thought, what a great analogy. I immediately looked down at my feet and saw my favorite pair of worn flip-flops. Hits home!
So true, I love putting on comfortable clothes as soon as I get home, it just makes me feel better. Great analogy and photo!
Love shoes and love the analogy. I think I will keep a new pair of shoes with me for consulations. I will ask them to show me their favourite pair of shoes and place them side by side and ask your question.... I know you love your favourite pair and you have great memories associated with them. But would you pay more for the old tired looking pair than the new ones if you didn't have all the associated memories. It just might convince those that are resistant to making changes.
I think I will go out today and buy a pair for the home I am staging tomorrow and they are resistant to update the very '70's lighting a carpet. No, this is not just another excuse to go out and buy another pair of shoes for those of you who know me well. This is serious marketing.
Kathy S: That's funny, you related the analogy immediately to your flip flops! Awesome! Thank you for commenting.
Cindy: We all love comfort. If only we could have the best of both worlds...it's unfortunate we have to sacrafice comfort for appearance.
Michelle: Fabulous! Thanks for taking my post to a whole new level. The in-home demo...I love the idea. I have a consult tomorrow morning, I will have to make sure I have some brand new shoes too! This could be a good thing for the shoe industry...we just may help the economy!
Sharon I am a HUGE fan of analogies. A verbal "picture" tells a story that stays in our minds long after the stats have left! Great post!
Love the great analogy. Making the home fit the new buyer. like it.
Tessa: I'm a HUGE fan of your comment! Thanks. I love "verbal picture" phrase.
Isabel: Fit like a glove, I mean shoe! Thanks!
Very well put and what a great way to get the point across to homeowners. Thanks so much for posting that. I love it.
Hi Sharon, the more ways we can say it the better - as others already said, analogies are great for helping others get the message! Love the shoe house photo!
Chrissie: Thank you. I hope it helps sellers to better understand. Glad you like it.
Karen: I am a fan of the analogy! Hopefully this one will make people think twice about the condition of their product for sale. Thanks!
Wow - What a great post, Sharon! I love the shoe analogy. The image it creates is just perfect. Laraine
Laraine: Coming from such a skilled writer, that is a great compliment. Thanks!