One year ago, I wrote a post entitled, "Premature Listing Syndrome - NH Stager Cautions Home Sellers." I feel a need to revisit this subject.
I understand there are situations where a sale is "needed" in a timely manner. I understand there is a "hot" selling season and a small window of opportunity to take advantage of it. The need for speed - I get it.
What I don't understand is what is to be gained with the decision to list before the house is ready? It seems that getting it on the market is the driving force.
Is bad exposure now, really better than good exposure in a couple of weeks?
So it's on the market sooner...
you don't get as many calls or serious buyers because the photos are not appealing.
The showings you do get, only confirm that buyers want move-in ready.
All you seem to gain is days on market.
If time is such an issue...shouldn't you be making the best of it?
Exposing the house to buyers before it is ready is like showing up for a job interview in pajamas and slippers, brushing your teeth. Why should you expect a positive reaction to the fact you are not prepared?
So, which is it? What's more important when selling your house,
getting it on the market or getting it SOLD?
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Very good points! I have to get outta my PJs I have a listing appointment! lol
My goal is absolutely positively to get the home sold. 1. list 2. sell
Phillip: Thanks. You don't wear pj's to your appointments? How sad.
John: Thanks for the comment!
Hi Sharon
You are right on target, the home needs to be ready, when it's placed on the market, there is no second first impression.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Amen Sharon. I did put one on the market this week with bad stairway carpeting, but they are going in to see about buying new tomorrow, and the rest of the house is good. Also - 4th of July is our biggest time of year at the lake. Needed to make the deadline for the Parade of Homes Magazine for July.
Lou: Thank you! I appreciate the support!
Joan: As long as the rest of the house is good, and they are going to change the carpet...I understand your deadline to make it into the magazine. Now if the house were in bad shape, it wouldn't make any sense to me to put it in the Parade of Homes at all. Thanks for commenting!
Aaaahhhh, Sharon!!! I think that problem is so prevalent. That, and wanting to get the house "staged" in under a week, when what they're really talking about is a long laundry list of repairs and upgrades, to include major repainting. I keep wondering how we can better educate consumers on the importance of getting started early in preparing a home for the market. I, too, do not understand the rush to get a home listed ASAP when a couple of weeks would make all the difference in getting key things accomplished.
Andrea: You feel my pain! You are confused just like I am! It's good to know I'm not alone...thank you for validating!
Sharon, this so reminded me of that haste makes waste line. Do it right or do it over and it takes even more time.
Sharon, this so reminded me of that haste makes waste line. Do it right or do it over and it takes even more time.
Gary: Good point! Do it right the first time!
Gary is one wise Realtor! Can we shout it from the mountains!! Great blog article Sharon.
Good time to bring this up again. We need to get the word out
You hit it on the head Sharon! Why not wait a few extra days and have it show well the first time? Doesn't make sense to me - I am constantly preaching about getting started early and giving yourself plenty of time! Great post - hopefully people are taking it to heart!
That comes out of my mouth at least once a week! Rush Rush Rush, wait. Let's do it right from the beginning and it will sell instead of sitting sitting sitting.
Cathy: Yes, Gary is wise and yes, let's shout. All together now...
Virginia: Probably more often than once a year would be better! Thanks!
Sheila: Keep right on preaching, eventually it has to sink in! It just seems so obvious.
Kym: We are all on the same page on this. It is frustrating, isn't it! Thanks!
Hey Sharon, wise advice you've given. It's something I repeat to every client! Loved your line, 'premature listing syndrome'.
Cynthia: Thanks! I always love to see your adorable picture in my comment section!
More sage advice, Sharon. I continue to be surprised by the number of people who don't want to wait until they are really ready before they list. I try to encourage my clients to not even have realtors in until everything is ready to go and ready to show. The ones who take this advice are the ones with the best results selling quickly for a good price.
Thankfully, I have one smart seller who is taking his time preparing his home before listing, he is making some major updates, and I don't mind the wait, I am excited!
Mary: Some sellers just don't understand. Like you said, the ones who do, have better results. Thank you for the reinforcement!
Rebecca: I would be excited too! Those sellers are the best and you are lucky to be working with him.
Sharon, of course I totally concur and love this blog post. Here's what more than one agent has said when I commented on exactly this subject...if I take the listing there is a period of time when I have to put it into MLS and since our MLS requires at least one photo...they do it. They are so consumed with their competition beating them to get the listing that they don't see the faulty thinking. They get those GA (gosh awful)photos into MLS and then they don't even update them IF the house gets pulled together. I know of only ONE agent, in my area, that is confident enough in his ability to get a listing that he tells people that he won't put their signature on the listing until the house is ready. IT'S SAD in all respects and for everybody involved! (....can you tell it's one of my BIG issues here, (-:)
It's seems people are more interested in getting it on the market, big mistake if it's not ready. Great post!
Great post Sharon. I don't know how many times I go through situations like this. It is very frustrating.
Ginger: It seems I've struck a nerve! I've heard that too. They must get the photos online within so many days of listing. I'm really impressed with the agents who are confident enough to wait until the house is ready before listing.
Cindy: Do it right, right from the beginning...it can save stress and frustration for all involved. Thanks.
Debra: Misery loves company...we can all relate! Thanks!
Sharon, your pictures are worth a thousand words. I have a listing right now with wallpaper and I have been beating my head against a wall trying to get her to change it out. This has made me rethink even taking a listing with outdated wallpaper.
Marchel: Whatever her reasons are for not wanting to change the paper...tell her that buyers will feel the same way. Too expensive...too much work...doesn't have time...whatever her reason is, the potential buyers won't want to do it either...and they will pick another house that doesn't involve dealing with wallpaper. Show her the pictures and ask her which house she thinks will sell faster. Good luck, I know how frustrating it is!
Premature Listing Syndrome. PLS for short. I like that. A simple typo transforms it into PMS, but that would leave out the guys, and I know quite a few guys here who have a case of PLS and possibly PMS, too!
Russell: That's funny! Thanks so much for the laugh!
Excellent post! Yes, lots suffer from PLS, and there isn't a thing we can do about it! How about when you are hired to stage AFTER it is listed, AND been photographed, and the photos don't get changed? GRRRRRRRR
Cheryl: Thank you! Yes, I've been there, done that. After the staging I gave the realtor new photos to use and for months I noticed they were never updated. What's the point? It's maddening!
Sharon, you are so right. stager's dilemma - balancing the desire for a quick listing and sale in the realtor's mind, with presenting the best photos of the property. Sometimes the stager is caught in the middle. It is the homeowner who suffers the result of rushing the process.
Wendy: If they could just stop and take a breath and make sure their ducks are all in a row first, the house could be ready before it's listed. Thanks for commenting.