Several months ago many New Hampshire sellers took their houses off the market or let their listings expire, intending to relist in the Spring.
Spring is fast approaching.
If you are one of those sellers whose first attempt at finding a buyer was a failure, you may want to consider a different approach this time.
As Dr. Phil would say, "you need to do an autopsy of your past experience" in order to avoid the same negative outcome.
Before you list your house, take a good hard look at what you did the first time and what you need to do differently this time in order to achieve a more successful result.
Evaluate your Realtor's performance and determine whether you should relist with them or find a new Realtor. This is tricky...Sellers tend to blame poor results on the Realtor, when they are not the responsible factor. You need to be honest...did they recommend home staging and you didn't go along with it? Did they tell you your price was too high and you didn't listen? Maybe the problem wasn't the Realtor, maybe it was you not taking their professional advice.
Consider Price and Condition more seriously this time. Your price will determine which buyers will consider your house. Price is not to be determined by what you need to get or what you want to get. Price is determined by the market and your competition on the market.
Condition will determine whether buyers will make an offer. It is what sets you apart from the competition. It's what makes you memorable.
Price puts you in the pool, condition determines whether you get to swim.
Do not list until the house is 100 % Show Ready. The first two weeks is when you have your best shot at getting closest to your asking price. You want to make the best possible impression at this time.
Most buyers start their search for a new home on the Internet. It is crucial that your house has an appealing online presence. The pictures used for the MLS will determine how many calls for showings you receive.
If you intend to list your house for the Spring market, you need to start preparing it now.
For more detailed information on preparing your house for sale :
Home Staging Advice Made Simple - Step 1 - How To Declutter
Create Sensory Appeal With Home Staging
Home Staging Tip - Hiding Those Ugly Cell Phone Chargers
Moving The Furniture Could Mean Moving Out Sooner
If You Are Serious About Selling, Don't Try Home Staging
Home Staging 101...The Big Furniture Goes In The Bigger Room
When It Comes To Wrapping, How Does Your Package Measure Up?
Good News: Home Staging Is Not A Common Practice In NH
What A Difference A Light Makes
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Great advice, Tara! We have a bid out right now to stage a property that will be re-listed in mid-March. The first time around the selling price was a bit unrealistically high and the home needed to be staged. The seller is working with the same agent who suggested a lower asking price and staging. She recommended this the first time around in the fall, but now they are listening!
Diana: Funny how time on the market without an offer will make them suddenly listen to the advice! I hope you get the job and post about it! Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for the creative post, Sharon! Yeah, sometimes we all need to look back and ask the question, "So...how's that working for ya?"
Leslie: Thanks! Way to go with the Dr. P quote!
As Dr. P. would say-homeowners need to get REAL! Awesome post Sharon!
I LIKE this! It puts the responsibility back on the client. And I like the pool reference: Price puts you in the pool, and condition determines whether you get to swim. Good job!
Hi Sharon - Congratulations on your win over in Carnival of Consumer Content! I remember telling you back when you wrote your post what a great job you did:)
Cathy: Thanks! "Failure is no accident." Another Dr. P quote that fits here.
Pat: Thanks, I appreciate the comment. The client does need to take responsibility. "You can't change what you don't acknowledge." (Dr. P Quote #5)
Suzanne: Thank you very much! I appreciated it then, I appreciate it now!
Great information Sharon. Proper evaluation as to why the home may have not sold the first time is crucial, so that you do not end up with the same results the second time. The tips you outlined all have great impact on selling the home. Often, there is room for improvement in several areas.
So True. I have a client listed right now that did not listen to the Realtor in regards to price and took the advice of her painter on the listing price. After 30 days, the Realtor was berated for not doing his job. Hmmmm...... like you say, the client has to step up to the plate and examine their part in this equation.
Great advise Sharon. Thanks for backing us with the decision to make price reductions. Often times we are blamed for a home not selling, when in reality it was our professional opinions that were not taken into account.
I agree, this spring would be a great time for many to relist and take the extra time and effort to stage to sell. If I have the chance, I'll be calling on your services soon!
Michele H: A realtor once told me that they prefer to get a listing that has already been on the market and failed because the sellers have a more realistic attitude and are more willing to listen to the advice and take it seriously. It's so unfair to the first agent, who tried to give them the same advice.
Michelle F: It is unfortunate when people find it easier to make excuses and blame others rather than really be honest about the situation. Why would you take price advice from a painter over a realtor? The painter was telling them what they wanted to hear, while the realtor was telling them the reality. People don't always like to hear reality.
Bill: You are very welcome. It's the truth. You are the easy one to blame, so they do, rather than admit they screwed up. I'm not sure why, but sellers do take the advice of stagers more willingly than from the realtor. I've had realtors tell me after a client completes the to-do list I gave them, that they had suggested some of the same things and the seller wouldn't do them.
I would love the opportunity to work with you some day. At the very least, we should get together for a coffee. Portsmouth may be "over the bridge" but it isn't the other side of the world!
Sharon - I love the swimming analogy! Your posts are so well put together and informative. I have this one bookmarked so I can share with clients and realtors all of your good advice. Thanks for your time and effort!
Interest blog today, very informative.I will read this over again . Thanks for the post today.
Portsmouth NH Real Estate
Sheila: You are so kind! Thank you! I don't know where that swimming analogy came from. I hope this post helps your clients and realtors.
Patricia: You are welcome! Thanks for the comment!
Great post that every Realtor and home seller should have.
Let's make a plan to get together sometime. I would enjoy that. Portsmouth is not that far for me...... I kid everyone all the time about "going over the bridge", but I did it for many years at several positions I held in various restaurants. I'll talk to you soon!
Cindy: Thank you, from your lips to all those realtors and sellers ears!
Bill: I look forward to it!