The Age Old Question In Real Estate...Why Aren't We Getting Offers?

The age old question in real estate...." Why aren't we getting offers? "The answer usually involves price, condition and/or location. Many times the answer is obvious with obvious action required.If it's price, lower it.If it's condition, improve it, or lower the price accordingly.If it's location...you wait for the right buyer or you lower the price accordingly.All roads seem to lead to price reduction as the solution.  I would like to suggest a premeditated solution...the preventative strike against price reductions is a Home Staging Consultation.  Home stagers use presentation, visual and emotional appeal, to increase perceived value...preparing and presenting the product so it sells as fast and for as much as possible. It's a rare home that doesn't need some amount of improvement prior to listing.Without proper preparation how can you expect buyers to believe the house has been well maintained and worth the asking price? " Why aren't we getting offers? " Several years ago I did a staging consult for a seller, and shortly after her house sold, she hired me for advice on her new home.This past summer the same client and her husband hired me to help select paint colors and offer some advice on minor improvements they were considering.This week Mrs. Seller contacted me once again.They had decided to build a new home and three weeks ago put their house on the market.  After two well-attended open houses and five showings they haven't received an offer.She asked me to view the listing in hopes of figuring out why no offers. I checked the listing and two small bedrooms had bold paint colors and crowded furniture. Other than that the pictures looked good to me.It's a beautiful home. It shows well online.They have received calls for showings, so price must be ok.There hasn't been any feedback indicating any issues.My thoughts: buyers are seeing something once they get inside.I offered to stop by for a quick walk through.  I thought the house showed well, but looking more closely...There are cat doors installed in most of the interior doors. (Great for buyers with cats. Not so great if buyers don't have cats.)The hardwood floor in the foyer is worn and scratched and should be refinished.The carpet in several rooms and going up the stairs has stains.Many of the doors are in need of fresh paint.There is an obvious, poorly-done ceiling patch (previous water leak) in the bathroom. Certainly any one of these things alone wouldn't keep buyers from making an offer on a house they otherwise love. But, added all together, these things could represent extra work and money that buyers are not willing to invest.Even worse, buyers may be under the impression that the house has not been well maintained... and assuming that other areas, like electrical and plumbing, have also been neglected. As a professional, I wish they had consulted with me and made some improvements prior to listing. But who really knows...an offer could come this week without any changes being made.We will never know what difference my suggestions prior to listing could have made.  One thing is certain though... Much like getting only one chance to make a great first impression,You only get one chance to create value in the eyes of buyers.

Sharon TaraRETIREDHome Staging Professional Portsmouth, Dover, Durham,Barrington and Rochester areas. Creative & unique solutions...one room at a time About Me          My Blog What Is Home Staging? Home Staging FAQ

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