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Why Good Houses Don t Sell
hen a house doesn't sell
as quickly as expected, The number one reason that a
it's easy (for the owner house doesn't sell quickly is
anyway) to lay the blame on a that it's priced above its true
soft real estate market, or a market value. I don't care what
lousy selling season. After all, your real estate appraisal says,
neither of those things are the or how much you need to get for
seller's faults, nor under the the house, or how much you
seller's control. The fact is, invested in improvements - the
though, that 90% of the time when only real measure of your house's
a house doesn't sell quickly, true market value is what people
it's due to problems that are are willing to pay for it.
within the control of the home's
owner. And that's good news. It The best way to figure that out
means that they're fixable - and is to find out how much people
once they're fixed, the house have been willing to pay for
should sell quickly. similar houses in your
neighborhood. Once you know that,
If your house has been on the you can logically calculate a
market and isn't getting the price for your own house based on
attention and offers that you the market price for similar
expected, it may be time to houses. Keep in mind, though,
reevaluate a few things. Here are that any time you price your home
several potential reasons that more than 5% above the typical
good houses typically don't sell price in your neighborhood,
well. Go through the list and see you're taking a very real risk of
if your home fits into one of pricing yourself out of the
them. market.
Priced Above Market Poor Photo
If you're not getting calls at You may be losing sales before
all from people interested in potential buyers even set foot in
seeing the house you're selling, the door. Take a walk across the
it may be the fault of the street and look at your house
photograph of your home in the from the curb. That's the first
MLS brochure or web site. While view that people get of your
some realtors will encourage house as they approach it from
prospective buyers to take a look the street. If the lawn is shaggy
because 'the picture doesn't do and overgrown, or the house is
it justice', most buyers won't badly in need of a coat of paint,
even call about a house that buyers will be wondering what
doesn't look good in the else hasn't been taken care of
brochure. over the years.
Invest in a professional Make sure that your house looks
photographer to get the best good from the curb. Make sure
possible picture of your house. that shutters are firmly
If there's a time of day that it attached, paint is fresh and the
looks its best, arrange to take lawn and bushes are well-trimmed.
the picture then, and be sure to The better your house looks on
crop the photo to show the house the outside, the more likely you
at its most flattering. That are to get prospective buyers to
photo is very likely to be the step inside.
first look that prospective
buyers get at your house. You Dirty House
want it to make a great first
impression. If the house is dirty, cluttered
or smells of old tobacco smoke
Terrible Curb Appeal and pet odors, it will be
difficult to find a buyer. Very live with pet odors, cigarette
few people want to buy a dirty smoke and mildew smells all the
house. Like a house that appears time, you may not notice them -
neglected from the outside, a but potential buyers will. Even
house that isn't taken care of if it's not consciously noted, a
inside will make buyers wonder house that doesn't smell good has
what they're getting themselves a subtle psychological effect
into. No one wants to spend their that can kill a sale before it
first week in a new house gets started.Odors have to be
cleaning up after the old owners. attacked at the source. Take down
curtains and wash them with a
fresh-smelling fabric softener
Clean up your act before you before re-hanging. Get rid of
start showing the house. Get rid musty smelling carpets, and stop
of personal belonging or stow smoking inside your house.
them out of sight. De-clutter
counters, tabletops and walls. If you're not certain what it is
The fresher and cleaner your about your house that's keeping
house is, the better prospective it from buying, ask your realtor
buyers will feel about buying it. to get feedback from those who
come to see it. Keep track of
their comments to help you put
Unbearable Odors your finger on just what you need
to do to make your house more
Odors are one of the most appealing.
insidious deal killers. If you
About the Author:
Andrew is the web owner of "Home Buying and Selling Guide: How to buy and sell a house fast!", a website that provides informational guide on home selling and buying, mortgage loan, foreclosure, real estate investment and more. You can visit his website at: http://www.buy-and-sell-house-fast.com/
Source: www.isnare.com
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